Abstract: A refractory block assembly for a steam reformer furnace tunnel includes a hollow main body portion having at least one through-hole having openings formed in a first side and an opposed second side of the hollow main body portion. At least one refractory insert member, having mechanical mating features on at least a portion of the outer surface thereof, resides within at least one of the at least one through-hole of the hollow main body portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a frame brick (10) having a brick body (12) made of composite material and which is in hollow box form and which comprises at least one type of fiber and at least one type of resin, and at least one connection extension (15) which is one-piece with said brick body (12) and which provides connection to another structure element with the same characteristics. As an improvement, at least one cutout (201) is provided at least partially in the direction of the height of the brick body (12) on at least one of two wall surfaces (20) extending mutually on a brick length section (19) of the brick body (12).

Abstract: A set of building components of a mechanically secured block building system for constructing structures include a plurality of trough blocks. Each trough block has an interior cavity characterized by a U-shaped cross section and a pair of oppositely disposed inner ledges recessed relative to top surfaces of opposing outer walls. A bottom of each trough block includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. In an assembled configuration of the trough blocks, the trough blocks are mechanically secured in an end-to-end arrangement and the interior cavities align to define a continuous pipe channel therethrough.

Abstract: A wall module assembly usable to make interchangeable scenery, the module comprising a first support member having a first end, a second end, a first main surface, and a second main surface, a second support member having a first end, a second end, a first main surface, and a second main surface, a plurality of panel members interchangeably and removably supported by at least one of the first support member and the second support member, adjacent at least one of the first main surface and the second main surface of the first and/or second support member, and a plurality of connection members supported by the first end of the first support member and configured to be removably received within openings formed in the second end of the second support member positioned adjacent to the first support member.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: In a concrete structure, consisting of at least two upright precast concrete elements (1, 1?), it is intended to develop the butt joints between the precast concrete elements in such a way that forces can be absorbed better in at least two directions. For this purpose, it is proposed that at least two tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9; 5, 10) are provided in the region of at least one butt joint (2, 2?) between the precast concrete elements (1, 1?), wherein one of the tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9) is arranged such that it is turned with respect to the second tongue-and-groove connection (5, 10) in a range between about 1° and about 179°, and wherein the butt joint (2, 2?) is of an offset form, and the tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9; 5, 10) are provided in the regions of the offset that run substantially parallel to the surface (3) of the precast concrete elements (1).

Abstract: A variable-geometry modular structure made of a metallic or plastic alloy, having at least one modular element with variable-geometry, with a honey-comb structure, to be joined to different modular components to obtain different embodiments. The modular element has a series of passages in which vacuum is created when manufacturing, through molding or extrusion, the modular element itself; the above modular element is a structural element and has at the same time insulating characteristics. The external surfaces of the modular element have a series of recesses and ribs, shaped as a dovetail, that allow mutually joining two or more elements. Modular elements can further be butt-joined by using posts arranged next to the passages. The modular element can be joined to a panel which has a substantially smooth or a corrugated external surface, which is used for applying plaster or other finishing elements, such as any type photovoltaic panels or tiles.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

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: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge locking system has a tongue made in one piece with the panel.

Abstract: A corner block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two spaced-apart side sections that jointly define a through-cavity that extends through the block from a top face thereof to a bottom face. Upper protrusions are provided on the top face of the block, and lower protrusions are provided inside the cavity at the bottom of the block. The upper and lower protrusions are configured and arranged relative to one another so that when two corner blocks are stacked one atop another with one block rotated 90 degrees relative to the other, the upper protrusions of the lower block interlock with the lower protrusions of the upper block to interlock the two blocks. The corner blocks are constructed in two variants, a corner block A and a corner block B, which are mirror images or opposite hands of each other. The corner blocks A and B are alternately stacked upon one another to construct a 90-degree corner of a segmental retaining wall or other wall structure.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: Floor panels are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge locking system has a tongue made in one piece with the panel.

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: In an embodiment of the present invention, the foregoing is addressed by providing a combination retaining wall structure and masonry form apparatus comprising a first block having a depending lip with non-linear edge, a second block having an upper surface with a recess presenting an inwardly facing edge, the second block being positioned with respect to a rotational axis through the first block. A zone of contact is located at the intersection of the inwardly facing edge and the outwardly facing edge, providing an area for rotation of the first block about the rotational axis of the second block. The first and second blocks forming a non-linear masonry wall structure having an upright axis, about which plural blocks may be rotated. The depending lip and recess being provided by a masonry form having a first, second, third and fourth sides, the first and second sides being removable for interchangeably configuring the first and second block.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: An improved building panel is presented to make wall surface assemblies on structural building frames. The edge-sealed building panel includes with self-aligning features between adjacent horizontal edges for quick mating and assembly. The building panels have protuberant upper edges mate with grooves on the lower edges for improved sealing and weatherproofing, due to the interlocking shape and the use of compliant seals between the edges. The horizontal mating edge shapes enable pivoting assembly by engaging the building panel obliquely and swinging it onto the wall surface. Vertical mating surfaces with compliant seals are shaped to engage perpendicularly to the wall plane, so that the compliant seals clamp shut without in-plane relative motion, improving seal integrity.

