Abstract: A corner block is provided for use in constructing an exterior corner of a retaining wall. The corner block is designed to receive a portion of a retaining member that is used to secure a reinforcement member to blocks that are adjacent to the corner block. The corner block permits construction of a retaining wall having an exterior corner, where the right and left sides of the exterior corner can be reinforced.

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.

Abstract: A wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.

Abstract: A construction block, bed gasket and butt gasket are described, as well as a unique construction method for constructing a construction array utilizing the construction blocks and gaskets. The construction blocks comprise a first and second load bearing faces, first and second engaging faces, an inner face and an outer face, which faces define a block passage, as well as at least one lifting rod to aid in assembly of the construction array. The construction method utilizes bed gasket and butt gasket to provide for ease of assembly of the construction blocks, as well as other benefits.

Abstract: The invention relates to modular building blocks with the minimal possible number of types which can be used for construction of buildings or other structures. The block has cellular structure defined by though openings made in the block body. The number of cells depends on the number of through holes. Each block has an upper and inner insert made of a heat/cold-insulation material and inserted into through openings of the hollow block. The inserts, in turn, have though holes and recesses arranged so that after the blocks with inserts are assembled into a building or a structure, the openings and the recesses in the inserts form a continuous lattice-like space suitable for pouring concrete or another hardenable material which after curing form a load-carrying lattice-like framework of the building or the structure. Thus, the inserts are used as formwork elements for pouring the concrete.

Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall having a bottom with a non-planar portion which creates a gap between the bottom surface and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon is herein disclosed. The non-planar portion permits the block to rest on a lower course of blocks and provides a space where small amounts of rubble and dirt may exist without interfering with the stacking of the blocks. The non-planar portion of the block reduces the unit weight of the block without significantly affecting the structural integrity of the block. The block's bottom surface may further comprise a plurality of grooves and a gutter constructed and arranged with respect to the non-planar portion so as to define a bearing surface therebetween.

Abstract: A block for an outdoor staircase stair includes an open four-sided block having a web interconnecting opposing sides and transversing the cavity within the block. The web includes vertical voids which extend from the top of the web into the body of the web. Two of the voids are located at the lateral ends of the web. The top parts of the web between the voids are broken out after the block is placed over the ground surface. Each block may be placed such that its front wall rests on the rear wall of the course of blocks below it. The blocks are filled with granular material to within about the thickness of a paving block or brick. Paving blocks are arranged on the granular material within the block such that the tops of the paving blocks are flush with the top of the block. Methods for building a staircase from the blocks and for molding the blocks are also described.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated pavement slab having a binder distribution system and an interconnection system formed for attachment of the bottom surface of the slab, wherein both the binder distribution system and the interconnection system are accessible from the top surface of the slab, such that the binder material may be injected into the binder distribution and interconnection systems from the top surface of the slab.

Abstract: Provided herein are blocks useful in the construction of walls and other structures. The blocks include in their design features which render them to be interlocking, and which provide for a wall constructed from the blocks to include a plurality of horizontal and vertical channels that are adapted to receive reinforcing rods (“rebar”). Once a two-dimensional network of rebar is disposed in the interior of such a wall constructed from blocks according to a preferred form of the invention, a castable concrete may be poured into the wall and caused to exist in the spaces between the rebar and the blocks of the invention. By such construction, a wall comprising concrete in its interior that is reinforced in two dimensions is provided, wherein reinforcement in the third dimension is provided by the interlocking feature of the tops and bottom portions of blocks in adjacent rows with one another.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a foundation wall for a structure and the process for producing such a wall.

Abstract: A construction block, bed gasket and butt gasket are described, as well as a unique construction method for constructing a construction array utilizing the construction blocks and gaskets. The construction blocks comprise a first and second load bearing faces, first and second engaging faces, an inner face and an outer face, which faces define a block passage, as well as at least one lifting rod to aid in assembly of the construction array. The construction method utilizes bed gasket and butt gasket to provide for ease of assembly of the construction blocks, as well as other benefits.

