Patents of Interest to Builders.

Progress, Volume XVI, Issue 9, 1 May 1921, Page 213

Patents of Interest to Builders.

Hollow Concrete Wall. —A patent, No. 43,503, has been taken out by Walter Platt, contractor, Farm Road, Northland, Wellington. The blocks are formed with grooves in their vertical edges and have loops projecting horizontally from said grooves. The blocks are moulded in pairs or with a block to form part of the outer shell of a wall directly opposite a block to form part of the inner shell, the two blocks being connected by ties cast

therein, said ties inclining upwards from the block of the outer shell to the block of the inner shell. The blocks are laid horizontally with the grooved vertical edges butting against the grooved vertical edges of adjacent blocks, so that the horizontal loops of each block overlap or are overlapped by the horizontal loops of the adjacent blocks. Vertical reinforcing-means, such as rods, are then inserted in the overlapping loops and grouting poured in the joints.

Concrete Structure.— A patent, No. 43,659, has been taken out by Robert Wilson, Hobart, Tasmania, which comprises mould-plates on angle-irons disposed between and slidably attached to upright standards or supports

that are steadied and held in position, and yokes at intervals ■ over the moulds that have sideways lugs on the cross-pieces that bear outwardly against the mouldplates. Cavity, boxes may be formed of metal sheets

bent into deep U-shape form, and slightly telescoping with each other at the opening while lying on their and a liner or racking at the union of two open ends, etc.

Concrete Building Block.— A patent, No. 45,010, has been taken out by, A. C. Matthews, of Melbourne, which consists in providing the blocks with outstanding ribs which project from one side of the block and are adapted, when a series of the blocks are placed opposite each other, to form the inner and outer sections of a double wall, and, with the ends of opposite ribs, abutting, to form vertical passages or enclosures to accommodate vertical columns, which are formed by pouring plastic material into vertical enclosures after the blocks have been assembled. In combination with the aforesaid ribs the blocks are provided with . suitable metal reinforcement, which is embedded within the blocks during the

formation!of the' latter. The : metal reinforcement of each block is provided with projecting ends or anchor portions, which protrude through the side of the block adjacent the ribs . and into the vertical enclosures. By uniting these projecting ends or anchor portions of the reinforcement of adjoining blocks within the vertical enclosures the blocks are held together until the material to form the ...vertical columns is*: poured into the enclosures. The fastened anchor portions of the reinforcement are then mbedded in said columns, and besides serving to hold the blocks securely together also act as a reinforcement for. the' columns. . The strengthening-ribs on the inner surface .of the block provide for the saving of material without '/unduly", weakening' the block-structure. Building Block.— patent, No. 45,070, has been taken out by Charles Jones, of, Geelong, Victoria, which has an enlarged base to be 'embedded in the ground, an enlarged head to, be located above the ground, a series of straps

the bases of which are Embedded in the concrete, but the tops of which project from the said head and can be nailed or the like to a sole-plate, post, or like woodmember located upon the. block. .,

Concrete House , etc., Construction. —A patent, No. 43>499, has been taken out by W. J. Stevens, of Hamilton, civil engineer, which comprises the formation of the walls by piers constructed of blocks of standardised sizes arranged one above the other, the slabs of standardised sizes arranged to extend one above the other between such piers, such blocks and slabs being so constructed as to provide for the slab-ends interlocking with the blocks. There may be provided a foundation formed by plinth-blocks of standardised size, formed with mitred end-faces arranged to extend end to end along beneath the wall and locked together by tie-bars and by floor-joists extending laterally

with the said plinth-blocks, and shaped at their ends with mitred faces to. fit into the angular spaces between the adjoining ends of the plinth-blocks and adapted to be locked . thereto and to one another by tie-bars; and also top-plate blocks of standardised size adapted to extend from pier to pier' above the wall, shaped with mitred snd-faces and constructed to be locked together by tiebars, and having means for the attachment of the roof thereto. The wall-slabs may be shaped along their horizontal edges so t that when laid one above the other an overlapping joint will be formed. t ;

Concrete Wall Construction. A patent, No. 43,475, has been taken out by Wm. John James, of Mount Eden, Auckland, contractor. The invention consists in constructing outside walls and partitions by means of rows of pre-cast slabs placed edge, to edge and grounded together, and also bound together by upper and lower courses or bands of concrete, the latter extending right around the outside walls of a building and through parti-

tions, except where broken by window and door openings. The slabs of outside walls are arranged edge to edge in double rows to provide cavity walls, while the slabs of partitions are arranged in single rows. Openings are formed through the courses or bands or concrete, to provide for the passage of air vertically through the walls. The courses or bands of concrete are reinforced, and the slabs are provided with projecting reinforcements, which enter the aforesaid bands or courses.