Stone-like Module Patents (Class 52/747.12)
  • Patent number: 11041320
    Abstract: A liner for a form is provided. The form allows for the creation of a precast concrete wall to be formed. The liner allows a building material, for example, brick veneer, to be placed in the liner in a pattern. The pattern may be a soldier course that can formed over openings in the precast concrete wall. When liquid concrete is poured into the mold and then hardens, the concrete holds the building material in place in the pattern produced by the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE BRICK SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William Clare Scott, III, Mark A. Scott
  • Publication number: 20150135628
    Abstract: A system and method of attaching a natural stone to a wall surface includes attaching a piece of natural stone to a base plate so as to leave at least a portion of the base plate uncovered by the piece of natural stone and attaching the base plate to the wall surface with a fastener extending through the uncovered portion of the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas L. Schlough
  • Publication number: 20150128514
    Abstract: Support panels for masonry objects and associated methods of use are disclosed herein. A support panel for masonry objects may include an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one stiffening channel formed longitudinally along the support panel, and a plurality of substantially C-shaped tabs extending from the outer surface, the tabs being disposed in spaced apart relation to one another to form a grid, wherein the tabs are configured to contactingly support at least a portion of a masonry object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: John Tancredi, John Cotton
  • Publication number: 20150089825
    Abstract: A method for aligning concrete masonry units for a concrete structure is disclosed. In the present method a plurality of concrete masonry units are provided. Each concrete masonry unit includes six sides, including a top and a bottom and preferably two cores or vertical voids therein. The top and bottom of the concrete masonry unit each include two lateral grooves along the length of the block. The lateral grooves are designed to accept the spacers provided in the present method. Spacers consist of a planar member and at least one finger. Planar member is inserted into the lateral groove of a concrete masonry unit for use. Once inserted the fingers of the spacer sit within a joint between the concrete masonry units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Jones
  • Publication number: 20150082740
    Abstract: A brick laying system where an operator such as a mason works proximate a moveable platform having a robotic arm assembly, a mortar applicator with a mortar transfer device, and a brick transfer device to build structures. The robotically assisted brick laying system may also contain a stabilizer having a disturbance sensing and a disturbance correcting component that provides compensation for disturbances caused by load shifting, movement of the platform, wind, operator movement, and the like. In addition, the robotically assisted brick laying system has a sensing and positioning component for controlling placement of the moveable platform and robotic arm assembly. The interoperability of the system with a mason or skilled operator removes much of the manual labor component of brick laying, allowing the mason more time to focus on craftsmanship and quality, thus improving the end product and the overall working conditions of the mason.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Lawrence Peters, Nathan Podkaminer, Thomas Charles Coller
  • Patent number: 8950160
    Abstract: Pre-filled mortar packages are positioned between masonry construction elements (such as stones, blocks or bricks) when forming a wall (such as a dry-stack stone wall). Each mortar package includes an outer covering with a porous outer surface, a mortar mixture covered by the outer covering, and (optionally) an adhesive incorporated onto or in the porous outer surface. Both the adhesive and the mortar mixture are activated by a liquid, such as water. The mortar packages may be pre-wetted and placed on masonry construction elements when stacking the masonry construction elements. Alternatively, the mortar packages may be dry when placed on masonry construction elements, and activated by applying water or by wetting from rain water. Mortar packages are more convenient and efficient than adhesives or mortar alone, and create walls and other structures with increased strength and improved aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Preferred Inspections, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton L. Ridings, III
  • Patent number: 8919077
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for integrating a solar power unit that generates a power signal, into a building structure. The method comprises the steps of attaching a frame of the solar power unit to the building block, installing the solar panel on the attached frame, and securing the solar panel to the attached frame with the front cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander Freimark Keller
  • Publication number: 20140345231
    Abstract: A bricklaying assistive device for positioning bricks in a straight and level manner with a dead man pole is provided. The bricklaying assistive device comprises a brick leveler arm and a gripping area formed in the brick leveler arm. The gripping area is sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the dead man pole. A securing mechanism releasably secures the dead man pole within the gripping area. Upon securing the dead man pole within the gripping area, bricks are positionable against the brick leveler arm allowing positioning of the bricks in a straight and level manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas S. Oates
  • Patent number: 8863476
    Abstract: A mortar-less building block system including interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, truss brackets, and insulation member disposed exterior to the block; the block having a front face and a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess side face all connected to form the building block; the front face and the back face each have a pair of longitudinal recesses, the top face having a pair of longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of the front face and the back face, and the top face further having a transverse recess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersection points; the recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess of the top face, and the protrusion side face having a transverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the building block; the bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Summers