Abstract: Vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements (1) with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape, as seen from above. The floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2) which are provided with joining members (20), a lower side (5) and a decorative top surface (3). The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements (1), which types comprises female floor elements (1?) and male floor elements (1?). The female floor element (1?) is provided with a female joining member (21) on at least half of the number of its edges (2) and a male joining member (22) on less than half of the number of its edges (2). The male floor element (1?) is provided with a male joining member (22) on at least two thirds of the number of its edges (2) and a female joining member (21) on less than one third of the number of its edges (2.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dressing marginal areas of externally viewable surfaces of a building block. The apparatus includes at least one chipper having rotational axis and a plurality of outwardly extending teeth randomly disposed thereabout. The chipper is positioned and oriented so that its teeth may effectively work a predetermined marginal area of interest. As the predetermined marginal area of interest and the teeth of the chipper are brought into contact with each other, portions of the marginal area are randomly impacted and fractured to form an erose or jagged surface that resembles hand dressing. The apparatus may also include additional chippers, each having a rotational axis and a plurality of teeth randomly disposed thereabout.

Abstract: A concrete form unit includes opposing sidewalls which are preferably made of foamed plastic or other insulating material. Articulated spacers extend between and connect the sidewalls, and are capable of folding about themselves both at an elbow situated between the sidewalls, and also at their junctures with the sidewalls. The folding ability of the spacers allow the sidewalls to convert between a collapsed state wherein the sidewalls are in close adjacent relationship and the spacer links are oriented at least substantially parallel to each other and at least substantially parallel to the sidewalls, and an expanded state wherein the sidewalls are in distant spaced relationship with the spacer links being oriented at least substantially parallel to each other and at least substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls. The collapsed form unit therefore assumes an overall box-like shape, and therefore the collapsed form units are easily stored and shipped with minimal lost storage volume.

Abstract: A housing structure includes a first plurality of wall panels which form a lower course and a second plurality of wall panels which form an upper course. Each of the wall portions is generally rectangular and includes integrally formed interlocking portions which facilitate attachment of adjacent lateral edges of the wall portions of the first plurality to each other. Integrally formed interlocking portions facilitate attachment of the panels in the lower course to the panels in the upper course. In addition, rectangular roof panels are provided to enclose the housing structure. The interlocking portions enable the panels to slide into an interlocked engagement configuration thereby forming a rigid structure without the need for tools.

Abstract: A modular building system formed of blocks supported around a loadbearing pipe frame. The blocks include half cylinder protruding portions located at opposing ends of the blocks wherein the protruding portions of adjacent blocks form cylindrical fastener portions. Horizontally adjacent blocks form courses, and horizontal courses of blocks are stacked to form walls. The fastener formed by the protruding portions of a lower course extend through an aperture in the lower portion of blocks forming an upper course, and a retainer member is engaged with the fastener formed by the protruding portions to thereby lock an upper course block to two lower adjacent blocks. The retainer member is formed with a through hole for receiving a vertical pipe member in sliding engagement wherein the vertical pipe members carry vertical loads without substantially transmitting vertical loads to the blocks.

Abstract: A manufactured building system has a pair of pre-stressed multi-stemmed concrete floors. The pre-stressed multi-stemmed concrete floors are adapted to contact each other on one parallel side edge to form peripheral edges and a central joining edge. A part of a building is coupled to a pre-stressed multi-stemmed concrete floor. Also described is a Method of Transporting the pre-stressed multi-stemmed concrete floors with the partial building coupled there to, to a site. Also described is a Method of Manufacturing a pre-stressed multi-stemmed concrete floor.

Abstract: Vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements (1) with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape, as seen from above. The floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2) which are provided with joining members (20), a lower side (5) and a decorative top surface (3). The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements (1), which types comprises female floor elements (1?) and male floor elements (1?). The female floor element (1?) is provided with a female joining member (21) on at least half of the number of its edges (2) and a male joining member (22) on less than half of the number of its edges (2). The male floor element (1?) is provided with a male joining member (22) on at least two thirds of the number of its edges (2) and a female joining member (21) on less than one third of the number of its edges (2.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.

