EP0367334A1 - Building block to construct parts of building by simple superposition - Google Patents

Abstract

The building block is provided on its upper face with four parallelepipedal square-based projections (120) situated at the four corners of the face, and with four parallelepipedal projections (110) whose rectangular base is equivalent to the longitudinal joining of two square bases of corner projections, which second projections are situated at one third and at two thirds, respectively, of each of the two longitudinal edges. This block then has complementary parallelepipedal cavities (115, 125) recessed into its lower face. The longitudinal alignment is ensured by a tenon (200) and a mortice (210) on the end faces. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a building block making it possible to build various works such as walls, columns, houses or bridges by simple superimposition, that is to say by stacking a row of blocks on the previous one, these blocks are 'interpenetrating so that their alignment is respected according to the three dimensions and that they do not require any binder like cement or mortar to ensure the general solidity of the building.

The use of rigorously parallelepipedal blocks that are easy to manufacture simultaneously requires the on-site manufacture of cement and the hiring of skilled workers who know how to achieve proper alignment during construction. Therefore, the need for an improved block was quickly felt and many solutions have already been presented.

As illustrated in the presentations FR 2 550 568 or FR 2 525 258 for example, a first improvement consisted in providing these blocks with means making it possible to stabilize their position relative to each other in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the wall. However, these blocks are still expected to be bonded with cement or mortar.

Many other blocks having means which impose good alignment have such a configuration that the use of binder seems unnecessary. By way of example, mention may be made of the blocks described in the presentations FR 2 254 696, FR 2 396 135, FR 2 567 939, FR 2 605 661, WO 85/00632, WO 86/06774 or EP 0 001 360. A the study of these presentations, however, it is easily understood that the solidity of the walls mounted with such blocks is essentially based on the effect of the weight of each element resting on lift bases that are rigorously well aligned. However, these alignment means are generally present either in the form of protrusions of low height, or of ribs of conical cross section. Such means effectively prevent any lateral movement of a block relative to another, but in no way a tilting of a brick out of its position. In other words, possible shearing forces are well balanced but not the rotational movements around the longitudinal lower edges, movements occurring during the buckling of a wall during an earthquake or other accidents.

It will also be noted that the complex shape of certain connection means as illustrated for example in the presentations WO 84/03727, WO 86/04947 or FR 2 498 661 requires the design of several different blocks such as base blocks, half -blocks, blocks in the form of corners to create a homogeneous system allowing the construction of a house in every detail.

The invention solves these difficulties by proposing a new building block whose configuration is such that it ensures great regularity and solidity of the parts of the building constructed by simple superposition without the addition of a binder of such blocks. Such a block must also allow the passage of tubes for supplying water, electricity or the like, or even the passage of metal reinforcing rods considered to be necessary in geographic zones at seismic risk. Finally and above all, this block according to the invention must enable it alone to produce all the forms usually encountered in a building and this possibly requiring only slight modifications easily achievable on the site. This uniqueness of configurations should allow a simple worker to get used to its instructions, a prime contractor to simplify his purchase orders and the manufacturer to make his production profitable by large series.

These goals are achieved thanks to a building block comprising on its upper and lower face of the complementary reliefs and on its end faces of the connection elements, reliefs and elements ensuring a three-dimensional alignment of the blocks with respect to each other. The reliefs on the upper face may be in the form of four parallelepipedic projections with a square base located at the four corners of the face and four parrallelepipedic projections whose rectangular base is equivalent to the longitudinal addition of two square bases of angle projections , which second projections are located at one third and two thirds respectively of each of the two longitudinal edges. The reliefs on the lower face can then be in the form of parallelepipedic cavities complementary to the projections of the upper face. Connection elements on the faces end may be on one side in the form of a median vertical tenon of square cross section and on the other side in the form of a complementary median vertical mortise.

Usefully, vertical conduits 300 are provided in the block at a quarter, half and three-quarters of the length as well as at the junction of the tenon 200 and the corresponding end face.

Preferably, the length of the block is equal to nine times the side of the square base of the angle projections and the width is equal to three times the side effectively establishing the value of the interval between the projections at the value of this side. The square cross section of the median vertical post can then also be equal to the square base of the angle projections.

Advantageously, the height of the projections can also itself be equal to the side of the square base of the angle projections.

According to another characteristic, the height as measured between the upper face and the lower face of the block can be equal to three times the side of the square base of the angle projections.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the side of the square base of the angle projections has a value between 10 and 30 mm.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective latérale du bloc,
• - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du bloc tel que vu par en-dessous,
• - la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un angle de bâtiment monté avec des blocs selon l'invention,
• - la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un raccordement en té,
• - la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de l'édification d'une colonne à section carrée.

