EP2430255A1

EP2430255A1 - A block

Info

Publication number: EP2430255A1
Application number: EP09844561A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andre Esterhuizen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-13
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2012-03-21
Also published as: EP2430255A4; ZA201108798B; WO2010131083A1

Abstract

A building block 10 comprising an opposing pair of sides 12 and an opposing pair of ends 14 and having operatively top 16 and bottom sides 18. The building block defines a longitudinal axis between the ends and a number of complementary locating formations on the top and bottom sides for locating the building blocks relative to adjacent similar building blocks in adjacent courses of a wall constructed using the building blocks. The building block is characterised in that each side comprises two angled faces 24 which are disposed at an oblique angle relative to each other. The faces taper in a generally outwards direction and converge at a midsection defined approximately midway between the top and bottom sides to form a longitudinally extending seam 26 on exterior surfaces of the sides such that a recess 30 is defined between the seams of building blocks of adjacent courses in a wall constructed using the building blocks. The recess permits a relatively thicker layer of plaster to be applied to fill the recess and consequently reinforces the plaster against cracking in the region of a join between the building blocks in one course and the building blocks in an adjacent course.

Description

A BLOCK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a building block. Specifically, the invention relates to a building block for use in an interlocking block building system for constructing, in particular, low-cost housing structures.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Interlocking building block systems for constructing houses, retaining walls and other load-bearing wall structures are well known.

Interlocking block systems comprise blocks having complementary formations on top and bottom surfaces for engaging with like blocks in a stacked arrangement.

Generally, walls constructed using interlocking block systems are plastered post construction. A difficulty associated with interlocking block systems is that very little or no mortar is used between blocks of adjacent courses. A reason for this is that the top and bottom sides of interlocking blocks define less surface area for the application of mortar in comparison to conventional non-interlocking building blocks which have planar top and bottom surfaces. Accordingly, in interlocking block systems there is relatively more movement of the blocks of adjacent courses relative to one another than in non-interlocking block systems. This movement between courses of blocks often causes the layer of plaster to weaken and crack adjacent the join between blocks in adjacent courses.

The building block of the invention seeks to ameliorate difficulties associated with known interlocking building block systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a building block comprising an opposing pair of sides and an opposing pair of ends and having operative top and bottom sides, the building block defining a longitudinal axis between the ends and a number of complementary locating formations on the top and bottom sides for locating the building block relative to adjacent similar building blocks in adjacent courses of a wall constructed using the building blocks, the building block being characterised in that each side comprises two angled faces which are disposed at an oblique angle relative to each other and wherein the faces taper in a generally outwards direction and converge at a midsection defined approximately midway between the top and bottom sides to a form a longitudinally extending seam on exterior surfaces of the sides such that a recess is defined between the seams of building blocks of adjacent courses in a wall constructed using the building blocks, thereby permitting a relatively thicker layer of plaster to be applied to fill the recesses and consequently reinforcing the plaster against cracking in the region of a join between the building blocks in one course and the building blocks in an adjacent course, in use.

The sides and ends may define side walls and end walls having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces. The building block may have a hollow central region wherein the interior surfaces of the side walls and end walls define a central open-ended passage extending through the block and wherein the passage may be divided into two separate adjoining passages by a centrally positioned dividing wall having interior surfaces.

The interior surfaces of the side walls, end walls and dividing wall may be tapered inwardly from the open end of the passages, converging at a general midsection approximately midway between the top and bottom sides.

The exterior surface of at least one of the end walls may comprise two angled faces which are disposed at an oblique angle relative to each other and wherein the faces taper in a generally outwards direction and converge at a midsection defined approximately midway between the top and bottom sides to form a longitudinally extending seam on the exterior surface.

The locating formations may comprise a number of projections defined on the top side and a number of complementary grooves defined in the bottom side of the building block.

The projections may be smaller than the grooves in order to define a gap between the projection and the groove in an engaged condition of blocks of adjacent courses.

The gap may be approximately two millimetres wide.

The passages may define radiused internal corners. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the building block according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the building block of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the building block of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the building block of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 shows a partially constructed wall using a number of the building blocks according to Figure 1 , in a stacked arrangement; and

Figure 6 is a side view showing the recess defined between the seams of similar building blocks of adjacent courses in a stacked arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, a building block in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The block is of the type that may generally be referred to as an interlocking block. The block is generally rectangular comprising opposing sides 12 and opposing ends 14 and including operatively top 16 and bottom sides. Furthermore, the block is generally hollow in the central region with the sides and ends defining outer peripheral side walls and end walls having interior and exterior surfaces and wherein the interior surfaces 20 of the side walls and end walls define a central open-ended passage which extends through the body of the block. The central passage is divided into two equal adjoining passages by a central dividing wall 22 having interior surfaces. The block defines a longitudinal axis extending between its ends. Each of the side walls 12 is comprised of two faces 24 which are disposed at an oblique angle relative to each other. The faces taper at an angle of approximately seven degrees in a generally outwards direction and converge at a midsection defined approximately midway between the top and bottom sides to define a longitudinally extending seam 26 on the exterior surfaces of the side walls. Preferably, at least one of the end walls is also subdivided into similar tapering faces 28. In practice, the blocks in a course are laid such that the flat end of one block is located adjacent the tapered end of another. The effect of the tapered end wall is to create a gap between adjacent blocks in a course of building blocks into which mortar or other suitable adhesive substance may be inserted. Furthermore, the inventor envisages that the gap created by placing one flat end adjacent to one tapered provides manoeuvrability and end facilitates alignment of the blocks during the laying process.

