GB2077796A - Building blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

The first block (10) is generally fully circular or annular in horizontal cross-section, with parallel, generally planar end faces (13) while the second block (11) closely matable with the first, is a double-concave member having two equal and opposite concavely arcuate faces (16) connected by two convex faces (17) the radii of curvature of the concave and convex faces being identical with each other (though mathematically of opposite sign) and with that of the first block (10). Thus, the second block (11) will interlockably complement on each side with a respective first block (10) the concave surfaces (16) of the second block (11) mating with the convex portion of the adjoining circular first blocks (10) with the centres of curvature being along a straight line or a curve, as desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building blocks This invention relates to building blocks and although it is in no way so restricted, it will hereinafter be particularly described with reference to blocks adapted to form walling made up of a plurality of such blocks.

The invention is a significant development of the invention disclosed in my British patent specification No.1,327,687.

In the said specification of the invention there is disclosed and claimed a building block having a plane of symmetry and two arcuate faces having the same radius of curvature, one of the two faces being convex and the other concave, the centres of curvature of said faces of the block being located in the said plane of symmetry, the convex face of the block extending along a longer arc than the concave face, and the concave face of the block being capable of accommodating any part of the convex face of a like block enabling said faces of the two blocks to be placed in close mating engagement with one another with the blocks in any one of a number of angular relationships.

The invention in my said specification has enjoyed commercial success when applied to kerb lines, especially temporary kerb lines. However, the building blocks of my earlier invention have not in practice proved very suitable for use in walling, revetments, bollards, columns and architectural use, owing to manufacturing difficulties and, relative to at least some of the embodiments disclosed, to the complicated nature of the basic block shapes.

The present invention seeks to overcome, or at least reduce, the above-mentioned difficulties and to provide for building blocks suitable for the areas of application mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

This invention seeks to retain the interlockable complementary shapes of the block of my earlier invention, but now this feature is obtained by the use of two blocks of different configuration. This is in order to facilitate manufacture of the blocks and the mass production of moulds for casting concrete blocks which are self-stackable.

According to this invention, there is provided, in combination, a first block which is generally fully circular or annular in horizontal cross-section, with parallel, generally planar end faces, while the second block, closely matable with the first, is a double-concave member having two equal and opposite concavely arcuate faces connected by two convex faces, the radii of curvature of the concave and convex faces being identical with each other (though mathematically of opposite sign, of course) and with that of the first block.

Thus, it is possible to regard the second block as being derived from the first block by the removal of two lune-shaped portions. This second block will interlockably complement on each side with a respective first block, the concave surfaces of the second block mating with the convex portion of the adjoining circular blocks with the centres of curvature being along a straight line or a curve, as desired.

The first and/or the second block may have a throughgoing central hole, although blocks to be used as coping stones would be solid.

Although the blocks would preferably have smooth side faces, in a varient they may be scalloped.

In vertical section the blocks may be rightcylindrical or right-annular.

In another preferred embodiment, however, the first block has an upwardly tapering outer side face so that in its solid variant it is trapezoidal in vertical section while in its annular variant the inner face has an opposing taper so that in vertical section the block shape reduces to two spaced apart trapeziums. In this embodiment, the second block has an equal and opposite taper, that is to say, its outer side surface tapers downwardly and in its annular variant its inner side face tapers upwardly.

The fact that the trapezoidal portion of the second block is inverted means that the concave surfaces engage with the convex surfaces of the circular or annular blocks, with the result that Jateral movement is inhibited, thus providing stability and rigidity while allowing a flexible plan form with a series of blocks.

One end face of the first and/or the second block may be provided with narrow radial grooves each extending from the centre or central hole to a point short of the outer edge of the face. Where a tie rod is to be used, the groove is extended to the outer edge by cutting away the small section of the material, e.g. concrete of the block. The second block may only have two grooves lying on the same diametral plane extending through the centres of the concave arcs.

Walling constructed of alternate annular first and second blocks may be bedded in mortar or laid dry, strength and rigidity being obtained by filling the central holes with fine concrete. This concrete can hold the tie wires in position.

