Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved refractory brick that provides many distinct advantages over prior art bricks. More particularly, the brick of the present invention facilitates the construction of an integral furnace lining that prevents the dislodgement or movement of individual bricks. The refractory brick of the present invention also provides a continuous refractory lining which affords improved lining lifetimes or furnace campaigns. Each brick comprises a refractory portion and a pair of steel portions. The steel portions are each contained within a recess formed along each of the major surfaces of the brick. The brick is utilized to form a refractory lining within a vessel wherein at least a part of the refractory portion of each brick is in contact with the refractory portion of adjoining bricks and the steel portions of each of the bricks is metallurgically bonded to the steel portions of adjoining bricks so as to provide an integral (monolithic) refractory wall.

Abstract: Glazed masonry building unit is provided for constructing a stanchion or turning a corner. The front face of each such masonry building unit is glazed with a resinous composition and is intended to be exposed. the front face comprises a planar portion, a first angled segment that intersects the planar portion at one end thereof to thereby form an obtuse angle, and a second angled segment that intersects the planar portion at the other end thereof to thereby form an obtuse angle. Also provided is a stanchion constructed of a plurality of the glazed masonry building units. Moreover, there is provided a mold for producing the glazed masonry building units.

Abstract: A building facade material generally includes a plurality of elongate stone strips and a plurality of backing strips adhered thereto with an elastic adhesive disposed between adjoining backing strips for enabling front sides of the elongate stone strips to abut one another when the backing strips are adhered to a curved surface. A method for preparing a stone facade for a curved surface, in accordance with the present invention, generally includes the steps of adhering a sheet of backing material to a sheet of stone, thereafter cutting the stone sheet with the adhesive backing sheet into elongate stone strips with elongate backing strips adhered thereto. Thereafter, the elongate backing strips are adhered to one another with an elastic adhesive. In addition, the stone strips and the backing strips may be beveled for enabling the backing sheets to be disposed on a curved surface, while distorting the elastic adhesive in order to cause the front sides of the stone elongate strips to abut one another.

Abstract: A wall for a rampart or building, consisting of a plurality of building blocks, each comprising slightly compacted sawdust or wood chips glued with resin. The building blocks are interconnected by a number of assembling pins and by recesses integral to the respective blocks, so as to frictionally engage into one another. There are also provided full length projections and corresponding grooves of the respective blocks for the same purposes. The thus erected structure is remarkable by the quality of the joints and by the ease and quickness of its assembly or disassembly.

Abstract: A hollow decorative object is disclosed which contains inside one or more novelty objects. The hollow decorative object is formed of a hard, but unfired clay material, that is capable of being cut to form an opening into the hollow decorative object through which the one or more novelty objects can be removed without destroying the hollow decorative object. The hollow object may be formed into the general shape of an egg having a flattened base region on which said hollow decorative object can stand without tipping over. The base region is formed having a thickness enabling the easy cutting of an aperture therein through which the one or more novelty objects can be removed from the hollow decorative object without otherwise damaging it.

Abstract: A method for increasing the durability of refractory linings in vessels having inclined areas or conical parts in their inside contour includes in fitting the refractory bricks obliquely following the inside contour of the vessel. The slant of the bricks is brought about step by step by several layers of machine-pressable turning bricks of known uniform density. This method makes it possible to obtain softer transitions from the horizontally laid bricks to the obliquely laid bricks.

Abstract: A wall corner composite comprising two glazed angled masonry building units. Each masonry building unit includes a glazed front face including a planar portion that is opposed a back face and a second segment that intersects the planar portion. The second segment forms an obtuse angle with the planar portion and has a length that is equal to or shorter than the length of the planar portion. A side face of the building unit is angled and intersects the second segment and the back face. This side face forms an obtuse angle with the back face and an angle with the second segment of the front face. Also provided is a mold and method for producing glazed masonry building units. In addition, a wall corner composite comprising one of the glazed angled masonry units and a mitred stretcher is provided. Also included is a masonry building unit for use in constructing a structurally reinforced corner that includes a cut out portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prestressed concrete slab and a method for preparing the slab. The slab comprises a corner post at each of its corners. The corner post comprises a cylindrical member; means of attaching and securing reinforcing members to the corner posts; means of attaching each slab to another slab; and means of tensioning the reinforcing members. The slab further includes a center post. The center post comprises a cylindrical member and means of attaching and securing reinforcing members to the center post. Reinforcing members are attached to the corner post and the center posts to connect each to the other. Concrete is set and cured between the corner posts and around the center post and the reinforcing members to form a slab.