Abstract: A building block has a cement-based attachment layer on one or both exterior surfaces of the block that can receive and hold a penetrating fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like. This allows surficial coverings such as wallboard, siding or other materials to be easily attached to a block wall made of the building blocks. The block includes substantially semi-cylindrical concave portions that form a cross-linked structure of channels when the blocks are assembled into a wall. Once the blocks have been stacked in place in a wall, grout or other suitable filling material is poured into the cross-linked structure of channels. When the filling material hardens, the blocks are locked together. Surficial covering materials may then be nailed, screwed, or stapled directly to the attachment layer.

Abstract: An artificial reef structure is provided including various building components that are preformed from concrete and the like. The components include square blocks having recesses on the upper surfaces and male protrusions on the lower surfaces. The blocks can be matably interlocked by inserting the male protrusions into the female recesses of vertically adjacent blocks. Horizontally adjacent blocks are connected to each other using an adjustable double ring connector fitting within female recesses of adjacent blocks. The blocks allow seawater to flow through them using flow tubes that pass through the block and an interior chamber within the block. The artificial reef structure may be constructed to be positioned as a barrier adjacent to or in place of natural offshore reefs. The reef structure is preferably configured as a castle.

Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.

Abstract: A concrete-based building block has an attached wooden attachment layer on one or both exterior surfaces of the block that can receive and hold a penetrating fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like. This allows surficial coverings such as wallboard, siding or other materials to be easily attached to a block wall made of the building blocks. The block includes substantially semi-cylindrical concave portions that form a cross-linked structure of channels when the blocks are assembled into a wall. Once the blocks have been stacked in place in a wall, grout or other suitable filling material is poured into the cross-linked structure of channels. When the filling material hardens, the blocks are locked together. Surficial covering materials may then be nailed, screwed, or stapled directly to the attachment layer of the blocks.

Abstract: Provided are novel gas permeable bricks of a refractory material suitable for use in a hot grid of a regenerative heat exchanger. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the brick has an inner face and an outer face on opposite sides of the brick. One or more cavities extend from the inner face partially into the brick. A plurality of channels for each of the cavities extend from the outer face to the cavities. The cavities and channels allow a gas to pass through the brick. Also provided is a hot grid suitable for use in a regenerative heat exchanger formed from a plurality of the bricks.

Abstract: A retaining wall system comprised of units having a front planter compartment with a drainage channel, and a rear hydro-drainage compartment. The front planter compartment accepts soil and vegetation therein, and the drainage channel drains water and other fluids from the first compartment into the second compartment to prevent hydrostatic pressure from building up within the front compartment. The rear hydro-drainage compartment is open on its bottom for draining and may be filled with angular gravel or other hydro-drainage aggregate to properly weight units to maintain unit placement. The units contain angle of installation guides that aid in vertically aligning the units to achieve a desired face setback, and angularly aligning the units to achieve a desired angle of repose between layers of units. The units contain horizontal alignment guides to aid in side-to-side unit placement.

Abstract: A modular earth retaining wall system comprising a plurality of similarly configured wall blocks that have lock channels and lock flanges that provide a locking mechanism for resisting leaning or toppling of the blocks. A positive retaining mechanism is also provided for attaching reinforcement fabrics to the retaining wall in between mating courses of wall blocks. This mechanism secures the reinforcement fabrics in place and permits the fabrics to extend along the entire contact area between adjacent stacked wall blocks to avoid an aggregate leaning effect. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining bar that is placed on top of the reinforcement fabric within the lock channel. The retaining bar holds the fabric against a wall of the lock channel in response to tensile loads applied to the fabric to prevent it from being pulled out of the retaining wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.

Abstract: A method for installing and replacing revetment blocks in a cabled matrix. Each revetment block has a large opening therein for access to the cables that pass therethrough. The cable of a broken block is severed in the opening, and the parts of the broken block are removed. The ends of the severed cable are threaded through a replacement revetment block, and the block is lowered into place in conjunction with the neighboring blocks. The ends of the severed cable are pulled into the opening in the block and spliced together, preferably using a ferrule that is crimped to the ends of the severed cable. The large opening in each block also facilitates threading the cables through the rows of blocks in a matrix.

Abstract: The walls of a wooden log building are provided with vertical support columns acting upon horizontal logs within the walls. The support columns prevent the logs, or groups of logs, from moving downward due to log shrinkage. Each support column comprises a vertical stack of log supports. Each support comprises an elongated support element, such as a pipe, and a plate element removably secured to an end of the support element. The plate elements support bottom surfaces of the logs and substantially prevent such bottom surfaces from moving downward. The weight of the building is concentrated within the support columns.

