CA2532476A1 - Interlocking block - Google Patents

Interlocking block Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2532476A1
CA2532476A1 CA 2532476 CA2532476A CA2532476A1 CA 2532476 A1 CA2532476 A1 CA 2532476A1 CA 2532476 CA2532476 CA 2532476 CA 2532476 A CA2532476 A CA 2532476A CA 2532476 A1 CA2532476 A1 CA 2532476A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
interlocking block
face
indentations
block
interlocking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2532476
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Sunseth
Eugene M. Bender
David C. Bender
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hanson Hardscape Products Inc
Original Assignee
Navastone Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Navastone Inc filed Critical Navastone Inc
Priority to CA 2532476 priority Critical patent/CA2532476A1/en
Publication of CA2532476A1 publication Critical patent/CA2532476A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04CSTRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C1/00Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings
    • E04C1/39Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02DFOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/02Retaining or protecting walls
    • E02D29/025Retaining or protecting walls made up of similar modular elements stacked without mortar
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04BGENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0202Details of connections
    • E04B2002/0204Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections
    • E04B2002/0208Non-undercut connections, e.g. tongue and groove connections of trapezoidal shape
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04BGENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/02Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls built-up from layers of building elements
    • E04B2002/0256Special features of building elements
    • E04B2002/0263Building elements for making angled walls

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Retaining Walls (AREA)

Abstract

An interlocking block for interacting with other like blocks including a body having at least a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and a pair of side faces. The bottom face can have a plurality of substantially identical parallel transverse indentations but only in the bottom face. The grooves can have a constant cross-section and are spaced apart evenly between the front face and the rear face. There may be at least two substantially identical protrusions only on the top face, each protrusion being parallel with and in vertical alignment with one of the indentations, and receivable within a indentation of a like block. There are fewer protrusions than indentations.

Description

INTERLOCKING BLOCK
Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to wall construction and more particularly to a unique interlocking block useful in various types of construction. The interlocking blocks of this invention are particularly useful for building retaining walls and the like, but can also be used for a wide variety structures.

Background of the Invention There are a wide variety of interlocking blocks currently available for use in the construction of retaining walls and similar structures. These blocks typically allow for a number of courses to be composed of similarly shaped blocks that are arranged one on top of the other in such a way that the blocks of one course interlock with the blocks of the adjacent courses to produce a wall. These walls can therefore act as retaining structures which can exhibit a relatively high degree of resistance to horizontal shear forces.

Typically these interlocking blocks are usually useable in only one orientation so that if a retaining wall structure is being constructed the interlocking blocks must always have one face directed outwardly to form a visible wall surface, and the opposite face directed inwardly against the earth or material being retained. Furthermore the typical interlocking block does not allow for a retaining wall to have a high degree of curve to it therefore limiting the structure to relatively straight lines.

Traditional interlocking blocks are often rectangle in shape and therefore do not allow for the interlocking blocks to be manipulated into creating different shaped structures using the same interlocking block. Therefore typical interlocking blocks do not allow for a great deal of flexibility in retaining wall construction or other types of structures.

Thus an interlocking block which allows for improved flexibility for installation, can be used for a variety of different structures including small circles, can be oriented so that the retaining structure has the interlocking blocks flush with one another, or receding forwards or backwards, is desirable.
Summary of the Invention An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved interlocking block that can interact with similar blocks to build a variety of structures such as a retaining wall.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an interlocking block for interacting with other like blocks including a body having at least a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and a pair of side faces.
The bottom face can have a plurality of substantially identical parallel transverse indentations but only on the bottom face. The indentation can have a constant cross-section and are spaced apart evenly between the front face and the rear face. There may be at least two substantially identical protrusions only on the top face, each protrusion being parallel with and in vertical alignment with one of the indentations, and receivable within an indentation of a like block. There are fewer protrusions than indentations.

Conveniently, the body in cross section is substantially in the shape of a trapezoid and the side faces are substantially tapered from the front face to the rear face.
The interlocking block may further include a splitting grove extending from the back face to a point before the front face and at least one splitting slot extending there across from one side face to the other.

Preferably, the indentations can extend across from one side face to the other or they can be oval, or circular. The corresponding protrusions may be the identical shape as those of the indentations so that the protrusions register within the indentations.