Abstract: A concrete building block encapsulating a compacted bundle of tires is provided as a permanent environmentally safe container for used automobile tires. The cube of concrete with the tires in it forms an economically attractive light-weight building block that can be used for building fences, walls and other structures and/or disposed of in an efficient environmentally safe fashion to permanently encapsulate the tires and prevent contamination of the environment. A tapered central hole is provided in the block for material handling purposes and interlocking tapered recesses and pucks are provided for aligning multiple layers of blocks when used as a building material. Various sizes and shapes of blocks are disclosed.

Abstract: A mortarless building block system employs primary blocks with projection on the top sides and recesses on the bottom sides to lock different courses of primary blocks together in a wall. The primary blocks in one course are rotated by 180.degree. with respect to the primary blocks in the next course. Each primary block has a generally rectangular main portion and a bulbous portion of the same width as the main portion. The bulbous portion is joined to the main portion at one end thereof, and the other end of the main portion has a concave socket region which receives the bulbous portion of another primary block. The bulbous portion may be shaped as an incomplete regular dodecagon (12-sided polygon), irregular polygon, or cylinder. In addition to the primary blocks, the building block system includes covers for the top course of primary blocks and auxiliary blocks corresponding to the bulbous portions of the primary blocks.

Abstract: A method is provided for lining furnace walls with cement-like monolithic insulation linings wherein a plurality of wire hanger devices are welded to the furnace wall to be insulated in a predetermined spaced array with each of said studs having a free end projecting outwardly from the furnace wall;mounting a plurality of elongated stud extender members having a radial stop flange mounted thereon on the free ends of a portion of the end welded studs secured to the furnace wall with the free ends thereof projecting perpendicularly from the furnace wall and the radial stop flange disposed so as to provide a bearing surface with a substantially uniform level of spacing from the end mounted on the furnace wall;attaching a planar panel over a plurality of the elongated extender members projecting from the furnace wall and supporting the same on the extender members with the panel bearing on the radial stop flanges mounted on the stud extender members spaced from and substantially parallel to the furnace wall to be

Abstract: A building block, at least one face of which has a recessed surface along at least a portion of its periphery. The recessed surface is of non-uniform width and, at least in part, defines a surface of irregular shape. Each remaining face of the block has a surface of regular geometric shape facilitating laying of the block.

Abstract: A dampness-removing constituent unit for masonry systems, which is intended both for reclamation and for the prevention of dampness formation, in particular of rising dampness. The unit is made up of brick, tile or concrete, and consists, in succession from its upper surface, of a first layer of homogeneous brick or tile material, a layer of resin material, a second layer of brick or tile material and having a continuous top portion and a lower portion in which alternate longitudinal holes are provided which have in their upper portion longitudinal metallic bars (inserted into the constituent unit or connected to the same by supporting members) which are intended for priming the electroosmotic phenomenon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite masonry block comprising a substantially rectangular body having a bevelled surface and an interlocking flange. Also disclosed are structure made form the masonry block and methods of making the block.

Abstract: A method of fabricating stone-simulated articles including facings for substrates, involving roller-flattening mixtures of preferably polyester resins, curing agent, polyester-dispersed pigments, fumed silica (and other) filler and aluminum trihydrate filler into flat stone-pattern-simulating surfaces or slabs, maintaining the same sufficiently cool (as by refrigeration) to prevent curing until it is desired to use the same, and then applying to, and rolling over a substrate to be covered or faced, or otherwise forming the same into the desired article, and permitting to cure under the action of said curing agent, with the resulting product containing the stone-simulated pattern throughout.