Abstract: The invention relates to horizontally and vertically linked paving stones (10). According to the invention, projections (18) and recesses (19) are provided in the area of the bottom part (16) of the paving stones (10) used for a paved surface in order to link said paving stones horizontally and vertically. These projections and recesses engage with each other with a positive fit so as to interlock adjacent stones in a horizontal and vertical direction. The paving stones (10) are characterised in that the width of the joints (32) formed between adjacent paving stones (10) increases in a downward direction so as to form a gap which diverges downwards. This means that the material used for filling the joints can be introduced efficiently and reliably as far as the underside.

Abstract: Right rectangular parallelepiped construction modules including a system of latitudinal tangs and grooves and inner and outer shoulders which cooperate to interlock stacked or staggered construction modules. The construction modules can also include reliefs in their tops, sides and bottoms for receiving rebar supports, electrical lines, plumbing lines, or other means.

Abstract: A construction block is disclosed along with a method of producing and assembling a plurality of the construction blocks where the blocks have internal cages around a central passage, said central passage opening to top, bottom or side openings in the blocks, and from which cage support rods extend to hook chain lifts to the blocks and to guide bottom openings of top blocks into predetermined alignment with the top opening of the bottom blocks. The casting technique allows not only for the novel lifting and alignment construction of the blocks, but also allows for novel external and internal features to be incorporated into the blocks, such as studs, mounting bolts for interior walls and bricks or brick facades for the exterior walls of the blocks.

Abstract: A novel insulated wall structure is formed with upright hollow thermoplastic extrusions connected together in a row, with the extrusions presenting a row of compartments (15,22,30) adapted to receive concrete (39) extending along the length of the wall structure and a row of compartments (16,23,33) containing or adapted to receive insulation (38) material also extending along the length of the wall along side or in parallel with the row of concrete receiving compartments (15,22,30) whereby when the compartments (15,22,30) adapted to receive concrete (39) are filled with concrete (39) and the insulation (38) receiving compartments (16,23,33) are filled with insulation (38) the insulation (38) in said insulation (38) receiving compartments (16,23,33) is positioned to block heat transfer through the wall.

Abstract: A mason wall cementitious building block system comprising two lightweight dry-stackable block units and methods of using such units, including a wall unit and a corner/end unit, connected one to another in an interlocking fashion by means of male posts and female sockets, and variants on each of said units for capping the uppermost course of an assembled wall. The male posts angle rearwardly to define partial apertures, such that adjoining blocks define an aperture which extends vertically between the adjoined blocks for placement of vertical reinforcement, electrical and plumbing chase, and for the introduction of mortar or cement. The top surface defines a recessed cavity for placement of rebar when stacked. The corner/end unit of the present invention interconnects with wall units also by means of posts and sockets and may function as either an end or a corner, requiring only the removal of a small portion of the block at prescored cut lines to alter functions.

Abstract: A construction form for building an insulated concrete reinforced wall includes separable and independently usable lintel block and post block sections, made from injection molding Styrofoam. The lintel block section includes a channel extending horizontally and fully along its top portion. The channel includes multiple knock-out plugs within the bottom wall. The lintel block section also has multiple parallel and vertically spaced apertures with one end opened at a lower end, and extending upward to a closed end terminating at one plug within the bottom wall of the channel. The post block section is stackable with the lintel block section.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is a raised floor body having a plurality of parallel bottom arches, each arch defining a lower race thereunder, wherein the lower races are separated from one another by the arches. The raised floor body preferably includes at least one transverse top slot extending into the top surface of the body, thereby defining an upper race. The top slot may be disposed generally perpendicularly to the bottom arches. The body is further preferably provided with at least one vertical opening between the upper and lower races. A cover may be disposed over the top slot, and a liner may be disposed in the top slot. The body is preferably made at least partially from a cementitious material. The raised floor body may also include a mold for forming the cementitious material. The body may be cast in-situ or may pre-cast and installed as whole, by panels, or in individual modular blocks. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the raised floor.