  • Patent number: 8833038
    Abstract: A casing system for covering the edges of structural frameworks and the like. The system includes a first casing piece and a second casing piece shaped to fit together. The first casing piece has a decorative profile milled into at least one side or end edge. The second casing piece has a reverse image of the decorative profile milled into a side or end edge. The pieces fit together by abutting edges or sides having a decorative profile and the reverse image of the decorative profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Walter Karl Stavenjord
  • Publication number: 20140215932
    Abstract: A landscaping edger includes a top face, bottom face, front face, rear face, and first and second end faces. The first and second end faces are angled inwardly toward each other from the front face to the rear face. The top face has a three dimensional topographical definition with a plurality of projections and a plurality of reliefs recessed from the projections. The entire top face is sloped so that gravity will drain water off the top face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: JAY J. JOHNSON, Robert Brian Burnquist, Steven Paul Bennett
  • Patent number: 8793964
    Abstract: A mosaic concrete product, methods of creating the same, and methods of fabricating a module for use in creating the mosaic are provided. The methods of installing the mosaic upon an uncured concrete surface utilize the module. The module may be fabricated by mapping out tile in a design corresponding to the mosaic; adhering the tile to a template utilizing an adhesive, the tile being positioned thereon corresponding to the design; and allowing the adhesive to set. The module may define upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface including the tile adhered thereto. The methods of installing the mosaic comprises: positioning the module upon the uncured concrete surface; embedding the tile into the concrete surface; massaging the tile into the concrete surface to interpose a quantity of cement/fines paste between the adjacent tiles; and finishing the concrete surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Lithocrete, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Brailsford, Lee A. Shaw, Ronald D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8782966
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant Allan Zavitz, Kevin Lee Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20140083033
    Abstract: An architectural finish element operable to be placed adjacent similar architectural finish elements to form a finished surface on an architectural structure includes a body formed of a rock-based composite material comprising a low density solid particle additive, a plurality of unitary real stone veneer elements bonded to the body in courses extending in a first direction and in a random non-repetitive pattern, the real stone veneer elements having respective face surfaces generally lying in a plane to form an overall face surface of the architectural finish element. The low density solid particle additive is provided in an amount suitable to cause the architectural finish element to have a density of between about 10 to 15 pounds per square foot. The architectural finishing element may be mounted by mounting a portion of a body of at least one dual architectural finish element support to a surface of an architectural structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: PACIFIC PREBENCHED LTD.
    Inventors: Robert Gordon McIntosh, Brian Philip Nemez
  • Patent number: 8640635
    Abstract: An improved corbel includes a first tier having first blocks and a second tier having second blocks. Each of the first blocks includes a first aperture extending through the block from a first surface to a back surface and a second aperture formed through a top surface of the block, extending into the first aperture. The first blocks are arranged on a substantially planar surface to align the respective first apertures to define a first passageway. Each of the second blocks includes a third aperture extending through the second block from a top surface to a bottom surface. The second blocks are disposed above the first tier to align the third aperture of each of the second blocks with the second aperture of the first blocks to form a second passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Vanocur Refractories, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Bloom, Paul A. Saffrin
  • Patent number: 8640422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying existing walls are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a masonry wall is constructed near an existing wall, and the cavity between the two walls is filled with a foamable, adhesive material. The foamable, adhesive material adheres to both walls, creating an adhesive connection between them. Certain embodiments create multiple layers of the foamable, adhesive material, allowing each layer to expand before the next is introduced. Certain embodiments utilize a brush device to reduce the amount of mortar left between the two walls. Certain embodiments utilize clips for temporarily securing the masonry wall to the existing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: SR Contractors, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald G. Vandehey
  • Publication number: 20130305655
    Abstract: The invention resides in an alignment device able to align substantially vertical starter bars for a masonry block wall, the alignment device comprising a plurality of spacer arms spaced a predetermined distance from each other and a plurality of attachment members attached to respective spacer arms, the attachment members able to be operatively attached to the vertical starter bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Christpher Charles Rafferty, Oliver Kohl
  • Publication number: 20130269287
