GB2154623A

GB2154623A - Building blocks which when assembled form interconnected vertical and horizontal passages

Info

Publication number: GB2154623A
Application number: GB08503078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Asim Abdul Younis
Original assignee: ALPHACRETE INTERNATIONAL LIMIT
Current assignee: ALPHACRETE INTERNATIONAL LIMIT
Priority date: 1984-02-18
Filing date: 1985-02-07
Publication date: 1985-09-11
Also published as: GB8404292D0; GB8503078D0

Abstract

The block has channels 11 in each end wall, a channel 16 in its upper or lower face, and aperture(s) 15 through the block from top to bottom. When assembled, the interconnected passages may be filled with settable material or may be used for wiring or plumbing. Moulding of the blocks is described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building blocks and methods and means for their production This invention concerns building blocks and methods and means for their production.

Many different kinds of building block are known and these broadly fall into two categories, those such as the common brick which are nothing more than simple rectangular solids and those having parts which interlock with complementary parts on ones positioned adjacent thereto.

According to the present invention there is provided a building block having side walls, end walls and upper and lower faces, there being an inwardly directed channel intermediate said side walls and extending along the length of either said upper face or said lower face, inwardly directed channels intermediate said side walls and extending over the height of each of said end walls and at least one aperture through the block extending between said upper and lower faces at a position spaced from said end walls, the arrangement being such that when the blocks are assembled to form a wall or similar structure with blocks in one layer laterally offset from those in adjacent layers said channels and apertures cooperate to form interconnected vertically and horizontally extending passages for the location of electrical wiring, plumbing, or for filling with a free flowing settable material to bind the blocks together to form a coherent structure.

The blocks may be straight and of varying lengths or may include a right angled corner, the limbs on each side of the corner being of equal length or unequal lengths.

The invention provides a series of simple moulds and accessory parts enabling production of the building blocks on the site where they are to be used.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, various kinds of block embodying the invention, moulds for making same, and structures formed with the blocks.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one kind of corner block having limbs of equal length; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the block of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of another kind of corner block having limbs of the same but shorter length; Figures 4 and 5 show plan views of still further kinds of corner block where the two limbs thereof are of differing length; Figure 6 shows a plan view of a straight block; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a further straight block of greater length adapted for use as a lintel; Figure 8 shows a plan view of moulding apparatus for the production of any of the corner blocks of Figures 1 to 5 inclusive; Figure 9 shows a plan view of a mould unit for production of straight blocks of the kind shown in Figure 6; Figure 10 shows a cross-section through the mould unit on the line X-X of Figure 9;; Figure 11 shows a plan view of a mould unit suitable for production of the blocks of the kind shown in Figure 7; Figure 12 shows a side elevation of a core unit for use with the moulds of Figures 8 to 11; Figure 13 shows an end view of the core unit of Figure 12; Figure 14 shows a cross-section through the core unit on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 12; Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a small portion of a wall constructed from the blocks of the earlier Figures; and Figure 16 shows a more extended portion of wall constructed from said blocks.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, it will be seen that each of the building blocks, whose shapes vary in plan, has a flat upper surface 10, a height h, typically 40 cms, a vertically extending channel 11 of generally half-circle section extending over the height h of each of the end walls 12 and 13 of the block and spaced mid-way between the opposed side walls 14 and 15. Additionally, each of the blocks has a channel 16 similar to the channel 11 running along its underside 17 again mid-way between the side walls 14 and 15.

The block 20 of Figures 1 and 2 comprise a corner unit having limbs 21 and 22 at right angles to one another and each having an internal length L of 40 cms.

The block 30 of Figure 3 is again a corner block similar to the block 20 of Figure 2 save that the limbs 31 and 32 of this block each have an internal length / of 20 cms.

The blocks 40 and 50 of Figures 4 and 5 respectively are again corner blocks, having limbs 41 and 51 of shorter length than the limbs 42 and 52. The internal length of the shorter limbs / is 20 cms whilst the internal length of the longer limbs L is 40 cms. The blocks 40 and 50 are of opposite hand.

Figure 6 shows a straight block 60 which may be provided in various lengths, 60, 80 and 100 cms.

The straight block 70 of Figure 7 may have a length of 100, 120 or 140 cms and is distinguished from the blocks 60 by the inclusion of reinforcing members 71.

All of the blocks (except the block 30) have vertically extending voids 75 of generally circular crosssection passing therethrough inwardly of their ends 12 and 13 and set at a distance such that the centre of the void is 20 cms from the adjacent end face of the block. This does not apply, however, in the case of ends 12 and 13 bounding limbs of corner blocks of the shorter length of 20 cms.

