Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Intersection of a cast stonelike component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-10
2001-05-29
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Intersection of a cast stonelike component
C052S294000, C249S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237291
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to building construction and more particularly to a novel device for combining a wall and a floor poured of concrete, into the same structure, but with separate pours.
The present invention is a concrete block, made differently than a conventional block, with a horizontal cell on the lower longitudinal side of the block. This allows floor poured concrete to enter half the depth of the block on the lower side. The horizontal cell is open on each end, but closed to the wall pouring cells. The present invention enables two separate pours to be used for floor and wall, and at any time difference interval. The uniqueness of this invention is that the design of this block causes the terminated end of any concrete floor in conjunct use with a concrete block wall; end up inside of half the depth of the wall itself. Since, with its use, this block is mounted directly on top of the footing, the resulting floor poured with its use is a floor that is poured above the top of the footing elevation and into the the first block above the footing. With its use, a floor filled in the manner described will have less potential for leaks than conventional methods. The present invention, is a product and not a method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In the art of constructing buildings, and in particular, buildings made of concrete blocks, most block buildings are built first and then after the necessary plumbing and electrical work is finished, the floor is poured. So many inventors with their magnificent but complicated methods and systems have made building a building so time consuming that the relative cost of combining a footing with a floor is not even worth it. Another inventor will have a chemical sealant patent to solve the mess of seam leaks between the floor and footing. Yet another inventor may have waterproof cement to solve the problem. However in a conventional two piece pour system, which incidentally, is more often used than any other method, it is obvious that something is missing in existing methodology because the preferred method of two separate pours which is the main method used, regardless of patents, is being used probably because one pour methods are too time consuming, too expensive, or did not really make the drastic improvement as expected.
While, idealistically, one pour systems are superior, the consumer is more concerned for dollar savings than anything else. As long as the floor is above the footing is all that really matters, as in wood construction. However in block construction, the floor is rarely above the footing; if it is somewhat higher in elevation, seams will exist between the floor and footing at their vertical meeting point. If a vertical meeting point for a seam between floor and footing could be analyzed and scheduled for a better and less potentially troublesome location, the result would be less leakage, insects, odors, etc.
Instead of the consumer feeling locked in to a one piece pour as the only solution to a leak problem that probably does not really exist in the magnitude to need a one piece pour, it might be a better solution to use a concrete block as described in the present invention to schedule a location of the terminated end of a floor when poured. The present invention is a product and not a method and its use will not take any more labor time than a conventional widely used two pour system.
Other methods exist to provide the consumer with a preventive system which provides a one piece pour to combine the floor and footing. While the present invention is not a one pour system, the references will show a comparable method.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,845 to Hartling, the invention discloses several plastic interfitting shells that ultimately enable the footing, floor, and wall to be poured simultaneously. Respective to Hartling, the invention even provides a casting mold for concrete blocks as a negative to a real concrete block.
The result is that polystyrene is left on the center and ends as well as the outside of the block negative. This is used as an R-18 or better insulator. If a consumer wants to pay for all of the shells and braces and time to prepare the system there probably is no better system.
Respective to U.S. Pat. No. 2,960,745 to Wallace, the inventor discloses a method of constructing a footing and floor construction apparatus whereby in a conventional two pour system, Wallace discloses the use of expansion strips to prevent cracking between footing and floor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,895 to Johnson, Jr. et. al., discloses a method which enables the simultaneous pouring of a footing and floor slab. This method is a device which must be juxtapositioned and secured to work properly. The present invention, however, is a product that fits into a wall plan and needs no adjusting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,651 to Gutierrez, discloses a precast concrete block system in which a non-conventional series of concrete interfitting parts are fitted together with metal rods and unified through hollow channels that become filled with liquid grout after all the pieces are erected to the desired shape of a building. The block sections are stabilized by a grade beam. This differes from the present invention, as the present invention is an adaptation of common cinder block and designed to fit in to the schedule of normal conventional concrete block wall manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,036 to Gallagher, Jr., discloses a wall forming systen in which concrete walls and floors are poured by forming the parts with insulation that is strong enough to hold liquid concrete until it sets. There is an interfitting design in the molding insulation apparatus which interlocks the floor with the wall. However the above mentioned patent is a series of plastic molding parts to form walls and slab floors, whereby the present invention is a concrete block designed to interlock a wall of concrete blocks and a slab floor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,642 to Terry discloses a precast modular footing sections in pieces to assemble and a precast floor in sizable portions to be assembled. This entire invention is a movable, sectional system and is beyond the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,115 to Colfer discloses a integrated wall panel that utilizes steel studs connected to reinforcing bar and the bar is immersed in concrete. When the footing hardens, the reinforcing rods are threadably connected to the bottom steel studs. This patent is beyond the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,831 to Baumann discloses a device that enables a wall, floor and ceiling to be poured with concrete in rapid succession. There are no blocks in this invention. Therefore it is beyond the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,540 to Farrington discloses a wall casting device which is a simultaneous mold for a wall and a footing. The Patent has no provisions for a floor and is only a casting mold whereby the present invention is a concrete block adapted by its design, to interfit a wall and a floor slab.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,617 to Gallis discloses, again another method supported by a device, that is a molding structure for a concrete wall. This patent is beyond the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,167 to Staples discloses a modular housing component system, including walls, a floor, footings and a roof. The footing section of this patent discloses a precast above the ground footing made of concrete which allows a floor precast concrete sections to rest on a flange extending out horizontally from the precast concrete above the ground footing. This device is not a concrete block and does not interfit into a wall as does the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,198,011 to Muirhead discloses a structural wall and block construction invention which is several solid blocks of concrete that interfit and are compatible in size to a 8×8×16 inch block. In particular, a block per this patent is known by the disclosure as a R5 block which is at the footing and has a similar opening to allow liq
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