Abstract: A brick with, preferably, two or three cylindrical passageways running from top to bottom, a cylindrical passageway running from one end to the opposite end, two linear grooves at one end and two linear projections at the other end which are of identical shape, and annular projections centered around the bores at top and annular grooves centered around the bores at the other side which are of identical shape. These passageways intersect, the linear grooves are slightly larger than the linear projections, and the annular grooves are slightly larger than the annular projections. The linear projections and grooves are spaced apart from the end-to-end cylindrical passageway, run from top to bottom and are preferably designed with a break for ease of assembly. When a group of bricks of are assembled into a wall, they will interlock in two different planes and will include interconnecting passageways in two planes. The bricks of this invention can be reinforced with rods or posts or filled with concrete or both.

Abstract: A modular earth retaining wall system comprising a plurality of similarly configured wall blocks that have lock channels and lock flanges that provide a locking mechanism for resisting leaning or toppling of the blocks. A positive retaining mechanism is also provided for attaching reinforcement fabrics to the retaining wall in between mating courses of wall blocks. This mechanism secures the reinforcement fabrics in place and permits the fabrics to extend along the entire contact area between adjacent stacked wall blocks to avoid an aggregate leaning effect. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining bar that is placed on top of the reinforcement fabric within the lock channel. The retaining bar holds the fabric against a wall of the lock channel in response to tensile loads applied to the fabric to prevent it from being pulled out of the retaining wall.

Abstract: Building materials of modules of at least one mortise and tenon and either a curvilinear side face or joinder of the modules at angles other than zero and ninety degrees. Lateral ends of the modules are flush with lateral ends of adjacent modules. Preferably, the modules are: (1) of a low density aggregate cementitious mix; and/or (2) have a hollow space extending from the mortise to the tenon and include a structural support member passing through the hollow space and a compression retainer securing the structural support member to the modules; and/or (3) have grooves circumscribing the modules and which are proximate corresponding grooves on modules placed on top or below. The modules are preferably sealed to one another with sealant placed in the grooves.

Abstract: A concrete-based building block has an integrally-formed wooden attachment layer on one or both exterior surfaces of the block that can receive and hold a penetrating fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like. This allows surficial coverings such as wallboard, siding or other materials to be easily attached to a block wall made of the building blocks. The block includes substantially semi-cylindrical concave portions that form a cross-linked structure of channels when the blocks are assembled into a wall. Once the blocks have been stacked in place in a wall, grout or other suitable filling material is poured into the cross-linked structure of channels. When the filling material hardens, the blocks are locked together. Surficial covering materials may then be nailed, screwed, or stapled directly to the attachment layer of the blocks.

Abstract: A stackable block structure system for dry stacking concrete reinforced walls which provides for alignment and leveling during construction includes a stretcher block having a recess of triangular cross-sectional configuration formed on a bottom surface and disposed intermediate a pair of co-planar, parallelly disposed laterally extending rectangular edge portions. The top surface of the stretcher block includes a flat portion disposed intermediate a pair of parallelly extending rectangular edge portions the top surfaces of which form upwardly converging surfaces of truncated triangular cross-sectional configuration. Inside sections of the top surface edge portions are configured to matingly and adjustably abut respective outside sections of the bottom surface recess surfaces of a block in an adjacent stacked row. A corner block includes a first portion of generally parallelepiped configuration and an integral second portion of similar configuration to the stretcher block.

Abstract: An interlocking building block for use in constructing mortarless walls in which the block has a first face shell in spaced relationship with a second face shell which define opposed inner surfaces for the block. Between the face shells, there stands at least one transversely-disposed bridge portion and a transverse end portion which defines an operatively outer surface for the block and which closes one end of the block between the first and second face shells. A grouting cavity is formed between the transverse end portion and a bridge portion. Both the transversely-disposed bridge portions and the transverse end portion have integrally-formed projections which extend above the height of the block on an operatively-upper surface and corresponding recesses are formed in an operatively lower surface of the block.

Abstract: A construction block is disclosed along with a method of producing and assembling a plurality of the construction blocks where the blocks have internal cages around a central passage, said central passage opening to top, bottom or side openings in the blocks, and from which cage support rods extend to hook chain lifts to the blocks and to guide bottom openings of top blocks into predetermined alignment with the top opening of the bottom blocks. The casting technique allows not only for the novel lifting and alignment construction of the blocks, but also allows for novel external and internal features to be incorporated into the blocks, such as mounting bolts for interior walls and bricks or brick facades for the exterior walls of the blocks.