Advantages of the present invention are: interlocking blocks can be assembled into raised, multi-level retaining walls and structural walls of various sizes, strong locking between interlocking blocks, easy assembly, easy to use, multiple similar textured faces to allow for inside and outside curves, a splitting groove allows for consistent faced corners therefore providing two similar textured faces, symmetrically tapered side faces allows for the same block to be used in different situations such as corners and curves, splitting slots allow for the interlocking block to be used in different situations and also allow for more accurate sizing, cutting and measuring, the retaining wall can be easily modified, the interlocking block can be used to build retaining walls that are straight, cured or in a small or large circle, and the interlocking block can be used to make these walls recessed forward or backward or flush, the interlocking block can be used to make flower beds, gardens, tree rings, edging, planters, garden fountains, decorative walls, steps, sand boxes and ponds.

Brief Description of the Drawings A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 in a perspective view, illustrates an interlocking block in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1.
Figure 3 in a front elevation view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1.
Figure 4 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1.

Figure 5 in a rear elevation view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1.
Figure 6 in a top plan view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1.
Figure 7 in a bottom view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1.

Figure 8 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1 interacting with another interlocking block in a flush position.

Figure 9 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 1 interacting with another interlocking block is an offset position.

Figure 10 in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 10.
Figure 12 in a front elevation view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 10.
Figure 13 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 10.

Figure 14 in a rear view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 10.
Figure 15 in a top plan view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 10.
Figure 16 in a bottom view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 10.

Figure 17a in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17b in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a.
Figure 18 in a front elevation view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a.
Figure 19 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a.

Figure 20 in a rear view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a.
Figure 21 in a top plan view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a.
Figure 22 in a bottom plan view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a.
Figure 23 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a interacting with another interlocking block in a flush position.

Figure 24 in a side view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a interacting with another interlocking block in an offset position.

Figure 25 in a top view, illustrates the interlocking block of Figure 17a interacting with other interlocking blocks in a circular position.

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 to 9, there is illustrated in a perspective view, an interlocking block 10 for interacting with other like blocks 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The interlocking block 10 for interacting with other like blocks 12 includes a body 14 having at least a front face 16, a rear face 18, a top face 20, a bottom face 22 and a pair of side faces 24. The bottom face 22 can have a plurality of substantially identical parallel transverse indentations 26 but only in the bottom face 22.
The indentations 26 can have a constant cross-section and are spaced apart evenly between the front face 16 and the rear face 18. There may be at least two substantially identical protrusions 28 only on the top face 20, each protrusion 28 being parallel with and in vertical alignment with one of the indentations 26, and receivable within the indentation 26 of a like block 12. There are fewer protrusions 28 than indentations 26. In the first preferred embodiment the body 14 may be substantially trapezoid in shape. Furthermore the side faces 24 are substantially tapered from the front face 16 to the rear face 18. The protrusions 28 are adapted to engage the indentations 26 to be able to position the interlocking block 10 relative to the like block 12 in a forward, backward or flush position. More specifically depending on the type of structure being constructed, the interlocking blocks 10 can interact with other like blocks 12 to produce courses that can be flush with other blocks 12 (Figure 8), can be offset in a backward direction or offset in a forward direction (Figure 9).

Referring to Figures 10 to 16 in the second preferred embodiment, the interlocking block 10 can further include a splitting groove 30 that extends from the rear face 18 to a point 32 before the front face 16 on the top face 20. The splitting groove 30 allows for the user to easily split the interlocking block 10 in half along the splitting grove 30.
This ability allows for a single design of interlocking block 10 to be used in a variety of situations such as in a corner position when constructing a retaining wall. The interlocking block 10 may also include at least one splitting slot 34 that extends across the top face 20 from one side face 24 to the other side face 24. There can be as many as three splitting slots 34 located on the top face 20. Once again the splitting slots 34 give the ability to use a single type or style of interlocking block 10 in a variety of positions during a construction project.
Specifically the interlocking block 10 can be shortened in length to fit into a construction project such as the corner when building a retaining wall.

Indentations 26 can be a variety of different shapes such as grooves, oval, circular or any shape that corresponds to the shape that are adapted to accept the protrusions 28.
Furthermore the number of indentations 26 can vary but at a minimum should be at least two to match the number of protrusions 28. Typically the indentations 26 are groove-like 36 that have a profile 38 that corresponds to the protrusion profile 40 so that the protrusions 38 easily and securely engage the indentations 26. Furthermore the bottom face 22 of the interlocking block 10 typically has indentations 26 that run across the bottom face 22 from one side face 24 to the other. By having multiple indentations 26 that can engage the protrusions 28 of a like block 12, a variety of structures can be made based on the positioning of the protrusion 28 in the various indentations 26. The protrusions 38 may be a variety of shapes such as oval or circular, as long as their profile 42 matches the profile 40 of the indentations 26 so that the protrusions 38 easily and securely engage the indentations 26.