Abstract: The Diagonal Grip Block of the present invention includes a reinforcing metal interwoven screen with "U" shape diagonal cut. Both ends are parallel in slant, cast in a concrete mixture. The metal screen protrudes from the limit of the concrete cast, forming vee shaped pins on the sides and bottom when contacting each other on a concrete surface. The vee shaped pins define the mortar thickness with a perfect bond. The core of the "U" shape is filled with insulation to alleviate the tension of the expansion and to moderate the temperature of the whole construction. This will also help the absorption of sound waves.

Abstract: A wall block set comprising frontal blocks, anchoring blocks and connecting blocks. The frontal blocks have a forward side with a texture similar to natural stone, and have dovetail projections which are integrally formed on the rear side of the frontal block. The frontal blocks having a base width are inserted in irregular alternation. Another type of front side has a hollow shape and therefore permits planting of foliage. The anchoring blocks and connecting blocks form distancing elements with dovetail projections, lying opposite to one another, with the same dimension as the projections of the frontal blocks. Through the interlacing of the frontal blocks with these anchoring and connecting blocks, double-faced dry walls of various thicknesses, as well as slope walls, which are secured on the slope by means of retainers, may be constructed.

Abstract: Novel artificial or simulated stone facing formed on a substrate with surface-cured finish conformance to the finish of the innerface of a thin flexible film air-sealed to the outer surface of the facing before curing.

Abstract: A construction block adapted to interact with other like blocks comprises a body substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and a pair of side faces. The bottom face has a plurality of substantially identical grooves formed therein, parallel with the front face, and extending across the bottom face from one side face to the other. These grooves are of generally constant cross-section and are spaced apart evenly between the front face and the rear face of the block. The top face of the block is provided with at least two ridges thereacross, parallel with the grooves, and each receivable within a groove of a like construction block. There are fewer ridges than grooves, and the outermost of the ridges are spaced from the front and rear faces of the block at least the distance between said faces and the second closest groove.

Abstract: A generally quadrilateral-shaped building panel has a dihedral root portion extending along a major axis which bisects a pair of oppositely disposed corners. The panel has two similar triangular panel portions which extend from the root portion at a nominal dihedral angle to each other when viewed along the major axis. The panel has margin portions extending along each side edge thereof which can be secured to similar margin portions of adjacent panels. Each triangular panel portion has a crowned central portion which is displaced laterally from a nominal plane containing the margin portions of two side edges of the respective triangular panel and the dihedral root portion. The crowned central portion merges smoothly with adjacent margin portions and acts as an arch so that the panel is subjected mostly to compressive forces. This permits the use of fiber reinforced cement composite material as a substitute for common metal sheets, which can tolerate and are usual under tensile forces.

Abstract: A hollow concrete block wall, and method of making same, are disclosed. A first course of hollow concrete blocks are laid end-to-end abutting relationship, a pair of separate redwood strips are placed on top of the wall, a second course of hollow concrete blocks are laid on the redwood strips, with the strips serving to align the second hollow concrete block course at the bottom surface thereof, a second pair of redwood strips are laid on top of the second course of blocks, and so forth until the wall is in place. Thereafter, pourable settable cementitious material is introduced into the hollow spaces inside the concrete blocks, as well as the area between each pair of redwood strips, and the cementitious material permitted to set. The redwood strips maintain the wall in the dry stack condition by a friction bond between the redwood strips and the concrete blocks until the cementitious material has set.

Abstract: A split masonry block (50) formed of concrete-like material is provided with primary split surface areas (52, 54) and secondary split surface areas (56, 58, 60, 62). A wall (86) is constructed of such blocks so that the primary surface areas (52, 54) in one course are in vertical alignment with primary surface areas in adjacent courses, and the secondary surface areas (56, 58, 60, 62) are placed likewise. A composite module (10) is provided from which split blocks are formed.

Abstract: A modular building block is disclosed as is a mortar and block wall to be formed by a plurality of identical such building blocks stacked in rows in longitudinally overlapping relation with some surfaces of the blocks of one row in abutment with blocks of upper and lower rows, yet with cement mortar of a thickness suitable for a conventional mortar joint between the blocks. Through the provision of spacers of soft material coupled to the blocks, as an integral part thereof, to abut with harder body portions of the other blocks, the blocks can abut each other without interfering with the ability of the cement mortar to bond the blocks together absorbing contractive forces in the walls.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant refractory mortarless joint wall and method made from pre-formed, unburned plastic refractory blocks having siliceous clay, and from ten percent to seventy-five percent pyrophyllite, by weight, and workability from twenty percent to forty percent when erected before drying and firing.