The grooves allow conventional tie rods or continuous high tensile galvanised wire to be used as horizontal reinforcement between a series of blocks. This has the effect of linking the concrete filling into a homogeneous, very strong structure.

When the blocks are intended as coping blocks, they may be of slightly larger diameter than the walling blocks, and approximately one-half the thickness. The coping blocks are of solid construction without a throughgoing hole and have a similar batten or taper on the circular and concave faces allowing an interlock with alternate inverted blocks.

The manufacture of blocks with vertical (nontapering) sides allows a wide range of decorative treatment, for example, scalloped (as already mentioned) angled or grooved, to improve the strength of interlock with adjoining blocks.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are believed to possess the following advantages: 1. Speed of erection -- when the blocks are laid dry the central hole is filled with fine concrete as each lift of walling is completed. This is particularly useful for walling in river and sea defence works where tidal working is necessary.

2. The walling can be reinforced both horizontally and vertically and the configuration of the blocks gives stability.

3. The blocks can be laid to a flexible layout, e.g. straight lines, simple and compound curves or junctions up to 900.

4. Skilled labour is not required for erecting such a simply manipulatable system.

5. The tapered or curved mantle surface gives a pleasing "scalloped" effect and the reversed taper on alternate blocks gives an aesthetically satisfactory pattern of light and shade whereby to relieve the drabness of plain concrete surfaces.

6. When used as permanent shuttering the blocks will be tied to backing concrete as each lift is cast. The difficulties in supporting shuttering and the construction of curved and radial shuttering are avoided.

7. When used as revetments or retaining walls each course of blocks may be offset to produce a batter of up to 300 with the vertical. The angle of batter may be increased by bedding the blocks at an angle of 200 with the horizontal.

8. The blocks have a particular advantage when used on radial structures such as filter beds and for construction compound curves for raised flower beds where interesting layouts can be created.

9. The blocks may serve as temporary walling for exhibitions by using tie rods and filling the central recess with sand. This allows a stable wall to be built but which may be removed when desired and the blocks re-used.

10. Variations in the appearance of the walls may be obtained by inverting alternate courses of blocks without affecting the stability of the wall.

11. The annular blocks may be used to construct bollards. The blocks may be laid with a central reinforcing rod and the central hole filled with fine concrete. The appearance of the bollard can be varied by inverting alternate blocks as desired.

12. In order to avoid haulage costs of manufactured concrete blocks, moulds made of a lightweight vacuum-formed plastics material would allow local manufacture. The taper on each block allows the moulds to be self-stackable and would occupy a minimum of space. These moulds would be of particular advantage to the home handyman who would wish to cast blocks himself.

13. A further advantage of lightweight moulds is that if they are provided with a lid they can be filled with sand and used as temporary walling for exhibitions and display work. In this respect they could replace sand bags as emergency walling against flooding.

By constructing the walling in a series of arcs considerable stability can be obtained.

The invention will now be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, respectively in perspective view, vertical cross-section and plan view; Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, respectively in perspective view, vertical cross-section and plan view; Figures 7 to 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention, respectively in perspective view, vertical cross-section and plan view, which is a "scalloped variant" of the first embodiment, it being understood that there may be a "scalloped variant" of the second embodiment, and Figure 10 shows in perspective a solid walling built from building blocks according to the second embodiment and topped with associated matching solid coping blocks.

Referring to the embodiment iilustrated in Figures 1 to 3, two like "first" or annular building blocks 10 are interconnected by a "second" or interlocking block 11.

The block 10 is a right annulus, i.e. circular in horizontal section and rectangular in vertical section (Figure 2). Its central hole 1 2 extends over approximately 32 of the diameter of the block 10 and has a plain annular surface. Its top and bottom faces 13, 14 are planar. The top face 13 is provided with a plurality of angularly equi-spaced radial grooves extending from the hole 1 2 to just short of the radially outer edge of the block 10.

