INTERLOCKING CONSTRUCTION BLOCKS

Abstract

The present invention is an improvement on a previous version of an interlocking building block system for use in constructing a building wall. The improvements introduced are radii corners and chamfered edges that allow for claddings to be attached to the wall by leaving space for mechanical screws to be secured between two blocks. Furthermore, the radii corners allowed for increased mechanical movement between two interlocking blocks, resulting in greater durability of the blocks. The improvement also include a corner block and an intersecting block which replace the need for using multiple blocks to create intersecting points or corners. Some blocks also contain an additional hollow cavity with channels to allow increased support members to be introduced between blocks, thus increasing the height of the walls that can be built using the block system.

Claims

1. An interlocking construction block comprising: a block body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first outer face and a second outer face, the first and second outer faces meeting at a 90 degree angle to form a corner of the block body; a first head portion on a side of the block body opposite to the first outer face, the first head portion defining a first lobe-shaped outwardly convex surface and a first inwardly concave surface; a first flange at an end of the block body adjacent to the first head portion expanding toward the first head portion and defining a front surface that is parallel to the first outer face of the block body; a second head portion on a side of the block body opposite to the second outer face, the second head portion defining a second lobe-shaped outwardly convex surface and a second inwardly concave surface; a second flange at an end of the block body adjacent to the second head portion expanding toward the second head portion and defining a front surface that is parallel to the second outer face of the block body; a corner element between the first head portion and the second head portion having a first face parallel to the first outer face and a second face parallel to the second outer face; the first head portion having a vertically-extending groove between the first lobe-shaped outwardly convex surface and the second face of the corner element; and the second head portion having a vertically-extending groove between the second lobe-shaped outwardly convex surface and the first face of the corner element.

Description

DESCRIPTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1. is a top plan view of walls of a building which is constructed by the present invention with claddings attached by mechanical screws.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of walls of a building which is constructed by the present invention and reinforced by concrete and rebar.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a standard building block of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a building block of the present invention with increased reinforcement.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an embodiment of an extended end block of the present invention with increased reinforcement.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a corner block of the present invention with increased reinforcement.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a double block of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of and embodiment of an intersecting block of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 an embodiment of a building block 1, used in constructing walls of a building. Building block 1 has an outer block wall 12 defining outer face 8 and a head 5 with side portions 7. The outer face 8 is a generally flat surface and rectangular in shape defining outer edges 9 which are shorter in length than top and bottom edges 11. The outer edges 9 are generally vertical in orientation and the top and bottom edges 11 are generally horizontal in orientation.

[0051] The head 5 on the block extends from the outer block wall 12 on the side opposite the outer face 8 relative to the flat surface. The head 5 extends to define a flat top and bottom surface 13, the inwardly concave sides 15, and the outwardly convex surface 27 in the side portions 7. The convex surface 27 provides a connecting portion and the concave side 15 provides a receiving portion substantially matching in shape to the connecting portion for receiving in interlocking relationship the connecting portion of a co-operating interlocking block.

[0052] The end 17 of the head 5 defines a vertical slot 19 which extends from the top surface to the bottom surface such that the slot has a back 21 and two sides 23 that meet to define vertical curved inside corners 29. The sides 23 meet the convex surface 27 to define vertical curved edges 25. Convex surface 27 extends outward and toward the block wall 12 from the corner 25 and joins the concave surface 15 that extends inward and toward the wall 12 such that the block at the head is wider than the block at the side portion but is shorter in width at the head than at the outer face. The convex surface 27 defines a linear curved edge 41 adjacent a curved corner 44 defined by the concave surface 15.

[0053] A flange 30 adjoins the concave surface 15 and expands towards the head with a front surface 33 that is parallel to the outer surface 8 that extends to the outer edge 31. The flange 30 functions as an abutment adjacent to the concave surface 15. The junction of the surface 33 and the concave surface 15 define curved corner 46 and curved edge 43. The outer edge 31 of the flange 30 is chamfered preferably in a range from 2 to 4 degrees and optimally at 3 degrees, so as to leave a space of about 2 mm between two abutting blocks thus allowing the introduction of mechanical fasteners 4 between two blocks.

