GB2127872A - Paving or building block - Google Patents

Abstract

The block has a cross-section in the shape of a trapezium symmetrical about an axis joining the mid-points of the parallel edges, the sum of the lengths of the two parallel edges being the same as that of either of the non-parallel edges. Such blocks may be combined to create a wide range of desired arrangements. The block may be hollow, e.g. for growing plants. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to building blocks The invention relates to building blocks, as, for example paving stones.

Building blocks such as paving stones are usually moulded in concrete and are used in the construction of garden paths and patios and in pedestrian walks in municipal gardens and housing estates.

Concern for good design in building blocks, such as paving stones has hitherto been the province of landscape architects and designers of garden products. Conventional pavirig stones are usually in one of three shapes-square, rectangular or hexagonal. Square and rectangular paving stones can be placed end to end to construct straight paths of uniform width. Any deviation in direction other than a right angle turn creates the problem of leaving a wedgeshaped space between successive stones, or the cutting of the stones to fit. Square and rectangular shapes, in common with all quadrilaterals can be used to tessellate, that is to cover a plane surface leaving no uncovered surface between shapes. Hexagonal tiles can be tessellate producing patterns of striking appearance, but create the problem of producing paths of non-uniform width.There has not hitherto existed a building block which enables the construction of paths, barriers or the like in a way which avoids these problems.

I have now devised a building block which has the versatility required to substantially avoid the problems outlined above. According to my invention I provide a building block having a cross-section in the shape of a trapezium which is substantially symmetrical about an axis joining the mid-points of the parallel edges, the sum of the lengths of the two parallel edges being substantially the same as either of the nonparallel edges.

It is preferred that the included angle formed between the projections of the non-parallel edges is such as to be an exact divisor of ninety degrees.

My invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are by way of example only and in which Figs. 1 to 5 show a variety of cross-sectional shapes applicable to building blocks falling within this invention.

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a number of building blocks laid edge-to-edge such as might form a path.

Fig. 7 shows a plan of a number of building blocks forming a junction.

Fig. 8 shows a plan of a number of building blocks forming a right angle turn.

Fig. 9 shows a plan of a number of building blocks forming a circle.

Figs. 10 to 1 3 show decorative patterns formed by the tessellation of a number of building blocks.

Fig. 1 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a building block and Fig. 1 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment similar to Fig. 14 with the central portion hollowed out.

The geometric properties of the block of my invention permit a family of shapes with varying included angles. Theoretically an infinite set of angles is permissible within the divisibiiity property previously described, but, in practice, this set of angles, namely, 45 degrees, 30 degrees, 22.1/2 degrees, 18 degrees and 15 degrees provide sufficient variety. The set of five shapes corresponding to this series of angles is illustrated below in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, in which sides 1 and 2 are parallel and in total are equivalent to side 3 or side 4.

The unique shape of my building block is such that a number of such blocks can be used to form a construction of either straight or randomly varying direction. In the case of paving stones, for example, they can therefore be used to follow, for example, the edge of an irregularly shaped flower bed, or to avoid an obstruction such as the trunk of a tree. Such an arrangement is shown in plan view in relation to Figure 6.

Alternatively, a plurality of such blocks having an included angle of e.g. 22.1/20 can be used to form a construction with a ninety degree turn as illustrated in plan view in Figure 8. The inside edge of the turn has a positive radius, and, in the case of a path it is more negotiable by, for example, a wheel-barrow or a child's tricycle than a right angle turn formed by rectangular or square tiles.

A number of such blocks can be used to form a T-junction as illustrated in plan view in Figure 7, or, when the included angle is, e.g. 22.1/20, a circle as illustrated in plan view in Figure 9. In the case of paving stones, this would allow the stones to be used as a surround at the base of a tree.

The principle of my invention is of application to a wide range of building materials. Thus, if a solid wedge-shaped block of mortar, concrete or other suitable building material having the required cross-section is provided, as is illustrated in Figure 14, then a row of such blocks laid sideto-side along their sides A can form a soiid barrier wall unbroken in its running length and capable of great variation in shape. This has applications in security, especially in the security of buildings against terrorist attack. As a variant of this design, such a block can be in the form of a hollow vessel as illustrated in Figure 1 5. This allows the provision of a similar form of barrier wall but the hollow centre can be filled with soil into which shrubs, flowers or trees can be planted, thus providing an aesthetic amenity in addition to satisfying a function.

The building blocks may also comprise bricks or tiles, including floor tiles, in almost any material conventionally used to make such articles. When applied to bricks or tiles, such articles may be used as a tessellate in a variety of decorative patterns as illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, e.g. for walls, floors, patios and the like.

Claims (8)

Claims (Filed on 2 Sept '83)

1. A building block having a cross-section in the shape of a trapezium which is substantially symmetrical about an axis joining the mid-points of the parallel edges, the sum of the lengths of the parallel edges being substantially the same as either of the non-parallel edges.

2. A building block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the included angle formed between the projections of the non-parallel edges is an exact divisor of ninety degrees.

3. A building block as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the included angle formed between the projections of the non-parallel edges is 150,180,22.1/20,300 or450.

4. A building block as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 which is a paving stone.

5. A building block as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 which is a brick, concrete block, or tile.

6. A building block as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 which is in the form of a hollowedout block.

7. A building block as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 substantially as hereinbefore described.

8. A building block substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.