    Abstract: The invention relates to articles, e.g., sheet metal, comprising surface coatings that have the appearance of polished stone and methods for making such articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Allen Garrett, Jonathan King
  • Publication number: 20130205703
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brick (1) made from a material comprising vegetable fibres agglomerated using a binder (such as hemp concrete), said brick being provided with a groove (9, 11) and a tongue (5, 7) allowing the dry-joint connection of bricks. The invention also relates to a method for constructing a building using such bricks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: VICAT
    Inventor: Damien Baumer
  • Patent number: 8448409
    Abstract: A plurality of decorative pieces, such as chips, stones, or tiles, are temporarily attached to a rigid film by a releasable adhesive. First and second tile sections are fixed to a floor or subfloor surface to create a gap between the first and second tile sections. A tool is provided having a plurality of teeth which are configured so that they can be inserted in the gap between the first and second tile sections. The tool may also include two shoulder or wing portions which engage and overlap portions of the first and second tile sections and which thereby prevent the plurality of teeth from penetrating farther than a certain distance into the gap. The gap may be formed by gluing the first tile section and the second tile section to the floor or subfloor surface with a first glue. The method may further include gluing the plurality of decorative pieces, with a second glue, inside the gap, and then peeling off the rigid film from the plurality of decorative pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Alex Xie
  • Patent number: 8443573
    Abstract: Blast-resistant foundations are presented that can be used to support a tower, a building, a building supporting a tower, and a tower supporting a building. These foundations can be transported to an installation site and rapidly deployed. They are comprised of one or more precast foundation blocks that do not penetrate the ground beneath them, do not require adjacent foundation blocks to be bound to one-another at their sides with interconnecting steel, and do not require the buildings and/or towers they support to use guy-wires. They can include protected cavities that contain utility equipment and supplies, and they can include conduits from these cavities that can be extended upward through one or more legs of a tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Kontek Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Allen Nolte
  • Publication number: 20130104496
    Abstract: The invention relates to compressed blocks of wood agglomerate, comprising wood particles and a hydraulic binder, produced by a method in which an initial mixture comprising wood particles and a hydraulic binder is held under pressure for the duration of the hardening of the binder. The invention further relates to a method for production of said blocks and the use thereof in particular, as construction elements for buildings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: WBLOCK DEVELOPMENT SAS
    Inventor: Stephane VOGEL
  • Patent number: 8393128
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a process for initially combining and thereafter uniting two or more modular units to one another in order thus combined to be able to form a house body, for instance a cellar-adapted house body. A liquid-resistant layer is advantageously wholly or partly to be able to cover a base slab and in any event lower wall sections allocated to the wall portion, proximal the base slab, in order principally to prevent damp permeation. A first modular unit, with in any event a first open wall portion, is placed on a substrate prepared within a building site, a second modular unit, with in any event a second open wall portion, is placed on the substrate prepared within the building site, so that an open wall portion allocated to the first modular unit will connect to an open wall portion allocated to the second modular unit. The base slab of the one modular unit and the base slab of the second module form a free space defined by the mutually facing edges of the base slabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Hans-Berth Klersy
  • Patent number: 8359811
    Abstract: Natural stone cladding (10) with a plurality of strips (18.1, 18.2) for surface-parallel mounting on a surface to be clad, with a number of natural stone elements (11.1, 11.2) and a number of support holders (30.1, 30.2) and counterholders (20.1, 20.2). Each natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) comprises a visible front side and a rear side with a first machine-made longitudinal recess and a second machine-made longitudinal recess. Pairs of support holders (30.1, 30.2) are fastened to adjacent strips (18.1, 18.2) and one natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) is seated by the first longitudinal recess on these two support holders (30.1, 30.2). One each of the two support holders (30.1, 30.2) is seated a respective counterholder (20.1, 20.2), and each of the two counterholders (20.1, 20.2) engages in the second longitudinal recess (15) in order to secure the natural stone element (11.1, 11.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Müller
  • Patent number: 8336278
    Abstract: A method for forming a structural paver deck assembly includes fastening structural decking panels across a bare frame structure. One or more of the decking panels includes an upper panel surface having a non-planar contoured decking panel surface. A paver decking surface is seated over the plurality of structural decking panels to form a paver decking surface. Seating includes positioning a plurality of paver pieces on the structural decking panels including interfittingly engaging the paver pieces to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Seating further includes aligning the plurality of paver pieces in at least one specified direction, wherein the paver pieces includes paver contour surfaces along a lower surface having a corresponding shape to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Interfitting engagement of the paver contour surfaces with the non-planar contoured panel surface orients the one or more paver pieces in the at least one specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Patent number: 8316616