Abstract: A carriage house garage door (20) is formed from first, second, and third wood overlay sections (22, 24, 26). Each of the wood overlay sections (22, 24, and 26) includes first and second layers of sheet metal (46, 48) and an insulating core (50). The first layer of sheet metal (46) is bonded to a first side (52) of the insulating core (50) and the second layer of sheet metal (48) is bonded to the second side (54) of the insulating core (50). Wood siding (30) is coupled to the first layer of sheet metal (46) by bonding the wood siding (30) to the first layer (46) using an adhesive and by stapling the wood siding (30) to the first layer (46).

Abstract: Vertically joined flooring material comprising floor elements (1) with a mainly triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape, as seen from above. The floor elements (1) are provided with edges (2) which are provided with joining members (20), a lower side (5) and a decorative top surface (3). The flooring material comprises a combination of at least two types of floor elements (1), which types comprises female floor elements (1′) and male floor elements (1″). The female floor element (1′) is provided with a female joining member (21) on at least half of the number of its edges (2) and a male joining member (22) on less than half of the number of its edges (2). The male floor element (1″) is provided with a male joining member (22) on at least two thirds of the number of its edges (2) and a female joining member (21) on less than one third of the number of its edges (2.

Abstract: An insulating construction form consisting of a pair of spaced apart panels and a plurality of ties is applied to the building of structural walls. The tie members include pairs of resilient retainer arms, which define a series of adjacent receptacles. A reinforcing bar is typically inserted into the receptacles and its displacement therefrom is inhibited by abutment surfaces. Markings are positioned on each panel to guide the attachment of a cladding. In one aspect, the construction form serves for the formation of a corner, wherein a vertical rod is positioned for the attachment of the cladding. In another aspect, the panels includ a plurality of openings made at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening system for panels whose edges are provided complementary holding profiles which match one another in such a manner that further panels can be fastened to the free edges of a previously placed panel. The holding profiles of at least the long edges are configured as complementary positive-fit profiles, one of the profiles having a projection with a convex bottom edge, and the other profile having a recess with a concave bottom edge, such that the profiles may be interconnected by a pivoting motion. Such complementary design of the profiles enables the positive-fit profiles of the long edges of two panels to form a common joint which, when the panels are laid, enables bidirectional pivoting of the panels with respect to one another about a pivot axis that is parallel to the joined long edges of the panels.

Abstract: Floor covering, including hard floor panels (1) which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides (2-3, 26-27), are provided with coupling parts (4-5, 28-29), cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue (9-31) and a groove (10-32), wherein the coupling parts (4-5, 28-29) are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements (6) which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges (2-3, 26-27) and parallel to the underside (7) of the coupled floor panels (1).

Abstract: A floor tile, in particular a laminate panel, parquet element or such like, with an edge profile on at least two opposite edges in the form of a modified groove and tongue joint, is designed in such a way that there is a tongue 20, 30 and a groove 22, 26 on each of the said two edges. The edge profiles are contrived so that the adjacent tiles can be locked in place in relation to each other in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Tongue 20 on the first tile 10 and groove 22 in the second tile 12 rise upwards from the bottom of the tiles at an angle. Accordingly, the bottom wall of groove 26 in the first tile and the bottom outer surface of tongue 30 on the second tile 12 are also inclined at an angle, while the top surfaces of the groove and tongue are oriented horizontally or parallel to the plane of the tile.

Abstract: A modular system that includes a plurality of modular elements that can be coupled together in a hidden manner with respect to the visible side. The modules are formed as areal, frame-like or three-dimensional shaped parts and are freely combinable with one another. At least substantially flat modular elements or flat modular element regions have a plurality of mutually spaced apart coupling and fixing members that project beyond a boundary edge of the module. Insert grooves are provided at a rear side of the module for the shape-locked and force-transmitting reception of coupling and fixing members of adjacent modules.

Abstract: A utility shed is disclosed comprising modular side panels (30) which are connected together by corner connectors (26) and in-line connectors (28) to form sidewalls. The connectors (26, 28) have an I-beam cross section and comprise U-shaped ends (106, 80) which engage relatively wide channels (62, 64) to securely hold the wall panels together. A door assembly is provided for engaging the corner connectors (26) and include pivot pin members (202) which attached to the vertical channel (114) of corner connectors (26) and allow pivotal door panels (164) to be suspended therefrom. Floor panels (116, 118) and lid panels (154) are provided compatible with the I-beam edge configuration of the side panels (30) such that the lid, floor and sidewalls mutually interlock with high structural integrity. The modularity of the side panels (30) allow for enclosures of larger or smaller size to be created using the same panel componentry.