GB2184143A

GB2184143A - Surface cladding blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2184143A
Application number: GB08629046A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevan Beaumont Ham Brassington
Original assignee: Ibstock Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Ibstock Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 1985-12-11
Filing date: 1986-12-04
Publication date: 1987-06-17
Also published as: GB2184143B; GB8629046D0; GB8530542D0

Abstract

The invention relates to tiles or blocks used for cladding surfaces or paving. An example of a paving block 10, 12 is illustrated in use with conventional paving blocks 2 in an area defined by a boundary line 4. The first portion 10 of the block according to the invention is the same shape as a conventional block 2 and is integral with a second portion 12 which may be a partial block. Conveniently the two block portions form an L-shaped block, with there being provided between the two portions a groove 18 which simulates a joint between separate but adjacent blocks. In the example the first block portion is a rectangle in which the longer sides are twice as long as the shorter sides, and the second portion is a square having sides equal to said shorter sides (Figs. 3, 5 and 6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Surface cladding blocks The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to surface cladding blocks.

Cladding blocks are used for a variety of purposes in the building industry from paving blocks covering a ground surface in a practical or decorative manner to tiles for wall or floor cladding. Wherever the blocks are laid or applied, it is often necessary to confine the clad area by, for example in the case of paving blocks, a kerb. Alternatively, wall tiles require to be fitted into room corners, or against unlevel ceilings.

It is customary where the kerb line or the room contours are not regularly parallel with the axis along which the blocks are laid, to cut small pieces of block to fit in the gaps left between the adjacent complete block and the boundary of the area being clad. While this is an often tedious and time consuming operation, it often happens that the space is so small it is not possible to cut a block portion accurately and small enough to fit. The gap is then merely filled with mortar or grout, which may be unsightly.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cladding block the use of which minimises the above disadvantages.

The invention provides in one of its several aspects a cladding block for use in applying a protective or decorative layer to a substrate in an area defined by a boundary line, neighbouring blocks of said layer having in use a visible abutment line therebetween, said block comprising a first portion of a selected surface area and shape, and a second portion replicating at least a portion of the surface area and shape of the first portion, the two block portions being integrally formed and there being provided oetween the two block portions a groove simulating in appearance an abutment line.

Thus, in use, while conventional blocks may be used over the main portion of the area to be clad, when marginal portions of the area are reached, it is convenient if the last complete block that it is possible to place near the boundary is replaced by a block according to the invention which may more readily be cut to shape by removing a part of the second portion means than would be the case if another conventional block were used.

The invention is particuiarly but by no means exclusively useful in the laying of paving blocks within a boundary line defined by kerb-stones. It is rare to find that the kerb line is parallel to the axis along which the paving blocks are to be laid. Problems with fitting small paver portions in the gaps between the last complete block and the kerb are especially difficult where the blocks are rectangular and to be laid in a so-called herringbone pattern.

The invention therefore further provides according to another of its several aspects a paving block for use in an area defined by a boundary line comprising kerbstones, comprising a first portion having a rectangular surface to be visiole in use and a second portion having a rectangular surface replicating at least a portion of the surface area of the first portion, the two block portions being integrally formed and there being provided between the two block portions a groove simulating a joint between separate but adjacent blocks, the second portion being arranged to project laterally of the first portion so as to form an L-shaped block.

Advantageously, the second rectangular portion is a square portion, conveniently having a surface area of half of the area of the first portion and having sides of a length corresponding to the shorter of the sides of the first portion. Conveniently, the edges of the block may be chamfered and, if desired, nibs or spacers may be formed on side surfaces of the blocks to facilitate the laying of the blocks with equal spacing between adjacent blocks.

Examples of the inventions may include blocks or tiles having both first and second portions of the same or differing area dimensions, arranged parallel to or end-to-end to each other, or in an L-shape.

An example of a paving block according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3-6 of the drawings. In the drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are typical prior art solutions to the problem solved by the present invention; Figure 3 is a cladding block in the form of a paver; Figure 4 shows the manner in which the block of Figure 3 is laid; and Figures 5 and 6 show top and underneath plan views of the block of Figure 3.

Figures 1 and 2 show plan views of portions of laid pavers 2 in the vicinity of kerbstones 4, the pavers being laid in a herringbone pattern along an axis parallel to the arrow A.

Each paver 2 in Figure 1 is rectangular, with its longer side being twice the length of the shorter side. It is an easy matter to remove small portions from blocks 2' in order to make the larger remaining portion fit in place, but to cut small portions for use presents difficulties. Small paver portions 2" are probably feasible to use, but to fill gaps of a small size requires an unsightly infill of concrete or other cementitious material 6.

An alternative solution which has been put forward is to use square pavers 8 having sides equal in length to the shorter side of the paver 2. Pavers 2' are readily used but are arranged so that their cut surfaces face the kerbstones. This causes irregularities in the patterning since the spaces so formed can only be filled by the small square pavers 8 as in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows a paving block according to the invention. The block comprises a first rectangular portion 10 and a second square portion 12. The length of the sides of the portion 12 is the same as that of the shorter of the sides of the first portion and is half of the length of the longer of the sides. All outside edges of the block are chamfered at 14 and side surfaces 16 may be provided with nibs (not shown) to assist in accurate spacing of adjacent blocks.

The portions 10 and 12 are defined by the provision of a groove 18 on each upper and lower surface, 20,22 respectively. Each groove simulates in appearance a gap or joint formed between two separate pavers, so that when the paver is laid it is difficult to discern whether a joint is a space between two pavers or a groove 18.

Figure 4 shows how a paving block according to the invention may be used in conjunction with conventional paving blocks 2 and kerbstones 4 to produce a neat and durable edge to the paved area. Parts of the paving blocks 10 or 12 shown in broken line have been cut away as shown.

In order to achieve the versatility of use available with a paving block according to the invention, it will be found necessary to be able to use left- and right-handed blocks.

Where only one surface of a block is intended for viewing such as with glazed or patterned floor tiles, blocks of both hands will be required as shown in Figures 5 and 6. However, where both surfaces 20 and 22 are suitable to be exposed to view then the blocks may be used either way up.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cladding block for use in applying a protective or decorative layer to a substrate in an area defined by a boundary line, neighbouring blocks of said layer having in use a visible abutment line therebetween, said block comprising a first portion of a selected surface area and shape, and a second portion replicating at least a portion of the surface area and shape of the first portion, the two block portions being integrally formed and there being provided between the two block portions a groove simulating in appearance an abutment line.

2. A cladding block as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block is a paving block formed by an extrusion and/or moulding process.

3. A paving block for use in an area defined by a boundary line comprising kerbstones, comprising a first portion having a rectangular surface to be visible in use and a second portion having a rectangular surface replicating at least a portion of the surface area of the first portion, the two block portions being integrally formed and there being provided between the two block portions a groove simulating a joint between separate but adjacent blocks, the second portion being arranged to project laterally of the first portion so as to form an L-shaped block.

4. A block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second portion replicates a half portion of the surface area of the first portion.

5. A block as claimed in claim 4, wherein the half-portion is square.

6. A block as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion has a rectangular surface having two longer sides each of which is twice as long as the two shorter sides thereof, the second portion being square in area, and having each side equal in length to the shorter sides of the first portion.

7. A block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edges of the first and second portions of the block are chamfered.

8. A block as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein side surfaces of the block are provided with nibs or spacers.

9. A paving block for use in an area defined by a boundary line, constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 3 to 6 of the drawings.