    Abstract: A method for forming a brick façade positioning assembly includes positioning a plurality of bricks in a specified wall pattern. A film is placed over the bricks, and the film is molded over the bricks to form a custom brick film tray. The custom brick film tray includes brick shaped tray recesses in the specified wall pattern. The plurality of bricks are positioned within the brick shaped tray recesses. Optionally, a liquid setting material is poured on the custom brick film tray and the plurality of bricks to form a brick façade wall. The brick façade wall includes the bricks in the specified wall pattern provided by the custom brick film tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Publication number: 20120247045
    Abstract: A system and method of attaching a natural stone to a wall surface includes attaching a piece of natural stone to a base plate so as to leave at least a portion of the base plate uncovered by the piece of natural stone and attaching the base plate to the wall surface with a fastener extending through the uncovered portion of the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas L. Schlough
  • Patent number: 8266853
    Abstract: An improved corbel includes a first tier having first blocks and a second tier having second blocks. Each of the first blocks includes a first aperture extending through the block from a first surface to a back surface and a second aperture formed through a top surface of the block, extending into the first aperture. The first blocks are arranged on a substantially planar surface to align the respective first apertures to define a first passageway. Each of the second blocks includes a third aperture extending through the second block from a top surface to a bottom surface. The second blocks are disposed above the first tier to align the third aperture of each of the second blocks with the second aperture of the first blocks to form a second passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Vanocur Refractories LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Bloom, Paul A. Saffrin
  • Publication number: 20120204498
    Abstract: A containment system has a plurality of concrete blocks. The concrete blocks each have sides, ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, a male interlocking element extending from one of the ends, and a female interlocking element formed in the other of the ends, and/or one of the sides. The plurality of concrete blocks may be interlocked together to form a containment perimeter. A security fencing structure may be operably mounted on top of the concrete blocks of the containment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Neil W. Richey
  • Patent number: 8201380
    Abstract: A reinforcing shape member for a concrete block wall, and system of construction using same, including a wall engagement portion having an integral top end engaging wall portion and an integral bottom end engaging wall portion where the top end engaging wall portion and the bottom end engage and embed into the concrete wall at various depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Hargest, Robert George Drysdale
  • Patent number: 8122683
    Abstract: A support panel for thin brick, comprising a metal sheet, an array of groove retaining tabs having first tab edges, said first tab edges protruding from said sheet having at an upward angle of less than about 45 degrees, for a distance of less than about one quarter inch, and an array of mortar lock tabs having second tab edges, said second tab edges protruding from said sheet at a downward angle of greater than about 45 degrees, said array of mortar lock tabs being offset vertically from said array of groove retaining tabs, wherein, said array of groove retaining tabs are adapted to engage shallow dovetail grooves formed in the rear of thin bricks, and said mortar lock tabs are adapted, when embedded within a cured mortar matrix, to exert, in response to a tensile force away from said metal sheet, a force along a vertical axis, on the brick, in an opposite direction to a force applied to the brick along a vertical axis by said groove retaining tab, to thereby retain the brick against the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Chester Schwalenberg
  • Patent number: 8117800
    Abstract: A facade is formed on an upright supporting surface using a plurality of facade elements formed of plastic material having a flat rear side and a decorative front side protruding from the rear side. The flat rear side of the elements can be abutted directly against the upright supporting surface with the elements in spaced relation with one another and secured thereon using nails from an air driven nailer. Grouting in the form of mortar repair or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between adjacent elements on the supporting surface to complete the appearance of a natural stone facade on a building wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Lobson
  • Publication number: 20110296792
    Abstract: A modular brick or block outdoor structure includes an outdoor structure that is constructed in modular sections. Each modular section is fabricated from a plurality of paving bricks or retaining wall blocks that match the brick or block used to construct the patio. The bricks or blocks are preferably assembled to each other with adhesive. Each modular section includes means for transporting thereof with some type of equipment, if necessary. It is preferable that each modular section include channels to receive lifting forks of an end loader or other suitable transport device, if necessary. However, other methods of transporting the modular section may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Harmony Outdoor Living, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Raboine
  • Patent number: 8033079
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing terrazzo tiles and tiles manufactured in accordance with the method is described. A resin, curing agent, filler, and pigment are poured into a mold. Stone chips are then poured into the mold to settle with the majority at the bottom of the mold. Thereafter, curing occurs to result in rough tiles which are ground and then polished with the upper surface being the resulting tile surface at which the majority of the stones settle. The tiles are assembled onto a floor with grout lines resulting from spacing of the tiles, one from another. Grout is then poured in and skived, and the floor polished to result in a sealed monolithic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: FloorazzoTile, LLC