The invention will be better understood on studying an embodiment taken by way of nonlimiting example and described by the following figures:

• FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the block,
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the block as seen from below,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a building angle mounted with blocks according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tee connection,
• - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the construction of a square section column.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the building block 100 according to the invention has a general parallelepiped shape with an upper face 103 and a lower face 107. The upper face 103 is completed with parallelepiped protrusions 110, 120 arranged around its periphery while the lower face 107 is hollowed out around its periphery of parallelepipedic cavities 115, 125 in correspondence with the upper protuberances. More particularly, the four protrusions 120 located at the four corners of the upper face 103 have a square base with side c and a height h. The four protrusions 110 located at one third and two thirds respectively of each of the two longitudinal edges have a rectangular base whose width is equal to c and the length equal to twice c. The height of these protrusions 110 is equal to that h of the protrusions 120. In other words, these protrusions 110 equivalent to the longitudinal addition of two protrusions 120. As can be seen on the Figure 1, the outer face of each of these protrusions extends the side faces of the block 100. These protrusions therefore emerge only upward and not laterally.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the cavities of the lower face 107 come in two forms: four cavities with a square base 125 at the four corners of the face and four cavities with a rectangular base 115 located one-third and two-thirds longitudinal edges of this face.

This block 100 is further provided at its end faces with connection elements in the form of a vertical median tenon 200 and a vertical median mortise 210. Preferably, the cross section of this tenon and its mortise corresponding is square. This pin 200 is present over the entire height of the end face, that is to say it starts from the lower face 107 and continues up to the level of the upper face 103. These connecting elements make it possible to confirm the longitudinal alignment of the blocks 100 with respect to each other during their assembly.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the block 100 has the additional feature that its length is equal to nine times the side c, that its width is equal to three times the side c and that the width of the post 200 is also equal to this side c. As a result, the interval 130 between the protrusions 110 and 120 is also found to be equal to c and the association of the mortise 210 and the two cavities 125 means that the lower edge of this end face has entirely faded away. This particular configuration has proved to be the most advantageous after numerous tests of resistance of the materials because it allows an optimum volume for the protuberances of the upper face 103 and the reliefs remaining on the lower face 107. The value of this side c is between 30 and 45 mm.

This block 100 is preferably made by injection under pressure of a mortar into a mold, then drying and cooking. Another technique, certainly more expensive, consists in molding the block 100 in a coarser manner then in completing the form by cutting before drying. Preferably, this mortar comprises a mixture of cement and fine sand allowing the production of well-defined protuberances. We can also consider the addition of asbestos to obtain fiber cement blocks. Various tests have shown that the block can still be produced with concrete of which the size of the stones is not more than 8 mm. Other materials such as clay or adobe can also be used. In any case, it is advisable to use only materials which after drying and / or cooking are absolutely not brittle.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, provision is also made to make transverse conduits in this block 100. Preferably, four vertical conduits are formed along the longitudinal center line: three conduits 300 respectively to the quarter, half and three-quarters of the length of the block and a last conduit 310 located at the junction between the post 200 and the end face. It is also provided four horizontal conduits 320 located in the two longitudinal vertical planes passing through the middle of the two rows of protrusions respectively. These two vertical conduits 320 are located vertically at one-third and two-thirds of the distance separating the upper face 103 and the upper face of the cavities 115, 125. These transverse conduits, with a diameter of the order of 10 to 20 mm, allow the passage of supply tubes such as electrical wires in plastic sheaths or water supply tubes preferably made of plastic reinforced by a tube. metallic. Given the regular position of these conduits, it is easy to decide on the location on the lateral face of the block 100 for the departure of a transverse orifice opening either in a horizontal or vertical conduit. These conduits can also be used to pass through metal rods or portions of rods provided on one side with a thread and on the other with a nut, thus enabling the wall constructed with such blocks to be reinforced.

As described above, this single block alone allows the realization of any type of construction as will be explained below.

Referring to Figure 3, we see how the worker starts a wall from an angle by shifting a row in two of a protuberance. In other words, the worker conventionally has a first row of blocks 101, 102 and 103 then, for the second row of blocks, embeds the first block 104 straddling the block 101 and 103 thereby shifting the block 105 d 'a protrusion to the right as illustrated in Figure 3. This block 105 then simultaneously overlaps the block 101 and 102. Given the arrangement and the particular shapes of the protrusions 110, 120 and the associated cavities, it can be seen that in the right cavity 115 of block 105, the right protuberance 120 of block 101 and the left protrusion 120 of block 102. Likewise, the lower right cavity 115 of block 104 simultaneously encloses the left protrusion 120 of block 101 and the right protrusion of block 103. It can then be seen that the junction between two blocks arranged longitudinally 101,102 is confirmed by the upper block 105. It can also be seen on the row of upper blocks how the post 200 penetrates into the mortise 210 of its longitudinally adjacent block.

