Abstract: In the technical field of supporting grid walls with a bulk material filling, comprising longitudinal and cross beams which form a supporting grid structure, there is a substantial need for beam structure and shaping making possible enhanced connection stability together with a relatively simple and low-cost production of the elements and with simple mounting methods.The invention solves this problem by providing at least one hole or recess in the cross beam open over a part of its circumferential contour and adapted to receive a longitudinal beam for establishing a form-locking connection between the beams secured against separation and displacement against each other in a mounted state.

Abstract: A retaining wall is described using multiple pre-cast concrete block modules positioned in stacked horizontal rows with multiple vertical concrete columns which interlock each horizontal row. Each block, which is designed and manufactured to interlock with other like modules, includes a body having at least one vertical side, a leg connecting means attached to a vertical side, and a central passageway. In the preferred embodiment, a leg is attached to and extends laterally from the body with a compatible connecting means formed on the end surface of the leg which interconnects with a leg connecting means located on the body. An alignment means may be formed on the top and bottom surface of the body and used to align stacked block modules. During the wall's assembly, the modules are positioned side-by-side and interconnected in a horizontal row either on the ground or on a pre-constructed continuous concrete footing. End or corner block modules are used when desired.

Abstract: The invention features repeating building block units of generally rectilinear shape, which have arcuate mating end wall surfaces that are rotatable with respect to each other.Curvilinear surfaces of varying degrees of arc can be formed from a tandem array of the block units, such that assemblies of many different shapes can be fabricated.

Abstract: A discretionary mosaic art kit which comprises a support board arranged so as to selectively accommodate individual pieces of design creating elements at a selected location on said board, and a plurality of design creating elements in the form of an equilateral triangle, each adapted to be fixed to said board at a selected location.

Abstract: Individual precast concrete wall units for erecting a retaining wall structure each includes a face member, a support member, and an anchor member. The support member has a front portion that is connected to the face member, either at the center of the face member or, more preferably, at a location spaced from one side edge by one-fourth the distance between one side edge and the other side edge of the face member. The anchor member is formed as two wings of unequal length that extend from a rear portion of the support member at angles of at least 90.degree., and preferably 135.degree., with respective sides of the support member. When the units are assembled in a horizontal row, spaces are left between the anchor wings of adjacent units that permit access by a power tamper to the region between the face members and the anchor members to tamp backfilled earth in this region to a required compression.

Abstract: A modular breakwater device for placement on the floor in a body of water to alleviate erosion effects. There is a seaward face surface and a landward face surface. A plurality of passages extend between those surfaces permitting water to pass through them. The body has a continuous, uninterrupted lower surface. A number of legs extend from the lower surface and raise it off the floor and define a second passage beneath the lower surface and enables stable footing of the device on the beach floor. Details of the legs, the undersurface and the shaping of the seaward and landward surfaces appear.

Abstract: A concrete block wall that has blocks with arcuate faces that are laid in alternating courses to form a woven effect. The blocks are laid without mortar and held together by a combination of recesses and protrusions in the upper and lower faces thereof along with a locking piece that engages the radiused end walls of adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A retaining wall system has a number of units placed on top of the other. The units are constructed to be capable of interengaging one another in a plurality of selected positions so that the angle of the face of the resulting wall to the vertical can be different at different heights. Preferably the upper surface of each unit is substantially convex and the lower surface of each unit is a substantially complementary concave configuration. The blocks engage complementarily in more than one possible relative position and are shaped to resist being displaced therefrom by lateral forces.

Abstract: As an article of manufacture, a construction element typically in a square configuration for its exposed face, or multiples thereof, suitable as a load bearing or decorative member or a facing or tile for a wall, floor, ceiling and the like, for components for furniture, room dividers, as packaging components, toys, jewelry, sculpture and sculpture components and the like, wherein at least one face of the element has a combination of five exposed surfaces, which surfaces interrelate and give varied visual effects by the interplay of light with the five exposed surfaces.

