An interlocking construction block system comprising a family of blocks that interlock along three axes, including a left/right axis, a front/back axis, and an up/down axis. The family of blocks are self-aligning and do not require skilled labor or mortar to create a structure of any length, width, height, or shape. Each block comprises a specific geometry that allows all blocks in the family to interlock in a woven pattern that not only locks the blocks in place but also allows even distribution of structural weights and stresses. The disclosed blocks can be manufactured in different sizes to conform to any building code requirement and to create wall lengths to a one-inch measurement. The blocks may comprise channel openings to allow for plumbing, electrical, and structural reinforcements in the structure and may each be reinforced with an internal mesh cage.

The invention relates to a device and a method wherein a product mold is placed in a basin. The product mold is filled with wet concrete and an intermediate space between the product mold and the basin is filled with a non-hardening slurry having a density substantially similar to the density of the wet concrete. During the filling, the level difference between the wet concrete surface level and the non-hardening slurry surface level is controlled such that the pressure of the wet concrete on the inside of an outer wall of the form mold is substantially balanced by the pressure of the slurry on the outside of the outer wall of the form mold. The invention thus enables the use of a product mold that differs from traditional form works in that its outer wall does not need to support the pressure of the wet concrete contained within the product cavity.

The invention relates to a device and a method wherein a product mold is placed in a basin. The product mold is filled with wet concrete and an intermediate space between the product mold and the basin is filled with a non-hardening slurry having a density substantially similar to the density of the wet concrete. During the filling, the level difference between the wet concrete surface level and the non-hardening slurry surface level is controlled such that the pressure of the wet concrete on the inside of an outer wall of the form mold is substantially balanced by the pressure of the slurry on the outside of the outer wall of the form mold. The invention thus enables the use of a product mold that differs from traditional form works in that its outer wall does not need to support the pressure of the wet concrete contained within the product cavity.

A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

A wax pattern surface-treating agent includes a solvent, boron nitride, and at least one surfactant selected from a group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant.

A formwork for performing castings for providing floor slabs, comprising a supporting frame which is provided by assembling prefabricated frame portions, which include at least one pair of frame-like sides, which are constituted by first uprights and crossmembers, which are arranged parallel and spaced apart and connected by connecting elements, and a supporting device for supporting beams of the formwork, which in turn comprises a second upright which can be fixed at the end to the first upright, a supporting head, for at least one supporting beam, arranged coupled slideably along the second upright, and means of reversibly locking the supporting head on a preset position which is defined along the second upright.

A manhole base assembly and a method for making the same employ a non-cylindrical, low-volume concrete base that is fully lined to protect the concrete against chemical and physical attack while in service. This lined concrete manhole base assembly may be readily produced using a modular manhole form assembly which can be configured for a wide variety of geometrical configurations compatible with, e.g., varying pipe angles, elevations and sizes. The form assembly is configurable to provide any desired angle and elevation for the pipe apertures to interface with various underground systems, and can be formed on-site to facilitate compatibility with existing structures. The assembly provides for flexible, modular construction of a wide variety of lined manhole base assemblies at minimal cost, reduced concrete consumption and reduced operational complexity. The modular nature of the production form assembly also facilitates reduced inventory requirements when various manhole base assembly geometries are needed.

A manhole base assembly and a method for making the same employ a non-cylindrical, low-volume concrete base that is fully lined to protect the concrete against chemical and physical attack while in service. This lined concrete manhole base assembly may be readily produced using a modular manhole form assembly which can be configured for a wide variety of geometrical configurations compatible with, e.g., varying pipe angles, elevations and sizes. The form assembly is configurable to provide any desired angle and elevation for the pipe apertures to interface with various underground systems, and can be formed on-site to facilitate compatibility with existing structures. The assembly provides for flexible, modular construction of a wide variety of lined manhole base assemblies at minimal cost, reduced concrete consumption and reduced operational complexity. The modular nature of the production form assembly also facilitates reduced inventory requirements when various manhole base assembly geometries are needed.

Wall block (2) made of artificial stone material; it has an overall elongate form and a first seating surface (10); an opposing second seating face (12); a first end face (14); an opposing second end face (16); a first wall surface side (18); an opposing second wall surface side (20); it has, on its first seating face, a first seating surface (4) and, on its second seating face, a second seating surface (6); it has a lateral surface (8) and a plurality of extension arrangements (30) arranged in a row on its first seating face (10) and a plurality of receiving arrangements (40) arranged in a row on its second seating face (12), these arrangements each being complementary to one another such that a particular extension arrangement fits in form-fitting engagement with a particular receiving arrangement of a third further wall block which is designed as a receiving arrangement of the claimed wall block, and such that a particular receiving arrangement fits in form-fitting engagement with a particular extension arrangement of a fourth further wall block which is designed as an extension arrangement of the claimed wall block, the particular extension arrangement and the particular receiving arrangement being designed such that the form-fitting engagementconsidered per seis possible both when the longitudinal central axes of the claimed wall block and of the third further or fourth further wall block are parallel to one another and when the longitudinal central axes of the claimed wall block and of the third further or fourth further wall blockseen in plan view of the first seating face or the second seating face of the claimed wall blockextend at an angle (81) to one another; and it is formed having a fin (60) at the transition between its first end face and its first wall surface side, and/or at the transition between its first end face and its second wall surface side, which fin protrudes beyond a virtual flat surface (61) located at the center of the first end face at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the wall block.

An interlocking construction block system comprising a family of blocks that interlock along three axes, including a left/right axis, a front/back axis, and an up/down axis. The family of blocks are self-aligning and do not require skilled labor or mortar to create a structure of any length, width, height, or shape. Each block comprises a specific geometry that allows all blocks in the family to interlock in a woven pattern that not only locks the blocks in place but also allows even distribution of structural weights and stresses. The disclosed blocks can be manufactured in different sizes to conform to any building code requirement and to create wall lengths to a one-inch measurement. The blocks may comprise channel openings to allow for plumbing, electrical, and structural reinforcements in the structure and may each be reinforced with an internal mesh cage.