Abstract: A self-supporting composite plate for double floors or the like, comprising a pan-shaped wrapper for receiving therein a flowable and hardenable filler material of high compression resistance when in a hardened state, such as anhydrite or concrete. The pan-shaped wrapper comprises a plurality of downwardly extending burl-like projecting blocks containing the filler material. A base element of high tensile strength is connected to the projecting blocks.

Abstract: Facings for use as building components with a solid molded part constituting the visible side and a foam member of an inorganic and/or organic foam can be produced by shaping and heat curing from inorganic, aqueous molding compositions, wherein the molding composition contains a reactive oxide mixture, an alkali silicate solution, optionally alkali hydroxide, and fillers and auxiliary agents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat insulating module for use in forming a lining for a high temperature chamber. The module has a main body formed by a blanket of refractory fibers folded into pleats held compressed against one another by a pair of spaced apart tubular members traversing the opposite end portions of all except the two end layers and spaced inwardly near the cold face of the module. The ends of the tubular members are secured to the upright legs of respective L-shaped mounting members with the other legs thereof lying in a common plane generally parallel to the cold face of the module and anchorable to respective fastener studs securable to the wall of the chamber being insulated.

Abstract: Honeycomb floor panels for use in elevated floors or the like are disclosed. The honeycomb structure provides similar metal strips providing lateral cuts along one edge providing angulated tabs. The angulation of the tabs provides an angulated throat having a width substantially greater than the thickness of the strips so that the strips can be assembled in an interfitting relationship while the strips of the two arrays are angulated with respect to each other. After assembly, the arrays are moved to a substantially perpendicular position, and in such position a tight fitting relationship is achieved to eliminate looseness. Such honeycomb is provided, in accordance with one embodiment, with upper and lower metal sheets which are welded or otherwise fastened to the honeycomb itself. In such embodiment, an additional upper surface sheet is provided to prevent denting and to distribute concentrated loads to prevent crushing of the honeycomb. Sound deadening is provided between the two upper sheets.

Abstract: A cementitious composition comprising a cementitious material and polyethylene glycol or end-capped polyethylene glycol as a phase change material, said polyethylene glycol and said end-capped polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight greater than about 400 and a heat of fusion greater than about 30 cal/g; the compositions are useful in making pre-formed building materials such as concrete blocks, brick, dry wall and the like or in making poured structures such as walls or floor pads; the glycols can be encapsulated to reduce their tendency to retard set.

Abstract: A cementitious panel is provided with spaced inner and outer surfaces connected by edge surfaces. A waterproof film forms longitudinally extending cavities within the panel, with the cavities being laterally spaced from each other and spaced from the inner, outer and edge surfaces of the panel. Expanded lightweight, inert granular material substantially fills the cavities, and a suitable film closes off the ends of the cavities.When necessary or desirable, the panels are temporarily secured in position adjacent a member and in end to end relation to enclose it and provide fire protection. Holes are drilled through the panels at predetermined locations, and metal studs are inserted through the panel to contact the enclosed metal member and the stud is the welded to the member so that the end of the stud projects outwardly beyond the panel surface. The panels are then secured to the stud end projecting therethrough to enclose and provide fire protection to the member within the positioned panels.

Abstract: A jacket for protecting rope, cable, chain or other connecting means used to interconnect blocks, grids or other forms in a revetment structure. The protective jacket comprises tubing which extends in substantially continuous form through the revetment structure and surrounds the connecting means and protects it from abrasion, as well as from degradation and deterioration caused by contact with water, salt sand, ice, sunlight and ultraviolet light, and other components of the environment.

Abstract: A concrete block and hollow insulating insert in which the insert has recesses and cavities formed in the interior thereof for facilitating positioning the insert over reduced height webs interconnecting the walls of the block. In one form of block construction, interconnecting webs in another region of the block are also reduced to permit longitudinal reinforcement placement and/or provide a longitudinal channel for air circulation through that region of the block.