The side face 1 5a of the block 10 is circularly convex.

The interlocking block 11 has two diametrically opposite concave faces 1 6 of equal curvature to each other and also equal in the absolute sense, to the face 1 5a of the block 10. The concave faces 1 6 are interconnected by two diametrically opposite convex faces 1 7 of the same curvature as the face 1 5a. The faces 16, 17 each extend over about 900 although this is not essential.

The block 11 has a central throughgoing hole 1 8 the side walls or faces of which are parallel with the faces 1 6, 1 7 i.e. two concave faces 1 9 are interconnected by two convex faces 20, although the shape of the hole is not essential.

The top face 21 of the block 11 has two grooves 22 lying on the same diametral plane that "bisects" the concave faces 1 6 and 1 9. These grooves 22, unlike the grooves 1 5 of the block 10, extend from the hole 1 8 to the opposite edge of the block 11.

It will be appreciated that the concave faces of block 11 can matingly accommodate any part of the convex face of the block 10. Thus, by laying the blocks 10, 11 alternately, a "scalloped" line, which may be a straight line, a simple curve or a compound curve may be achieved. Several such superposed rows will then give rise to walling. The blocks may be secured together in the manner described above.

The embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 differs from that of Figures 1 to 3 essentially in that the blocks here designated 110 and 111 (and with parts corresponding to parts in Figures 1 to 3 having their reference numbers increased by 100) are given an equal and opposite taper. Thus the block 110 is frusto-conical with its upper face 113 smaller than its base 1 14; the block 111 is aiso frusto-conical and of the same cone angle so that it may be laid, inverted, in close mating engagement against the block 11 0. The central holes 112, 11 8 may taper correspondingly. The frusto-conical shapes improve the lateral stability of a juxtaposed row of blocks. Further description is believed to be unnecessary.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 9, the building blocks 210 and 211 (and with parts corresponding to parts in Figures 1 to 3 having their reference numbers increased by 200) differ from the blocks 10 and 11 by having a corrugated or scalloped contour. Thus the outer faces 21 5a, 216 and 217 are formed with identically dimensioned, narrow, substantially plane "lands" 230 alternating with wider concave sections 231.

The holes 212 and 218 are of the same shape as 12 and 18.

Finally, Figure 10 shows a wall made up of alternating and superposed blocks 11 0, 111 topped by coping stones made from blocks 410, 411. The blocks 410, 411 are of essentially the same basic configuration as the blocks 110, 111 but are solid, i.e. they have no central holes, and they are of slightly larger diameter than the blocks 110, 111.

Claims (11)

1. In combination, a first building block which is generally fully circular or annular in horizontal cross-section, with parallel, generally planar end faces, and a second building block which is capable of being brought into close mating relationship with the double-concave member having two equal and opposite concavely arcuate faces connected by two convex faces being identical with each other (though mathematically of opposite sign) and with that of the first block.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the said first and/or second block has or each of them has a throughgoing central hole.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein blocks to be used as coping stones are solid, unperforated blocks.

4. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein the blocks have smooth side faces.

5. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the blocks have scalloped side faces.

6. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein the blocks are right-cylindrical or right-annular in vertical section.

7. The combination according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the first block has an upwardly tapering outer side face so that when it is solid and unperforated it is trapezoidal in vertical section while when it is annular i.e. centrally perforated, its inner face has an opposing taper so that in vertical section the block shape reduces to two spaced apart trapeziums, while the second block has an equal and opposite taper, that is to say, its outer side surface tapers downwardly and in its annular variant its inner side face tapers upwardly.

8. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein one end face of the first and/or the second block is provided with narrow radial grooves each extending from the centre or central hole to a point short of the outer edge of the face.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein a tie rod is to be used and the grooves is extended to the outer edge by cutting away the small section of the material of the first block, the second block having only two grooves lying on the same diametral plane extending through the centres of the concave arcs.

10. The combination according to claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 or Figures 7 to 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A structure built from a combination of building blocks according to any preceding claim.