GB2091775A - Building block - Google Patents

Abstract

A rectangular elongate building block has on one face 6 a longitudinally extending groove 6a, and on the opposite face 7 a corresponding tongue, having two parts 7a and 7b separated by a gap 8 approximately equal to the width of the block. A side recess 4a for mortar may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building blocks This invention relates to building blocks for use in the construction of building structures such as walls.

According to the present invention there is pro vided a generally rectangular elongate building block having on one face thereof a longitudinally extending groove and on the opposite face thereof a corresponding tongue having two parts separated by a gap approximately equal to the width of the block.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to tha accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building block according to the invention with the tongue uppermost, figures 2 & 3 are perspective views of the building block of figure 1 with the groove uppermost, figure 4 is a perspective view of a corner structure, constructed from a number of building blocks as shown in figures 1,2 and 3.

Figure 1 shows a building block (1) having longitudinal side walls (2) and (3) and end faces (4) and (5). End face (4) has a recess (4a) for receiving mortar to facilitate the construction of a building structure with the blocks. Face (6) of the block has a longitudi nally extending groove (6a). This is most clearly illustrated in figures 2 and 3. On the opposite face (7), there is provided a corresponding tongue having two parts (7a) and (7b). The tongue is adapted for engagement in the groove of a vertically adjacent block. The two parts (7a) and (7b) of the tongue are separated by a gap (8) of length to accommodate the width of a second block. The block is generally rectangular so that it may be used for building a structure such as a wall without significant gaps and holes being formed in the structure.

The two longitudinal recesses (9a) and (9b) running parallel to the axis of the tongue provide a gap between adjacent blocks to receive mortar when the block is incorporated into a wall. A plurality of blocks forming a corner is illustrated in figure 4. The tongue (10a) of the block (10) is engaged in the groove (1 1a) of a vertically adjacent block (11). The gap between the two parts ofthetongue in block (10) accommodates and locates block (12). Blocks of alternate layers protrude beyond the outline of the corner in each wall.

One method of construction of a wall, using the blocks described above, is as follows: A row of building blocks is laid, preferably tongues down the end recess (4a) being filled with mortar.

Subsequent rows of blocks are then laid with their tongues engaged in the groove of the row below.

After completion of a section of wall, mortar is applied to the side of the wall to cover the side face (2) of the blocks and fill the recesses (9a) and (9b) between adjacent layers of blocks.

In a preferred embodiment, mortar is applied to the groove (6a) as well as the side recess (4a) before the next row is laid. The configuration of the blocks facilitate laying of adjacent layers in a level and even manner, without the need for the usual "string and level" levelling method, since, provided excess of mortar is not used, the face (7) may be bedded down flush with face (6) of a vertically adjacent block. Preferred materials for use in the formation of the building blocks include concrete and fired clay.

1. A generally rectangular elongate building block, having on one face thereof a longitudinally extending groove, and on the opposite face thereof a corresponding tongue, having two parts separated by a gap approximately equal to the width of the block.

2. A block as claimed in claim 1 having a recess for receiving mortar on at least one end face thereof.

3. A block as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 having a longitudinal recess adapted to provide a gap between adjacent blocks to receive mortar when the block is incorporated into a wall.

4. A corner structure comprising a plurality of building blocks as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 arranged with their tongues in the groove of a vertically adjacent block to form a wall with the gap between the said two parts of the tongue of blocks of one wall accommodating and locating blocks of a vertically adjacent layer of the other wall.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Building blocks This invention relates to building blocks for use in the construction of building structures such as walls. According to the present invention there is pro vided a generally rectangular elongate building block having on one face thereof a longitudinally extending groove and on the opposite face thereof a corresponding tongue having two parts separated by a gap approximately equal to the width of the block. One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to tha accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building block according to the invention with the tongue uppermost, figures 2 & 3 are perspective views of the building block of figure 1 with the groove uppermost, figure 4 is a perspective view of a corner structure, constructed from a number of building blocks as shown in figures 1,2 and 3. Figure 1 shows a building block (1) having longitudinal side walls (2) and (3) and end faces (4) and (5). End face (4) has a recess (4a) for receiving mortar to facilitate the construction of a building structure with the blocks. Face (6) of the block has a longitudi nally extending groove (6a). This is most clearly illustrated in figures 2 and 3. On the opposite face (7), there is provided a corresponding tongue having two parts (7a) and (7b). The tongue is adapted for engagement in the groove of a vertically adjacent block. The two parts (7a) and (7b) of the tongue are separated by a gap (8) of length to accommodate the width of a second block. The block is generally rectangular so that it may be used for building a structure such as a wall without significant gaps and holes being formed in the structure. The two longitudinal recesses (9a) and (9b) running parallel to the axis of the tongue provide a gap between adjacent blocks to receive mortar when the block is incorporated into a wall. A plurality of blocks forming a corner is illustrated in figure 4. The tongue (10a) of the block (10) is engaged in the groove (1 1a) of a vertically adjacent block (11). The gap between the two parts ofthetongue in block (10) accommodates and locates block (12). Blocks of alternate layers protrude beyond the outline of the corner in each wall. One method of construction of a wall, using the blocks described above, is as follows: A row of building blocks is laid, preferably tongues down the end recess (4a) being filled with mortar. Subsequent rows of blocks are then laid with their tongues engaged in the groove of the row below. After completion of a section of wall, mortar is applied to the side of the wall to cover the side face (2) of the blocks and fill the recesses (9a) and (9b) between adjacent layers of blocks. In a preferred embodiment, mortar is applied to the groove (6a) as well as the side recess (4a) before the next row is laid. The configuration of the blocks facilitate laying of adjacent layers in a level and even manner, without the need for the usual "string and level" levelling method, since, provided excess of mortar is not used, the face (7) may be bedded down flush with face (6) of a vertically adjacent block. Preferred materials for use in the formation of the building blocks include concrete and fired clay. CLAIMS

1. A generally rectangular elongate building block, having on one face thereof a longitudinally extending groove, and on the opposite face thereof a corresponding tongue, having two parts separated by a gap approximately equal to the width of the block.

2. A block as claimed in claim 1 having a recess for receiving mortar on at least one end face thereof.

3. A block as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 having a longitudinal recess adapted to provide a gap between adjacent blocks to receive mortar when the block is incorporated into a wall.

4. A corner structure comprising a plurality of building blocks as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 arranged with their tongues in the groove of a vertically adjacent block to form a wall with the gap between the said two parts of the tongue of blocks of one wall accommodating and locating blocks of a vertically adjacent layer of the other wall.