Abstract: A reinforcing element for cementitious or plastic material is disclosed which comprises a bundle of a plurality of strands of reinforcing material, the strands in the bundle being generally coextensive and being interconnected in a limited area intermediate their ends to provide brushes of substantially unentangled strands on each side of the intermediate area. There is also disclosed a method of making such elements which includes the steps of preparing a length of yarn comprising a plurality of reinforcing strands interconnected at substantially regular, spaced apart areas, the strands intermediate said interconnected areas being substantially unentangled. The yarn is then cut to produce elements having an interconnected area flanked by lengths of substantially unconnected fibers.

Abstract: A method of forming structural board panels from short strands of bagasse or other cellulistic material. The material resinated, compressed and cured to give an open structural block. A mortar screed of portland cement and sand is then applied to penetrate interstices between the strands and is built up with rendering and facing layers of mortar. A reinforcement, such as an open mesh net of resinated nylon strands may be incorporated in the facing layer.

Abstract: A cellular precast grid and mat for use as revetment. The grid, which may typically be cast of concrete, is substantially rectangular, having a flat bottom and, in its middle, two optional vertical openings of rectangular cross section with two inwardly sloping sides. The grid also has two vertical U-shaped channels on each longer opposed side and a two-tier vertical channel on each shorter opposed side, which vertical channel can accept projecting portions of the shorter side of two like grids positioned in abutting relationship, thereby permitting arrangement of grids into revetment of abutting staggered interlocking rows of grids. The grids may be individually placed with or without interconnecting pins or may be interconnected into mats by passing cables through tunnels passing horizontally through the grids parallel to the longer sides.

Abstract: A settable molding composition comprising a mix of synthetic plaster with an extraneous water source, including a "wet" synthetic gypsum or a mixture of same and free water, is readily pressure compacted or molded into a plurality of useful shaped articles, e.g., strong, modular building materials. The plaster can comprise from about 30% to about 99% by weight of the mix and has a Blaine surface area ranging between 2,500 and 7,000 cm.sup.2 /g, with the amount of water in the mix from the water source being in excess of that amount stoichiometrically required for ultimate complete setting of the mix, said excess of water being in an amount no greater than 15% of the total weight of said mix. The resulting shaped articles are effectively set, even in the absence of any drying step.

Abstract: A wear-resistant element, particularly in the form of a slab intended to be used as covering in areas exposed to excessive wear. The slab includes a hard wear metal of a hardness exceeding 400 Brinell, said wear-metal being in the form of granules which are embedded into a bonding agent consisting of synthetic resin, ceramic materials, rubber, or a combination of these materials. Preferably, the granules are arranged to agglomerate adjacent the wear face of the slab, whereas the concentration of wear metal towards the bottom of the slab is essentially nil. The resulting slab thus uses less amounts of the expensive wear-resistant material, and at the same time it is lighter than prior-art slabs and easier to manufacture.

Abstract: The element includes lateral walls and a bottom. An inner gap is arranged to be filled with bulk fiber. The walls and the bottom are formed of fibers bonded together. The bottom has a projection arranged to be nested in the inner space of an adjacent element.

Abstract: A helicopter landing platform comprises a fine mesh grid supported on a coarse mesh grid above a horizontal surface such as an ordinary helicopter landing pad. The grid structure is supported in superposed spaced relationship by a supporting framework; and conduits and nozzles for foam fire extinguishing agent are disposed in the space between the grid work and the horizontal surface. Burning oil thus falls through the mesh and is extinguished by the foam, the mesh preventing the foam from blowing away and also providing an anti-skid surface for the helicopter. The platform can be subdivided into a number of units; and the periphery of the platform is surrounded by a rim.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gypsum board having a kerfed edge along substantially the full length of at least one edge wherein the kerf has sidewalls inclined opposingly inwardly toward one another but do not intersect and are joined by a bottom surface of uneven profile characterized by alternately and irregularly spaced projections and depressions. The uneven bottom surface and each sidewall meet at a jagged intersection. Said kerfed edge provides enhanced strength in a direction perpendicular to the sidewalls providing improved board retention by flanged supports over that of conventional mechanically sawn kerfed edge boards. A process for providing kerfed edge gypsum board is also disclosed which comprises projecting into the board edge a first and second fine stream of aqueous liquid which incline toward one another at angles of incidence to a line perpendicular to the board edge which provides a combined angle therebetween of from about 3.degree. to about 20.degree..