[0054] A hole 35 is located at the top surface of the head portion and extends through the block to the bottom surface to define an internal cavity into which concrete or the like can be poured or provided within the block for additional support.

[0055] The block body has a top surface and a bottom surface. The convex curved surface 27 referred to above provides a connecting portion on either side of the head shaped to fit into a complementary receiving portion provided by the concave surface 15 of another block, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The connecting portions are lobe shaped and fit in an interlocking relationship with complementary receiving portions. The abutment portions of front surface 33 defined by the flange 30 are complementary and fit into the vertical slot 19 of another block.

[0056] Hence a vertical slot of one block accommodates the abutment portions of two other abutting blocks, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0057] The vertical corners 29, 44, 46 and vertical edges 25, 41, 43 defined in the block between the various vertical surfaces of the connecting portions and receiving portions are generally rounded, or radius corners and radius edges, preferably with a radius in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm. In contrast, the prior art blocks defined sharp linear corners and linear edges that resulted in tight tolerances between the interlocking portions of the block and resulted in chipping of the blocks during assembly. The rounded or radius corners and radius edges in the present invention overcome these problems and allow for an easier assembly of multiple interlocking blocks and minimize chipping between the interlocking portions of the block. The radius corners and radius edges of the connecting portions and receiving portions allow for some flexion of the blocks in an assembled wall, increasing strength and preventing breakage of the blocks.

[0058] Another embodiment of a building block 100 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 in which the width of the flange 30 is increased, extending the outer wall 12 of the block further away from the head portion 5 of the block. A separating wall 41 is provided between the outer wall 12 and the head portion 5 to create an additional hollow cavity 36 between the outer wall 12 and head portion 5. The hollow cavity 36 may be filled with insulation material, reinforcing material or may provide passageways for utility conduits.

[0059] Another embodiment of a building block 110 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5, comprising an extended end block with additional hollow cavity 36 resulting from an increased width of the flange 30 and the width of the end wall 40 so as to create the hollow cavity 36 between the head portion and outer wall. A separating wall 41 extends between the head piece and outer wall 12. The hollow cavity 36 may be filled with insulation material, reinforcing material or may provide passageways for utility conduits.

[0060] Another embodiment of a building block 120 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 comprising a corner block that is equivalent to one and a half of the blocks 1, if the other blocks 1 were bisected at approximately a 45-degree angle to remove one lobe shaped connector, abutment portion, and receptable and two of the resulting portions, mirrored in image were connected along the plain of dissection. Block 120 has a w shaped channel 38 that runs between both lobe shaped connectors 27 and are configured to retain an abutment portion of another building block on either side of the w shaped channel. The corner block includes a connecting piece 39 that runs from a 45-degree angle from the corner of the block to intersect the w shaped channel 38. An alternative corner block 120 can also include a hollow cavity 37 that may accommodate rebar reinforcement or utilities such as power or water conduits. The hollow cavity 36 is defined by the extended width of the abutment portions thereby positioning of the outer walls further away from the head portions, and the dividing wall 41 provided between head pieces and outer wall to create a hollow cavity 36 that extends along the outer perimeter of the corner block.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, a double block 130 is equivalent to two of the other blocks 1, if the other blocks were joined along the outer face.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, an intersecting block 140 that is equivalent to one and a half of the other blocks, configured such that a half block is attached to the outer face of the other block. This block is configured so that the outer wall forms a right angle.

[0063] The wall of a building is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the concrete block building system is a modular system based on the nominal dimensions of 150 mm wide, 200 mm high, and 399 mm long. The length of the block combined with the chamfered edge creates a 2 mm space between two blocks that allows for the placement of mechanical fasteners between two blocks while maintaining similar dimensions of a standard building block.

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates the placement of mechanical fasteners between the flanges of two blocks to allow claddings to be affixed to the walls. These claddings may consist of insulation or outer or inner wall coverings such as siding or drywall.

[0065] While some embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited by the scope of the appended claims.