Abstract: A structural assembly for producing interconnecting structures which includes a first element which, on each of two transversely extending sides lying opposite each other, is provided with a dovetail joint member and, on each of two longitudinally extending sides lying opposite each other, is provided with three fins which, when viewed from the tip or free end, have a convex portion provided on each side with a corresponding, connection recess so that the space between two adjacent fins is identical in form to the fin in order to permit a toothing to be formed. The structural assembly also includes a second element which is provided with a dovetail joint member on one longitudinally extending side and with three fins on the opposite side, as well as a connecting member which has, on each of two sides lying opposite each other, a dovetail joint member which corresponds to the dovetail joint members of the first element.

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: The invention is a set of construction elements in which each element is open-ended and comprises four identical wall sections. Each wall section is a quarter cylinder. The elements have two basic forms; one in which the four wall sections are disposed outwardly convex, and the element is an open-ended cylinder; and the other in which the four wall sections are disposed outwardly concave, and the element has a curvilinear square section. Horizontal rows are constructed by alternately arranging the cylindrical and curvilinear square elements. Walls are erected by superposing horizontal rows. The superposed rows can be offset relative to one another, and the thus-exposed open tops of the rows filled with soil to serve as flower beds. Preferably, each element has vertical channels formed on the exterior surface of the wall sections, in which connecting rods can be seated so as to interconnect adjacent horizontal and vertical elements.

Abstract: An element of insulating material, particularly for heat and/or sound insulation of buildings and for mounting between supports, has a body including a plurality of supports, has a body including a plurality of separate parts which are formed by at least one continuous beveled cut and shaped so that they are displaceable relative to one another during mounting and can be clamped between supporting elements.

Abstract: A flexible revetment mat used to control soil erosion comprised of a plurality of blocks each having a hexagonally shaped grid held firmly together by tongue and cavity coupling means. The tongues and cavities are shaped to allow limited movement of each tongue within its associated cavity. The blocks may be placed into position with or without connecting cables. The shape of the blocks and location of through tunnels allows the use of cables. The blocks are preferably hexangular to resist horizontal hydraulic forces at various directions.

Abstract: A finishing tile approximately wedge-shaped in plan has upper and lower, planar surfaces and side edge surfaces extending radially with respect to a center and has inner and outer edge surfaces arcuate about the same center. The side edge surfaces have projecting and radially spaced positioning lugs. Preferably, the inner tile edge is down-turned beyond the lower tile surface.

Abstract: A stair-like revetment structure is formed by using sloping blocks. At the rear end of the block main body having an approximately rectangular and a rearwardly sloping flat step are provided rear engagement pods opening like a wedge at the rear of the main body and front engagement pods having an approximately same shape as the rear engagement pods extending adjacent a concave portion at the center bottom of the front of the main body, the concave portion being provided between the front and the rear engagement pods. This results in a low cost simplified sloping block structure.

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.

Abstract: A set of building blocks is provided, each of identical size and shape. The block is of monolithic structure of elongated prismatic shape bounded by six flat faces and having an isosceles trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration. When properly arranged, interesting built structures are produced, especially when the faces of the blocks are of different colors.

Abstract: A curtain wall (12) used to divide the shaft in a shaft construction (10) is made of panels (26) in the shapes of parallelograms. Side edges (28 and 30) of the panels (26) are received in channels (18 and 20) in the peripheral wall (16) of the shaft construction. These side edges are parallel to each other, and the perpendicular projections of each side edge are substantially non-overlapping with the other side edge. The result is that the panels can be lowered lengthwise into place and then rotated into the proper orientation. The panels can therefore be lowered through smaller openings than rectangular panels can, and they do not have to be lowered by "chivvying," as rectangular panels do.

Abstract: An interlocking construction block has a first, two second and two third parts each having major faces lying in parallel planes. The block is generally V-shaped when viewed normally to the parallel planes and the height of the third parts is only one half of that of the first and second parts, enabling the block to be interlocked neatly with other similar blocks to form a wide variety of structures.