Abstract: A simulated brick panel and the method of making it are disclosed. The panel has double expanded metal reinforcement and is very light in weight compared to similar articles of conventional brick and mortar construction. The panel is ductile and may be mounted on a wall merely by nailing directly through the panel. The composition of the mixture from which the panels are cast is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved structural panel, apparatus for producing the panel and method for producing the panel are disclosed. The improved panel structure is essentially a three dimensional panel structure having two essential planar face surfaces with a plurality of tapered walled cells lying intermediate the two faces and supporting the faces of the panel structure. Each of the tapered walled cells opens outwardly from the face surfaces of the panel with approximately one-half of the cells opening outwardly on one face surface of the panel and the other half opening outwardly from the other face surface of the panel structure. The walls of the tapered walled cells form a rigid and strong support for the face surfaces of the panel structure.

Abstract: A refractory fiber blanket furnace lining module with compensation for heat shrinkage, and method of assembly of such a module, are disclosed. In the module as assembled, the refractory fiber material is in compression in horizontal planes coplanar with the hot face and also in compression in planes vertical to the hot face. Upon or after installation, the horizontal compression is removed so that the fibers may expand to compensate for heat shrinkage as such shrinkage occurs and maintain a seal in joints between adjacent modules.

Abstract: A refractory furnace lining or like wall structure is built as a dry wall from unfired, relatively large and heavy, basically rectangular blocks fitted closely together and tied by refractory rod-like keys in opposed pairs of grooves in the blocks. A wall built of such blocks is fired in situ.

Abstract: A casing brick comprising a hollow insulating insert, and a two-part concrete shell which substantially encloses the insert, two projections extending from the insert and positioned between the two parts of the shell and interlocking projections and grooves for connecting the shell and the insert together.

Abstract: Simulated traditional colonial sand-finished masonry is provided having a unique appearance simulating that of sand-finished burned clayware. The decorative qualities are excellent and can be made similar to those of architectural terra cotta and other burned clayware. The product of the invention comprises a substrate or panel which is coated with a cured plastic composition containing filler and having the desired appearance. The coated surface has a rough, rugged surface which is characteristic of sand finished masonry. The surface has the hardness of silica, is waterproof, decorative, and permanent; with the effect of clayware.The simulated product of the invention is easily and inexpensively constructed. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a wall construction is provided of masonry blocks coated with a cured plastic-sand composition having suitable pigments to produce a sand finished masonry appearance.

Abstract: A refractory block particularly for lining furnaces intended for heating scrap or ore to be employed in steelmaking, comprises an envelope made of soft steel and a plate of stainless steel welded to the envelope and forming the block face directed towards the interior of the furnace. The envelope is filled with a refractory material, and the plate comprises means by which it is anchored in the refractory material.

Abstract: An edging guide for use along a fence or building to provide a surface over which one wheel of a lawn mower may roll which guide is composed of a plurality of end-to-end abutting slabs having an upper surface which includes a first portion and an outwardly and downwardly curved portion which curves to the level of the turf above the earth to which a lawn is to be maintained and over which the lawn mower wheel rolls.

Abstract: This modular building wall unit comprises a hard foam layer and a concrete layer intimately bonded to each other along an interface between the layers. A reinforcing wire mesh matt is embedded in the hard foam layer and reaches with anchoring elements into the concrete layer which may also have embedded therein a further wire mesh matt. The present units are cast in a mold by first keeping the mold horizontally and filling it partially with the hard foam. When the hard foam is sufficiently cured, the mold is brought into a substantially upright position, closed and filled with the concrete mix. Of course, a top portion is left open for the filling.

Abstract: Refractory brick that is treated with refractory metal oxide powder, e.g., titanium oxide, is used as a reactor lining. Joints between a dry assembly of refractory brick are filled with refractory metal oxide powder.