Abstract: An improved mounting for attaching a facing material to a wall. The wall comprises a plurality of interlocking foam blocks with each of the plurality of interlocking foam blocks having an inner and an outer block surface for defining an inner and outer wall surface. Each of the plurality of interlocking foam blocks has a vertical aperture being filled with a curable material. A plurality of grooves are defined in the one of the inner and outer block surface of each of the plurality of interlocking blocks. The plurality of grooves are aligned with the plurality of grooves in an adjacent layer for providing a plurality of continuous wall grooves. A plurality of mounting strips are insertable within the plurality of continuous wall grooves. Fastening devices fix the plurality of mounting strip within the plurality of continuous wall grooves to provide a mounting for attaching the facing material to the wall.

Abstract: A modular floor access panel having at least one fully enclosed access channel and a vertically extending service well intersecting with the access channel, with an interlocking structure on the periphery allowing secure attachment to adjacent panels. Preferably the interlocking structure is integrally formed with the panel. Optionally, the panel may be provided with a leveling mechanism and the service well is configured to receive decentralized facilities.

Abstract: A wall construction block for the construction of earth retaining walls includes a pair of spaced-part transverse pin receiving channels in the end walls of the block and disposed parallel to one another along respective longitudinal axis of the block which are parallel with a front face of the block. The pin receiving channels extend transverse from a top surface to a bottom surface of the block and are of substantially uniform cross-section throughout. Arresting pin elements are received in sliding fit within some of the receiving channels and are retained captive therein. Elongated parallel grooves are provided on a top surface of the block and extend across the end walls and parallel to the front wall. One of the groove is aligned between a first set of the pin receiving channels and the other of the parallel grooves is offset a predetermined distance between the other set of pin receiving channels.

Abstract: A method and resulting structural building unit wherein a central element has a plurality of channel shaped grooves on at least one side with surface slabs adhesively secured to opposite sides of said central element. Plug-in junction connectors are disposed for alignment and spacing of adjacent ones of said structures by insertion onto said grooves. A heating element is disposed within the channel shaped grooves. The central element has a tongue on one edge and a groove corresponding to the tongue on an opposite edge. At least at one side of said central element, surface slabs may be hingedly fixed. An air-conditioning installation may be disposed within said channel shaped grooves. A process for making structural building units for use in structural engineering wherein in a first step a plurality of channel shaped grooves are disposed on at least one side of the central element.

Abstract: A building panel (1) has an upper edge (4) adapted to interlock with a lower edge (6) of a vertically adjacent substantially identical panel (1). The lower edge (6) of the panel (1) is adapted to interlock with a vertically adjacent substantially identical panel (1) or base (16). Side edges (8, 9) of the panel (1) are substantially planar to permit abutment of a side edge (8) of one panel (1) against a side edge (9) of a horizontally adjacent substantially identical panel (1). A continuous channel (11) extends the length of each side edge (8, 9) and a further continuous channel (10) extends along the upper edge (4). To construct a wall, a plurality of panels (1) are placed horizontally adjacent to each other to form a lower layer (15). A cementitious mix is poured onto the panels (1) to fill the channels (10, 11). Alternatively, structural members can be placed into the channels (10, 11).

Abstract: A building block has a cement-based attachment layer on one or both exterior surfaces of the block that receives and holds a penetrating fastener such as a nail, screw, staple, or the like. This allows surficial coverings such as wallboard, siding or other materials to be easily attached to a block wall made of the building blocks. The block includes substantially semi-cylindrical concave portions that form a cross-linked structure of channels when the blocks are assembled into a wall. Once the blocks have been stacked in place in a wall, grout or other suitable filling material is poured into the cross-linked structure of channels. When the filling material hardens, the blocks are locked together. Surficial covering materials may then be nailed, screwed, or stapled directly to the attachment layer of the blocks.