Abstract: A retaining wall (20) of shaped blocks (22) arranged one above the other in layers (43, 58, 62) is defined with respect to the stability by the seating width and the core cross-section determined from the latter. By maximizing seating surfaces (27, 38 . . . ) of the shaped blocks resting one above the other, the seating width which is a decisive factor for determining the core cross-section is considerably increased.

Abstract: A box-type masonry block comprising a quadrangular or H-type concrete block body provided at the interior thereof with a space. The block also includes an engaging step formed at inner upper surface of said block body, an engaging protrusion formed at lower surface of said block body, and a fixing rod-receiving hole formed at each corner of said block body.

Abstract: This concrete retaining wall block comprises a flat, elongated base, two side walls upstanding from the longitudinal sides of the base, a front panel upstanding from the base and joining with the side walls; the top edge of each side wall is provided with a series of notches, the notches of both side walls registering in pairs transversely of the block. The front panel forms a transverse ridge downwardly protruding from the base and adapted to engage any selected notch of a subjacent block, whereby the slope of a retaining wall built of such blocks can be varied and yet the blocks are all laid out horizontally, permitting to use a horizontal foundation for the wall.

Abstract: A translucent block includes a pair of parallel upper and lower faces each having a generally irregular hexagonal shape. There are a pair of generally rectangular, opposing sides which are parallel with each other, have a first preselected height and a first preselected width, and are perpendicular and joined to the upper and lower faces. A first pair of generally rectangular, opposing ends are parallel with each other, have the first preselected height and a second preselected width, and are perpendicular and joined to the upper and lower faces. A second pair of generally rectangular, opposing ends are parallel with each other, have the first preselected height and the second preselected width, and are perpendicular and joined to the upper and the lower faces. One of the first pair of ends is joined to one of the second pair of ends with a predetermined angle of ninety degrees therebetween. Each of the first pair of ends and each of the second pair of ends are respectively joined to one of the pair of sides.

Abstract: A set of geometric construction pieces, units, or blocks is provided including one large central piece and four pair of decreasingly smaller pieces which can be formed together to form a nested hollow cube for storage purposes. The pieces are manually separable and may be reconfigured or rebuilt to form a plurality of different and distinct geometrical sculptural designs, patterns and structures from the pieces thereof. The set includes a large single central piece formed from six identical, elongated, rectangular legs configured as a single or integral piece forming a partial external skeleton of the nested storage cube such that each face of the cube includes only one pair of adjacent sides with the diametrically opposite face including only the opposite pair of adjacent sides so as to provide an opening into the hollow interior of the piece.

Abstract: A modular construction block comprising a configuration built up from five indentical rectangular sub-blocks dimensioned in the ratio of 1:2:4 and assembled into an "H"-shaped symmetric block about either of two vertical perpendicular planes through the center of the block.The assemblage provides an "H"-shaped block wherein all external dimensions, slots and recesses are integer multiples of the minimum sub-block dimension. The blocks can be assembled together in a very wide variety of combinations to create utilitarian or decorative structures. The blocks may be sized for toy construction sets or for full sized building projects. The blocks may be formed of wood, plastic, metal, concrete or ceramic depending upon size and use.

Abstract: A construction element for forming breakwaters. The element includes a massive inner core that is trapezoidal in configuration with the longest base of the trapezoid disposed downwardly. The inner core is supported by four legs. The legs extend above the upper surface, below the lower surface and beyond the outer periphery of the inner core so that the core will be spaced apart from any surface on which it rests, regardless of which face of the construction element is disposed downwardly. The longitudinal cross section of the legs is also trapezoidal with the longest base downward so as to enhance stability. Construction elements may be arranged in either patterned or random array to form breakwaters.

Abstract: A paving stone, especially a concrete paving stone, serving for the paving of gardens and parks, paths, etc., is proposed. So that the paving stone laid out in a continuous system gives the best possible natural appearance, practical handling is guaranteed and strength is provided to an unrestricted degree, the side surfaces of the paving stone are designed as plane surfaces, but the transitional surfaces between the side surfaces and the upper surface are rounded and designed in such a way that the limiting line which is visible when seen from above is curved. The lateral limiting line between the transitional surface and the plane side surface is also shaped as a curved line, that is to say the corners are drawn down. For universal use, there are various construction sizes matching one another and special corner stones or curved stones which allow space-saving laying in a composite structure.