    Inventor: John H Sich
  • Patent number: 8002943
    Abstract: A floor tile for a raised floor. The floor tile is defined by a shallow upwardly-opening metal pan defining a shallow compartment in which a main preformed one-piece concrete block is secured. The main concrete block is preferably formed from a plurality of one-piece preformed concrete sub-blocks which are adhesively adhered in sideward abutting relationship to define a plan profile corresponding to the main concrete block. The main concrete block is then adhesively secured within the compartment of the metal pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Brown, Anthony McConnell, Randolph Woellper
  • Patent number: 7992360
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a body for extending the fastener through the panel and into the substrate matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: EZ Set Tile, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20110146186
    Abstract: A mortar-less building block system including interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, truss brackets, and insulation member disposed exterior to the block; the block having a front face and a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess side face all connected to form the building block; the front face and the back face each have a pair of longitudinal recesses, the top face having a pair of longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of the front face and the back face, and the top face further having a transverse recess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersection points; the recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess of the top face, and the protrusion side face having a transverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the building block; the bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating with
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Gary Summers
  • Patent number: 7959991
    Abstract: An artificial stone material having an improved natural stone appearance and texture is prepared from resin, curing agent, microspheres and additives. The resin, curing agent and microspheres are mixed to form a catalyzed base material. Additives are non-homogeneously worked into the catalyzed base material to provide a catalyzed stone mixture having a desired natural stone appearance. The catalyzed stone mixture is molded or applied to a surface at the point of use and allowed to cure to form the artificial stone material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Albert C West
  • Publication number: 20110061337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a masonry support system and method, suitable for bearing the load of a course of brick-work or defined brickwork panels, comprising a horizontal support section (2) in the X-plane for supporting said load; a vertical support section (3) in the Y-plane for affixing to a support structure; characterised in that there is provided integrated Z-axis adjustment means (61) for adjusting said relieving angle system forward or backwards relative to the support structure. The advantage of the present invention is that the system provides integrated Z-axis adjustment. This feature provides a unique level of tolerance compensation for unforeseen site variances. The invention provides a uniquely adjustable and easy to install angle brick masonry support system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: COUGHLAN ENGINEERING (TULLAMORE) LTD.
    Inventors: Alan O'Shea, Niall Mulligan
  • Publication number: 20110047916
    Abstract: Natural stone cladding (10) with a plurality of strips (18.1, 18.2) for surface-parallel mounting on a surface to be clad, with a number of natural stone elements (11.1, 11.2) and a number of support holders (30.1, 30.2) and counterholders (20.1, 20.2). Each natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) comprises a visible front side and a rear side with a first machine-made longitudinal recess and a second machine-made longitudinal recess. Pairs of support holders (30.1, 30.2) are fastened to adjacent strips (18.1, 18.2) and one natural stone element (11.1, 11.2) is seated by the first longitudinal recess on these two support holders (30.1, 30.2). One each of the two support holders (30.1, 30.2) is seated a respective counterholder (20.1, 20.2), and each of the two counterholders (20.1, 20.2) engages in the second longitudinal recess (15) in order to secure the natural stone element (11.1, 11.2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Müller
  • Patent number: 7877956
    Abstract: Floor element (1), which is mainly in the form of a board with triangular, quadratic, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape as seen from above. The floor element (1) is provided with edges (2), a lower side (7) and a decorative upper layer (3). The floor elements (1), which are intended to be joined via tongue and groove are on at least two opposite edges (2), preferably on all edges (2) provided with holes (4). The holes (4) extends inwards from the edge (2) mainly parallel to the decorative upper layer (3). The holes (4) are arranged on a predetermined distance from the decorative upper layer (3) and on a predetermined distance from a closest corner between two adjacent edges (2), whereby the holes (4) are intended to receive each one part of a guiding means (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pergo AG
    Inventor: Göran Martensson
  • Publication number: 20110016814
    Abstract: A structural adhesive for masonry of a polyurethane adhesive base with dispersed thermal stabilizer particulate additive of a mean particle size sufficient for providing, after application and curing, cured structural adhesive thermal stability in favorable accordance to a predefined threshold. The polyurethane base provides at least 85 weight percent of the structural adhesive at a viscosity sufficient for room temperature bead application of the structural adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Abul Hashem Molla
  • Publication number: 20100284751