Referring now to Figure 8 a mould unit for producing a corner block is shown. The mould unit comprises a base 80, walls 81, 82 and 83 each of right angled shape and end walls 84 and 85.

The blocks of Figure 2 can be formed by pouring a settable mixture between the walls 81 and 82.

The blocks of Figure 3 can be formed by pouring the mix between the walls 82 and 83 whilst the blocks of Figures 4 and 5 may be formed by pouring the mix between the walls 81 and 82 having first fitted a filling unit such as that shown at 86 into one limb or the other as appropriate.

Beading 87 is secured to the base 80 to form the channels 16 in the underside of the blocks and beading 88 is secured vertically to the side walls 84 and 85 either to form the channels 11 or locate the units 86 as appropriate. The units 86 include inwardly directed beading 89 to form the channels 11 when they are used.

The blocks of Figures 6 and 7 can be formed in moulds of the kind shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11.

Each of these moulds includes a base plate 90, side walls 91 and end walls 92. Beading 93 similar to the beading 87 and 88 is provided to form the channels 16 and 11. As before the length of the moulds may be reduced to a desired extent by the insertion of one or more filling units 86.

Where voids 75 are to be provided, a special core unit, as shown in Figures 12 to 14, is used in conjunction with the moulds. The tool comprises a handle 100 having depending limbs 101 and 102 at its opposed ends. The limb 102 has a cross-section corresponding with the cross-section of the void 75 to be formed whilst the limb 101 consists of a part generally cylindrical shell adapted to locate against either beading 88 or 89 to locate the limb 102 the requisite distance from he end of the moulding.

The lower ends of the limbs 101 and 102 are shaped as at 103 to fit over the beading 87 or 93.

The blocks may be cast from any suitable settable material though an aerated cementitious matrix is greatly preferred on account of its light weight and thermally insulating properties.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, it will be seen how the blocks can be fitted together to form walls to make a housing unit. The blocks may be bound together by provision of a mortar bed between horizontally extending layers thereof.

It will be noted that by proper arrangement of the blocks there will be a multiplicity of vertical passages formed by the channels 11 and the voids 75 which mate with one another at the ends of the blocks and from layer to layer. These passages, as well as the horizontal ones formed by the channels 16 can be used for plumbing and electric wiring.

It will be understood that where the blocks can be laid without bedding mortar and the assembly thereof can be united into a coherent structure by pumping settable material such as aerated cementitious material in to the vertical and horizontal passages.

The channels 16 and 11 around window and door openings provide a convenient fixing for the necessary frames.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without de parting from the scope thereof as defined in the

Claims

appended claims. Thus, for example, the blocks may be of different dimensions from those given herein. The stated di mensions are, however, preferred as they provide blocks of convenient and easily managed size capable of use in a wide range of constructional applications. Yet again, for example, the blocks may be laid with the channels 16 arranged uppermost, though the described arrangement is preferred. CLAIMS

1. A building block having side walls, end walls and upper and lower faces, there being an inwardly directed channel intermediate said side walls and extending along the length of either said upper face or said lower face, inwardly directed channels intermediate said side walls and extending over the height of each of said end walls and at least one aperture through the block extending between said upper and lower faces at a position spaced from said end walls, the arrangement being such that when the blocks are assembled to form a wall or similar structure with blocks in one layer laterally offset from those in adjacent layers said channels and apertures cooperate to form interconnected vertically and horizontally extending passages for the location of electrical wiring, plumbing, or for filling with a free flowing settable material to bind the blocks together to form a coherent structure.

2. A building block according to claim 1 which is rectangular when seen in plan.

3. A building block according to claim 2 having two of said apertures spaced respectively from the two opposite end walls and from one another.

4. A building block according to claim 3 incorporating longitudinally extending reinforcement members.

5. A building block according to claim 1 which is of right-angled shape when seen in plan.

6. A building block according to claim 5 wherein the two limbs thereof are of equal length.

7. A building block according to claim 6 having two of said apertures, one in each said limb and spaced from the end wall of that limb.

8. A building block according to claim 5 wherein the two limbs thereof are of unequal lengths.

9. A building block according to claim 8 having a single of said apertures in the longer of the two limbs and spaced from the end wall of that limb.

10. A building block according to either claim 8 or claim 9 wherein it is of opposite hand.

11. A building block according to any preceding claim cast from an aerated cementitious material.

12. A mould for the production of a building block according to any preceding claim comprising an open tooped box having a shape corresponding with the plan view of the block to be produced and removable insert whereby the length of the box can be varied at one or the other or both of its ends.

13. A building block substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Fig ures 1 and 2 or any one of Figures 4 to 7 inclusive of the accompanying drawings.

14. A mould for the production of building blocks substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 8 or Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.