Abstract: An interlocking slab element for covering the ground or the like which has a main hexagonal section and at least one tail section integral therewith which are oriented substantially in one plane. The main section has a first pair of adjoining peripheral edges or faces and a second pair of adjoining minor peripheral edges or faces with the first and second pairs of minor peripheral edges or faces being oppositely disposed in spaced-apart relationship. The main section further has a pair of spaced-apart parallel major peripheral edges or faces interconnecting the first and second pairs of minor peripheral faces. The tail section has four minor peripheral faces or edges, with one of the four minor faces of the tail section being substantially coextensive in size and shape and spatially coincident with one of the minor faces of the main section.

Abstract: Building elements with matching side surfaces for fitting together to form constructions of varying shape, said building elements having the same length (L) and each having two opposite, equiform, flat, parallel end surfaces and at least three flat, rectangular side surfaces extending between said end surfaces to effect said matching of the side surfaces, the cross-sectional surfaces of the building elements each having a size which is a multiple of a triangular area of the size a.sup.2/2, and the sides of the end surfaces having proportional lengths selected from the group a, a.sqroot. 2, 2a and 2a.sqroot.a or a multiple thereof, "a" having a predetermined value, and the sides of the end surfaces defining proportional angles selected from the group 45.degree., 90.degree., 135.degree. and 270.degree..

Abstract: A roof ballast block having generally rectangular top and bottom faces and two parallel edges bevelled at substantially identical angles of 12.degree. to 23.degree. from the vertical, the remaining two edges being substantially vertical, the block having a plurality of parallel spaced channels in its bottom face and being characterized by a density of 85 to 155 pounds per cubic foot, a compressive strength of at least 2500 psi, a flexure strength of at least 300 psi, and a capability of undergoing at least 100 freeze-thaw cycles without cracking.

Abstract: The invention provides a building block having a shape derived from that of a cuboid, wherein the upper corners of the front face (1) are cut-away and a recess communicates between the bottom face (2) and the rear face (3). Preferably, the sum of the depth to which the said corners are cut away backwards from the front face and the depth to which the recess extends forward from the back face is greater than the depth of the block. Thus, when the blocks are built into a wall in the conventional manner louvres are formed by the recess of one block and the adjacent cut-away portions of two blocks below. The cut-away portions at the corners may be tetrahedral or half segments of a circle or ellipse, for example. The recesses may be tetrahedral or segments of a circle or ellipse.

Abstract: The set of construction units comprises a standard stone, a long stone and a trough stone having a substantially trapezoidal end view, a surrounding groove at the side with the broader base line, on both sides of the surrounding groove a longitudinal slot and at the side with the smaller base line, opposite to each of the longitudinal slots a longitudinal rib. The long stone has dimensions approximately twice as high and about three times as long as the standard stone. Both the standard and long stones have in the surrounding groove a surrounding bead, permitting the stones to be split in half. They also have five holes for making the stones lighter and for permitting these stones to be connected together with reinforced concrete so that they can be utilized as lintels. The trough stone is also twice as high and about three times as long as the standard stone. The closure stone comprises a surrounding bead as well as longitudinal slots.

Abstract: A building block for walls which are laid in courses without mortar and can be stabilized by planting, has a base wall, a face wall, and two curved side walls. The base wall has rounded transition sections to the face wall and to the side walls. The block includes at least two curved dividing walls bounding a central space and two outer spaces between the side walls, with the upper edges of the face wall, of the side walls and of the dividing walls lying at least approximately in one plane. The building block is open at a rear thereof opposite the face wall, and the building block has an open top extending in the above mentioned one plane from the open rear to the face wall.

