Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel brick veneer wall structure, to methods for restoring same after sustaining smoke damage, and to a smoke-damaged brick veneer wall structure restored by a method of the invention.

Abstract: A revolution-of-a-parabolic-curve is sliced by two planes to form a reflecting-parabolic-splice-solar-smelter so as to focus the sun's noon light to a crucible for smelting rocks, glass and metals and for processing of chemicals, using zero degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Improved grips for retaining plural concrete reinforcing bars in a selected association are disclosed. The grips include a base portion and a retention portion including engageable structures establishing first and second spaced opposing pairs of clamping formations. Each of the plural reinforcing bars in the association is positively gripped along a length thereof between the clamping formations. Grip embodiments for parallel and right angle reinforcing bar associations are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (“chair”) for supporting one or more reinforcement bars or post-tension cables (“bars/cables”) in a concrete structure includes a base member having a centered opening, a pair of opposing first leg members extending upward from the base member at a first angle, a pair of opposing second leg members extending upward from the base member at a second angle, and a strap-shaped locking cradle. The strap-shaped locking cradle includes an arc-shaped receiving portion attached to the first and second leg members, a flexible portion suitable for wrapping over the bars/cables and a fastener to affix the flexible portion to the arc-shaped receiving portion or one of the first leg members such that transverse and vertical movement of the bars/cables is limited and longitudinal movement of the bars/cables is allowed.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for suspending rebar is disclosed. The rebar isolator of the present invention comprises a pointed metal spike or stake with one or more hollow-bodied rebar supports. Each of the hollow-bodied rebar supports has a support arm which supports the horizontally-positioned rebar. In addition, the spike or stake portion of the rebar isolator has a number of crimped zones which prevent the support arms from shifting downward or rotating in place when the concrete is poured over the horizontally-positioned rebar. The number of crimped zones corresponds to the number of hollow-bodied cylindrical rebar isolator supports and one crimped zone is located immediately below each of the support arms.

Abstract: Fastening devices of this invention comprise a screw and a spacer element. The spacer element can be cylindrical in shape and includes a central opening extending between opposite axial surfaces. One or more grooves are disposed within and extend diametrically along at least one axial spacer surface. The groove is adapted to accommodate a wire section of a wire lath. The screw includes a head at one axial end positioned adjacent the spacer groove, and a tip at an opposite axial end for penetrating and engaging a surface of an adjacent structure. The head includes an enlarged diameter section that extends radially outwardly therefrom a sufficient distance to cover at least a portion of the groove when the mounting means is disposed within the central opening. The fastening device is used to attach a wire lath to another surface by placing a wire section of the wire lath within the spacer groove, and driving the mounting means into the other surface.

Abstract: A spacing member for chocking reinforcement wires in a certain level from the outside of a finished cast structure. The spacing member comprises a first spacing chock (1), a second spacing chock (21) and locking clips (14, 42). Reinforcement wires are placed in supporting surfaces (7, 8, 9, 10, 24, 25, 26, 27) in the spacing chocks (1, 21) and, by using several different spacing chocks, it is possible to place reinforcement wires in several different levels. In particular, the combination of the first and the second spacing chock provides the possibility of placing several crossing reinforcement wires in several levels.

Abstract: An improved prefabricated building panel for mounting on the exterior of a building including a plurality of spaced, parallel support members or studs preferably formed by metal channels. A five strand layer wire mesh formed by a plurality of interwoven wires arranged at right angles to each other is attached to the support members and spaced therefrom by a plurality of spacers. The wire mesh is encapsulated with cement to form a ferrocement panel and decorative facing tile are secured to an outer face of the ferrocement panel by a layer of grouting. The ferrocement panel provides the structural load bearing component for the prefabricated panel for supporting the facing tile and eliminates the need for a separate substrate which heretofore spanned the support members and provided the structural support. The invention also includes the method steps for forming such a prefabricated panel.

Abstract: A fastener and a nosepiece for use in attaching lath to a support. The fastener includes a screw and a spacing element, in which the spacing element is adapted to threadingly penetrate the lath and abut the support. The lath is retained between the spacing element and the head of the screw and is thereby held away from the support in order to allow plaster to properly extrude through openings in the lath. The nosepiece is attachable to a driving tool and has rigid prongs which reach through openings in the lath. Travel of a bit on the driving tool is limited so that automatic disengagement occurs to prevent over-driving of the screw. The prongs ensure that the lath is held a predetermined distance from the support.

Abstract: The fastening device of the present invention is designed as a dowel which can be anchored in brickwork by a screw, a nail or similar anchoring means. The dowel has a tubular body extending from the brickwork at one end and is provided with a holding device at the other end. The holding device then supports a wire grating at a fixed distance from the brickwork surface. The wire grating acting as a means for support for the plaster applied to it.