Moreover depending on the structure being made, the body 14 may have two front faces 16. This can be achieved when the interlocking block 10 is split down the splitting groove 30 thereby exposing side face 24 that has the similar texture to the front face 16. This would be desirable when an interlocking block 10 is being used in a corner position in a wall, therefore providing similar texture to the side face 24 of the interlocking block 10.
Furthermore the front face 16 and the rear face 18 can have upper and lower edges 44 that are chamfered.

Referring to Figures l7a to 25 in the third preferred embodiment, the interlocking block 48 is multiple sided body 50 that when it interacts with other like interlocking blocks 52 interact, it forms a circle 54 with a minimum outside radius of 600 millimetres.
Specifically the interlocking block 48 has multiple sides, namely a front face 56, two angled front faces 58, two side faces 60, a top face 62, a bottom face 64, and an angled rear face 66.
Furthermore the interlocking block 48 further includes at least two protrusions 68 and at least two indentations 70 adapted to securely engage the protrusions 68.

Indentations 70 can be a variety of different shapes such as grooves, oval, circular or any shape that corresponds to the shape that are adapted to accept the protrusions 68.
Furthermore the number of indentations 70 can vary but at a minimum there 2 should be at least two to match the number of protrusions 68. Typically the indentations 70 are groove-like 72 that have a profile 74 that corresponds to the protrusion 68 profile 76 so that the protrusions 68 easily and securely engage the indentations 70. Furthermore the bottom face 64 of the interlocking block 58 typically has indentations 70 that run across the bottom face 64 from one side face 60 to the other. By having multiple indentations 70 that can engage the protrusions 68 of a like block 52, a variety of structures can be made based on the positioning shapes such as oval or circular, as long as their profile 76 matches the profile 74 of the indentations 70 so that the protrusions 68 easily and securely engage the indentations 70.

The interlocking block 58 can have a splitting groove 78 so as to easily split the interlocking block 58 into two pieces. This gives the ability to use a single interlocking block 58 in a variety of construction situations providing greater flexibility to construction situations. Interlocking block 58 also allows for a wide variety of construction projects to be attempted that allow for tight circles of interlocking blocks 58 for walls either recessed forward or backward or flush, flower beds, gardens, tree rings, edging, planters, garden fountains, decorative walls, steps, sand boxes and ponds.

Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (17)

1. An interlocking block for interacting with other like blocks comprising:

(a) a body having at least a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and a pair of side faces;

(b) a plurality of substantially identical parallel transverse indentations only in the bottom face;

(c) the indentations being of constant cross-section and being spaced apart evenly between the front face and the rear face; and (d) at least two substantially identical protrusions only on the top face, each protrusion being parallel with and in vertical alignment with one of the indentations, and adapted to engage an indentation of the like block, there being fewer protrusions than indentations.
2. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body in cross section is substantially in the shape of a trapezoid.
3. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the side faces are substantially tapered from the front face to the rear face.
4. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the interlocking block further comprises a splitting grove extending from the rear face to a point before the front face.
5. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the interlocking block further comprises at least one splitting slot extending there across from one side face to the other.
6. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the protrusions engage the indentations of other like blocks to position the interlocking block relative to the like block in a forward, backward or flush position.
7. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the body has two front faces.
8. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the protrusions are oval shaped.
9. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the protrusions are circular shaped.
10. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indentations are circular shaped.
11. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indentations are oval shaped.
12. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the indentations are groove-like extending from one side face across to the other.
13. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein indentations extend across from one side face to the other.
14. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the front and rear faces have upper and lower edges that are chamfered.
15. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the front face and the rear face have different surface characteristics from the side faces and the top and bottom faces.
16. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the front face and at least one side face have the same surface characteristics.
17. An interlocking block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the interlocking block interacts with like blocks to form a circle with a minimum outside radius of 600 millimetres.
CA 2532476 2006-01-10 2006-01-10 Interlocking block Abandoned CA2532476A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2532476 CA2532476A1 (en) 2006-01-10 2006-01-10 Interlocking block

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2532476 CA2532476A1 (en) 2006-01-10 2006-01-10 Interlocking block

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2532476A1 true CA2532476A1 (en) 2007-07-10

Family

ID=38236277

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2532476 Abandoned CA2532476A1 (en) 2006-01-10 2006-01-10 Interlocking block

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2532476A1 (en)

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