Abstract: A construction block having a base, at least one top surface which slopes toward and intersects the base and at least two sides characterized by: at least one right angle corner of finite thickness defined by the intersection of the two sides; two diametrically opposite corners of equal height each of which lie in the plane of one of the two sides; and at least one point at the intersection of the top surface and the base which has zero thickness.

Abstract: A walking-beam carrier for steel billets comprising a steel channel covered by blocks of refractory material having billet seats formed by transverse grooves. The blocks are dimensioned such that when placed in an end to end linear array and separated by mortar joints, the grooves are evenly spaced and compatible with the throw length of the walking-beam mechanism. Alignment slots are formed in the flats between grooves in the top surfaces of the block to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A grain elevator utilizing pre-cast concrete elements includes a plurality of vertical zone rows of bins, which slope from front to back at an angle of approximately 30.degree., the front ends of the bins being located above office, receiving, grain cleaning or shipping and agro-product warehouse space; a tower or cowl at the front end of the elevator housing bucket elevator heads and distribution conveyors for loading the bins; a discharge manifold for removing the grain from the lower, rear ends of the bins, and conveyors for delivering the grain to trucks or to bins for feeding the grain into railway cars.

Abstract: A freestanding stair assembly which is simple and chemical to produce and assemble is disclosed. The assembly utilizes a plurality of interengagable tubular links each of which is provided with pair of axially directed parallel slots in the annular wall. The slots extend from one end of the link and are oriented and dimensioned so as to receive therein the other end of a superjacent link. The links may be rotated relative to each other to achieve a linear or a non-linear stairway. Each link is adapted to have a stair tread member secured thereto. Also each main slot may be provided with a locking slot in the annular wall which is perpendicular to the main slot. Each riser may than have a lower flange at the other end, which flange can engage with the locking slots as relative rotation of the risers is performed. The circumferential extent of the lower flange is such that adjacent risers are locked together thereby at any reasonable relative angular orientation.

Abstract: A shaped hollow building block suitable for lining bank slopes at the ground water level has a face wall in the form of a shield standing perpendicularly to a base wall, includes on both sides a margin projecting relative to side walls and has a height greater than that of the side walls. The side walls and the base wall jointly form an elongate trough in a direction normal to the face wall. The shaped block includes two compartments separated by a transverse wall extending parallel to the face wall in the trough and includes reinforcing walls projecting outwardly from the side walls. A building block for walls which are laid in courses without mortar and can be stabilized by planting, has a face wall, two domed side walls, and a base wall having rounded transition sections to the face wall and to the side walls.

Abstract: A grain elevator utilizing pre-cast concrete elements includes a plurality of vertical rows of bins, which slope from front to back to an angle of approximately 30.degree., the front ends of the bins being located above office, receiving, grain cleaning or shipping and agro-product warehouse space; a tower or cowl at the front end of the elevator housing bucket elevator heads and distribution conveyors for loading the bins; a discharge manifold for removing the grain from the lower, rear ends of the bins, and conveyors for delivering the grain to trucks or to bins for feeding the grain into railway cars.

Abstract: A planter formed of concrete or a similar settable material includes an upwardly extending wall having a laterally closed outer surface and an upwardly extending inner surface bounding a hollow space having an upwardly extending axis. Three equiangularly spaced projections are formed on the outer surface of the planter. The outer edge of each projection extends perpendicularly of the projection axis which extends radially outwardly from the axis of the hollow space. Between the projections, the outer surface is formed of concavely shaped circular arcs.

Abstract: A set of paving elements for the production of paving and a method of using the same are disclosed. In a preferred form, the set comprises four cylindrical paving elements of equal height and of different diameter having a diametric proportion to each other of 1:1.4:1.8:2.2. Two or more the of paving elements from each of plurality of sets may be laid to form a paving strip with the paving elements laid next to each other in mutual contact.

Abstract: Complementary geometric construction modules, each derived from a rectangular prism, with end faces formed obliquely to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the prism, with the two oblique faces touching each other at a point on the longitudinal edge of the prism, each module forming a hexahedron, each being the reverse or mirror-shape of the other, and providing bilateral symmetry when the two corresponding faces on the modules, are in full contact with each other; the modules in multiple sets adapted to be formed into a wide variety of sculptured architectural shapes, unique in appearance.