The effect of the tapering side walls is to define a recess 30 between the seams of blocks in adjacent courses of a wall constructed using the building blocks, as it shown in Figure 6. Walls constructed using interlocking building blocks are usually plastered over post construction. As a result of the reduced surface area of the top sides and bottom sides of interlocking blocks as compared to conventional building blocks which have generally planar top sides and bottom sides, little or no mortar is applied between adjacent courses of blocks. Accordingly, the stacked blocks tend to move relative to each other which, over time, results in the cracking of the plaster adjacent the join between blocks in adjacent courses.

However, in accordance with the invention, the recesses defined between adjacent courses of building blocks permit a relatively thicker layer of plaster being applied over these regions. Accordingly, the plaster is rendered stronger and less likely to crack in these usually weakened regions. It is further the inventor's view that the tapering of the side walls of the block enhances the load bearing capacity of the block by distributing weight carried by the block over a wider angle.

The building block has a number of projections 32 extending from its top side. There are preferably two spaced apart projections extending from the top side of each side wall, one from the top side of each end wall and one from the top side of the central dividing wall. There are a number of corresponding grooves 34 defined in the bottom side of the block that are positioned directly opposite the projections of the top side. As illustrated in Figure 5, the grooves are configured to engage the projections of a similar block in a stacked arrangement of the blocks during the construction of a wall or other structure. The projections are generally rectangular formations having a top side and inwardly sloped side walls 36.

Although the projections and corresponding grooves are the same shape, the projections are slightly smaller than the grooves so that a marginal gap 38 of approximately two millimetres is defined between the projection and groove in an engaged condition thereof. The gap provides a space for the insertion of a paste or other adhesive substance between stacked blocks in adjacent courses during the building process. In interlocking building block systems, the top and bottom sides of the blocks define less surface area for the application of mortar in comparison to conventional non-interlocking building blocks, which generally have planar top and bottom sides. It is the inventor's view that, in an attempt to increase the stability of structures built using conventional interlocking block systems, the blocks are adapted to locate each other so snugly that, as a result, there is no space for the insertion of any additional adhesive substance between stacked blocks of adjacent courses. In this regard, it is envisaged by the inventor that the gaps defined between the locating projections and grooves of interlocked blocks permits the application of a relatively thin layer of mortar between the blocks of adjacent courses, thereby enhancing the stability of a wall constructed using the building blocks. In use, the top and bottom sides of the building block would be dipped into a trap of mortar and then stacked accordingly.

A further feature of the invention provides for the interior surfaces 20 of the walls defining the passages to taper inwardly from the open ends of each of the passages and to converge approximately midway between the top and bottom sides. As a consequence of the tapering interior surfaces 20, the walls are substantially thicker than in the case of conventional interlocking building blocks. Specifically, as a result of the tapering of both the interior surfaces and the exterior surfaces, the side walls of the blocks are thickest approximately midway between the top and bottom sides of the block, which, according to the inventor, is where they tend to crack. Accordingly, these thicker blocks have a higher load bearing capacity than traditional interlocking blocks. In addition, the passages defined by the walls have radiused corners 42 which, it is envisaged by the inventor, further enhances the structural integrity of the block.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A building block comprising an opposing pair of side and an opposing pair of ends and having operative top and bottom sides, the building block defining a longitudinal axis between the ends and a number of complementary locating formations on the top and bottom sides for locating the building blocks relative to adjacent similar building blocks in adjacent courses of a wall constructed using the building blocks, the building block being characterised in that each side comprises two angled faces which are disposed at an oblique angle relative to each other and wherein the faces taper in a generally outwards direction and converge at a midsection defined approximately midway between the top and bottom sides to form a longitudinally extending seam on exterior surfaces of the sides such that a recess is defined between the seams of building blocks of adjacent courses in a wall constructed using the building blocks, thereby permitting a relatively thicker layer of plaster to be applied to fill the recesses and consequently reinforcing the plaster against cracking in the region of a join between the building blocks in one course and the building blocks in an adjacent course, in use.

2. A building block as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sides and ends define side walls having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces.

3. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building block defines a hollow central region wherein the interior surfaces of the side walls and end walls define a central open-ended passage extending through the building block and wherein the passage is divided into two separate adjoining passages by a centrally positioned dividing wall having interior surfaces.

4. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the interior surfaces of the side walls, end walls and dividing wall taper inwardly from open ends of the passages, converging at a general midsection approximately midway between the top and bottom sides.

5. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior surface of at least one of the end walls comprises two angled faces which are disposed at an oblige angle relative to each other and wherein the faces taper in a generally outwards direction and converge at a midsection defined approximately midway between the top and bottom sides to form a longitudinally extending seam on the exterior surface.

6. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locating formations comprise a number of projections defined on the top side and number of complementary grooves defined in the bottom side of the building block.

7. A building block as claimed in claim 6, wherein the projections are smaller than the grooves to define a gap between the projection and the groove in an engaged condition of blocks of adjacent courses.

8. A building block as claimed in claim 7, wherein the gap is approximately two millimetres wide.

9. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passages define radiused internal corners.