The first lower row of blocks is preferably taken from the fresh lower slab. The engagement of the pins 200 in the mortises then allows an alignment of these rigorous blocks even when carried out by an unskilled worker. It is preferable to continue immediately with the second row of blocks immediately confirming the correct lateral and vertical alignment of these initial blocks. Then, the lifting of the walls is done very easily taking into account that the interaction of the protuberances in the cavities requires a rigorous centering of the blocks with respect to each other.

It should also be noted that, given that the protuberances are parallelepiped and not conical, an upper block once engaged can no longer be moved in lateral translation, but also can no longer be tilted by rotation along one of its lower edges. Indeed, for a tilting thus defined can be realized, it would be necessary that the lower part at the level of the cavities of the block can cross an area already occupied by the upper part at right angles to the projections. The solidity of this wall therefore depends simultaneously on the weight of the blocks assembled on each other and on the lateral interaction of the projections in the cavities.

In geographic areas with high seismic risk, it is also possible to take advantage of the vertical conduits 300 to pass there metallic bars or better metallic elements 510 of effective height equal to the height of the block 100, screwing into each other. others to create a metal rod. Advantageously, the first of these elements 510 will be taken with the initial block in the mass of the lower slab. Once the wall is mounted, it can be seen that other vertical conduits 300 allow the passage of supply tubes such as electricity 520 or water 530.

As can be seen in Figure 3, once a corner is mounted, the pins 200 alternately project from one side or the other. Given the vertical duct 310 existing at the junction between the tenon 200 and the block 100 which acts as a point of weakness, it is possible to cleanly break these tenons 200 which have become useless with a hammer. The remanent areas 260 can then easily be flattened always with the hammer.

Figure 4 illustrates the procedure for making a complementary wall at right angles to one of the faces of the house. The best solution is to start the first block of a complementary wall from the middle of one of the blocks of the face wall. The first block of the upper row of the complementary wall can then start by overlapping the side wall as illustrated, which creates an advantageous offset of a protuberance in the side wall and the complementary wall. We can see that this complementary wall will be hung every other row in this side wall. As before, reinforcing elements 510 can advantageously be inserted into the vertical duct 300 at the crossing.

As it is evident from this figure 4, the free end of the complementary wall must be completed every other row with a cubic block easily obtained on site by sawing a standard block along the line 400. As before, conduits for supplying electricity 520 or water 530 can be threaded horizontally through the orifices 320.

FIG. 5 illustrates the procedure for mounting a square section column by group superimposition of three adjacent blocks along their longitudinal side one on top of the other. Advantageously, nine vertical conduits 300 make it possible to arm such a column using metallic elements 510.

As we could see on reading the above description, the building block according to the invention allows an unskilled worker to mount the different parts of a building without error, thanks to the reliefs and elements of connection of blocks ensuring self-alignment and efficient embedding. Walls constructed with such blocks are found to be strong and stable although no concrete has been used. This lack of use of concrete appears to be a great advantage for construction sites because it no longer becomes necessary to store gravel, bags of cement and to use a concrete mixer machine. In addition, the use of a single block for all the masonry of a site allows the site manager to optimize his purchase orders and to simplify the instruction to be given to workers. Finally, it is clear that it is more advantageous for the manufacturer to produce only one type of block on a large scale than a family of blocks, some of which are rarely used. Finally, the transport of these blocks from the factory to the site is facilitated by the fact that these blocks can be mounted on pallets in a manner analogous to the mounting of a column as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Many improvements can be made to this block in the context of this invention.

Claims (6)

1. Building block for the construction of parts of a building by simple superimposition comprising on its upper and lower face complementary reliefs and on its end faces connecting elements, reliefs and elements ensuring a three-dimensional alignment of the blocks relative to each other characterized in that the reliefs on the upper face are in the form of four parallelepipedic projections (120) with square base located at the four corners of the face, four projections (110) parrallélépipédiques whose rectangular base is equivalent at the longitudinal addition of two square projection bases (120), which projections (110) are located at one third and two thirds respectively of each of the two longitudinal edges; the reliefs on the lower face are in the form of parallelepipedic cavities (115,125) complementary to the projections (110,120) of the upper face; and in that the connection elements on the end faces are on one side in the form of a median vertical stud (200) of square cross section and on the other side in the form of a vertical middle mortise complementary. 2. Building block according to claim 1, characterized in that vertical conduits (300) are provided in the block a quarter, half and three-quarters of the length as well as at the junction of the post (200) and the corresponding end face. 3. Building block according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that its length is equal to nine times the side (c) of the square base of the angle projections (120) and in that its width is equal to three times side (c), effectively establishing the value of the interval (130) between projections (110,120) to the value of side (c); and in that the square cross section of the median vertical stud (200) is equal to the square base of the angle projections (120). 4. Building block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the projections (110,120) is equal to the side (c) of the square base of the angle projections (120). 5. Building block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height (h) as measured between the upper face and the lower face of the block is three times the side (c). 6. Building block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side (c) of the square base of the angle projections (120) has a value between 10 and 30 mm.

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