Abstract: Unit panels for constructing tanks and tanks so constructed. The panels include a rectangular plate and four connecting rims. The connecting rims are provided on the four sides of the rectangular plate and extend in the same direction with respect thereto. The forward ends, or edges, of the connecting rims define a flat plane which is perpendicular with respect to the connecting rims; the rectangular plate being inclined with respect to the flat plane and at least two of the connecting rims have rectangular shapes.Various embodiments of the unit panels are provided and include panels wherein two opposing connecting rims are rectangular, the remaining opposing rims being trapezoidal; panels wherein two adjacent connecting rims are rectangular, the remaining adjacent rims being trapezoidal; and panels wherein the rectangular plate is recessed or projections extending in a direction opposite to that of the connecting rims are provided on the rectangular plate.

Abstract: A rectangular building block with surface indentations corresponding to a geometrical arrangement of rhombic dodecahedral elements. The indentations are designed to interlock closely with those of the adjoining blocks in order to provide a mortarless bond.

Abstract: An improved revetment construction is provided. Each individual revetment unit has a base section and legs extending from its corners, the legs and base sections are so constructed and arranged that the individual units when placed in array interlock with each other, yet permit water inflow and outflow. The interlocking action is provided even though the individual units are not contacting each other. A variety of arrangements may be provided on the base section to control wave action. The units may also be inverted to further provide wave control action.

Abstract: The invention relates to modular elements assembled either by juxtaposition in a single plane or in offset planes, or by superposition with angular displacement. Each modular element is constructed as a hollow right prism driven in or not at one of its ends and whose perpendicular cross-section is star-shaped with several arms inscribed in a circle or in a regular polygon. The arms form tenons alternating with hollow portions forming mortises thus enabling assembly of the modular elements to one another. Each mortise includes at its base two notches enabling assembly by superposition with angular displacement of two modular elements, a graft formed in the lower position of each lateral end of the tenons avoiding any interference in the course of this assembly. The invention can be used for the construction of flower boxes, bins, clisters or any other cellular units.

Abstract: An inclined retaining wall for retaining and securing the slope of an inclined piece of terrain comprises a plurality of horizontal rows of prism-shaped elements, which rows of elements are superimposed one upon the other in a relationship staggered rearwardly in upward direction. The elements of each row are spaced relative to one another leaving gaps therebetween, and a base at the foot of said inclined piece of terrain supports a lowermost row of the elements. Each element of a superimposed one of the said rows bridges a corresponding gap in the next adjacent row therebeneath and is aligned in an inclined series with an element in any second row therebeneath or thereabove. Some or all elements have a hollow soil-fillable interior open at the top end and at the bottom end of such element, whereby plants planted in the soil at the open top end of one of these elements can extend their roots through the open bottom end of that element into the soil therebeneath.

Abstract: For use as a structural unit in a variety of coastal and other civil engineering works, a formed block or pile of concrete or other material is provided which comprises a conical body and a cylindrical leg extending coaxially from the vertex of the body. Offshore breakwaters can be built by laying a multiplicity of such funnel-shaped blocks into one or, usually, two or more superposed horizontal layers, with each block having its leg oriented downwardly. At least the lowermost layer of blocks are buried directly into the seabed, and the upper layer or layers of blocks are installed with or without use of a support structure serving to prop up each block.

Abstract: Construction elements have two oppositely arranged, connected body portions each having an external surface configuration disposed in the planes of a particular preselected triangular shape. Each body portion has three, outwardly converging, tapered projections with each having one of its projections cut off at a narrower end portion and the cut-off projections are connected together to provide four outwardly extending projections which serve as male connectors. Two adjacent projections extend in the same direction along spaced parallel planes and two projections are oppositely arranged to project out in generally opposite directions. An inwardly converging recess is formed between the adjacent projections which serves as a female connector to interfit with complementary male connectors.