    Abstract: A retaining wall block can include a top surface and opposing bottom surface, a front surface and opposing rear surface, and first and second opposing side surfaces. A projection can extend downwardly from the bottom surface and can include a forwardly facing indexing surface oriented generally parallel with the front surface of the block. The indexing surface can be configured to engage a rearwardly facing surface of a block in a lower course of blocks. The block can also include a pair of spaced apart key slots defined in the rear surface. Each key slot can include an enlarged interlocking portion and a throat portion extending from the interlocking portion to the rear surface. An assembly can be created whereby a pair of correspondingly shaped keys of an elongate barrier member are engaged with key slots of block so as to inhibit rearward horizontal displacement of the keys within the key slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Brian A. Price
  • Patent number: 7823858
    Abstract: Masonry units (10) are integrally assembled by tightening forces of bolts (60) and nuts (70), in a condition that interlayer metal plates (50) are interposed between the masonry units. A basic form (11) of the masonry unit is contained in a mold for forming the masonry unit. A space (98) for fluidic covering material, which is chargeable with the covering material, is defined between upper and lower faces of the form (11), and the fluidic covering material is charged in the space. The upper and lower faces of the masonry unit are covered with the solidified covering material (12). According to the present invention, high dimensional accuracy of the masonry unit can be ensured, and efficiency of the production process of the masonry units is promoted to improve productivity of the masonry units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Yasunori Matsufuji, Tomoyuki Koyama
  • Publication number: 20100205899
    Abstract: A device for use in constructing a support surface for pavers and paving bricks comprising a planar tread surface; two elongated complementary mounting members being disposed at respectively opposite ends of the device and extending over substantially the entire width of the device, adapted to overlap and interlock. Thus when two devices are arranged end-to-end the complementary mounting members are fitted together and overlapping one another to define a mounting area. Each mounting member further includes a fastener receiving means, the fastener receiving means being located such that when a portion of the mounting member overlaps a corresponding portion of a complementary mounting member, the fastener receiving means of the portions are aligned to receive a single fastening element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Edward A. Califano
  • Patent number: 7758279
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a body for extending the fastener through the panel and into the substrate matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Joe Driscoll
  • Patent number: 7730696
    Abstract: The invention described herein includes a method embodiment for making a stone wall manufacturing kit. The method embodiment includes providing a plurality of stones having a variety of thicknesses and lengths; sorting the stones based upon length and thickness of each of the stones; preparing an image of the stone wall; marking each stone within the image with an identifier to make a marked stone image; marking each stone of the plurality of stones with an identifier corresponding to the identifier of the stone in the image of the assembled stone wall; and packaging the marked stones and marked stone image to make a stone wall kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Scott Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20100095629
    Abstract: Surface facing materials structured for facing indoor and outdoor surfaces, consisting of facing sections having interdigitating connectors on opposing first and second surfaces so as to securely connect a long connecting-side of a section to a long connecting-side of an adjacent section and/or interdigitating connectors on each end so as to securely connect each section end to an end of an adjacent section, so as to provide light weight, moisture resistant, sound and heat insulating facing. One style of the facing section comprises a single row of thin-bricks positioned short end to short end securely adhered to an elongate, lightweight, insulating backing-panel having interdigitating connectors sized so as to accept a single row of bricks so as to result in a thin-bricked panel. In one preferred embodiment, from 2 to 10 thin-bricks are adhered end to end to a backing-panel forming an elongated row of thin-bricks on a backing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Taylor
  • Publication number: 20100037555
    Abstract: A stackable building block 1102 for constructing a masonry wall includes a front section 502 having an outer surface, an inner surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface. The top surface may be divided into a higher surface 1111 positioned between two lower surfaces 1109. The building block also has a rear section 504 substantially parallel to the front section having an outer surface, an inner surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface. Two or more webs 1106 coupling the inner surface of the front section to the inner surface of the rear section have a top surface and a bottom surface. Two or more pairs of lugs 508 may extend above the top surface of the front section and the top surface of the rear section. During manufacturing the higher surface of the top surface is ground to a precision height. During assembly of the stack building block, a thin set mortar, grout or adhesive is used between successive courses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: FSN, LLC
    Inventor: Alan C. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20100018144
    Abstract: An insulating concrete form wall system includes integral channels for routing wiring, cables and other lines. The channels are formed into the insulating layers of the walls and form part of the insulating layer. The channel members include a bottom portion having an interlocking device configured for interlocking with the poured concrete. The channel members have opposed side portions extending from edges of the bottom portion to define an open channel. Insulation engagement devices extend from the sides to engage the insulating concrete form elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Dean Manning Seibert