Abstract: Interlocking blocks are provided which are light in weight, and which may be assembled without use of mortar or other binding agent. Because the interlocking block is light in weight, it may be of a larger size than conventional blocks. Each interlocking block employs a number of projections and corresponding notches positioned and dimensioned to couple with adjacent interlocking block's projections and corresponding notches. A series of such interlocking blocks may then be assembled to form gravity retaining walls or any other rigid structures. The interlocking blocks are structurally strong enough to be used as form-work and may also be filled with insulating material, sound-proofing material, reinforcing material or any other advantageous material. The interlocking blocks may also be quickly assembled or disassembled in individualized constructions, may be pre-assembled into wall sections on or off a construction site.

Abstract: Disclosed is a precasted wall/column module including a hollow body formed from a four-side outer frame and an inscribed round pipe. The outer frame has an upper end forming a first axially projected flange extending along an inner edge of the upper end and a lowered outer edge extending around the first flange, and a lower end forming a second axially projected flange extending along an outer edge of the lower end and a lowered inner edge extending along an inner side of the second flange. Axially extended insertion holes are correspondingly formed at every corners of the upper and lower ends to receive insertion bars for connecting the modules to one another. A thinned area can be selectively provided on either side of the outer frame. Two semicircular openings are separately formed at upper and lower edges of each thinned area and a plurality of round holes are spaced between the two semicircular openings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molded brick module including two opposite outer surface portions and a middle connecting portion. The surface portion each is integrally formed from two offset strata, such that two pairs of adjacent edges of the outer stratum respectively project beyond and withdraw from two corresponding pairs of adjacent edges of the inner stratum. Engagement of the projected edges on one molded brick module with the corresponding withdrawn edges on the other molded brick module permits two modules to fit together. Cylinders with insertion holes are provided on inner side of two opposite inner strata. The connecting portion has a concavo-concave cross section and includes a central connecting circle and two side connecting semicircles to form communicable passages in the brick module for mounting conduits, bar reinforcements, etc. and for grouting concrete. Epoxy resin may be applied on the surface portions for paving the modules with tiles.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for draining water from a location external to a structure, the system located internally of structural members forming a part of the structure. The system includes block members having internal openings for receiving a length of perforated pipe and cavities forming reservoirs for pooling of water and transfer into the pipe via the perforations.

Abstract: A hollow concrete building block is provided having physical characteristics which diverts water penetrating inside the block away from the interior of the building. The block comprises parallel interior and exterior walls and at least one transverse vertical web spanning between the walls to form a unitary block with an interior cavity. The webs have notches on the top and bottom surfaces which divert any infiltrating water into the cavities. The notches span the length of the top and bottom surfaces of the web. The apex of the top notch is proximate to the exterior wall of the block while the apex of the bottom notch is proximate to the interior wall. Once in the cavities, the water drops to the lowermost block where conventional flashing and weep holes convey the water to the exterior.

Abstract: A building block with integral hand hold and a method for making same. As with standard prior art masonry blocks, the building block of the present invention includes a central transverse web which provides structural rigidity to the block and divides the interior space of the block into two substantially equal sized areas. However, the building block of the present invention includes a cut-out completely through the central transverse web which facilitates placement of a mason's fingers therein in order to grasp and lift the block. A preferred method for making the blocks includes the use of a mold which allows the transverse web to be formed with the rest of the block, with the central cut-out then being punched out of the transverse web prior to kiln drying the block.

Abstract: A building block comprises a transverse groove (12) in each end face (10b, 10c), an opening (15) extending from the first (10e) to the second bearing face (10d) in which a longitudinal groove (13, 14) is also provided. The block is further provided with reference and positioning structure comprising a pair of longitudinal seats on the first bearing face and a pair of projections, each divided into three projection portions, on the second bearing face. When a building structure is constructed, the blocks 10 are superposed dry and in a staggered arrangement in superposed rows, such that the longitudinal seats of each block engage the projections on the blocks of the underlying row. The apertures and the grooves in the blocks constituting the building structure form a grid of intersecting vertical and horizontal channels which extend over the entire building structure, and in which a binder is poured and solidifies, ensuring that the building structure is stable and resistant over time.

Abstract: A retaining wall is made from a plurality of blocks arranged in rows superimposed on each other and pinned together. Each block has a body with an exterior face and rearwardly diverging side walls joined to a neck. A head having outwardly directed ears is joined to the neck. The body has holes and pockets for pins that interlock overlapped blocks together.