GB2361487A

GB2361487A - Stone effect building block

Info

Publication number: GB2361487A
Application number: GB0105481A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Glackin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-06
Filing date: 2001-03-06
Publication date: 2001-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-06
Also published as: GB0105481D0; IES20000175A2; GB2361487B

Abstract

Building block (1) is of a cruciform shape formed by cuboid projections (2, 3, 4, 5). A stone effect facade is provided on the front major face of the block (1). A number of blocks (1) can interlink together and can be used to build a structure having a stone finish.

Description

2361487 STONE EFFECT BUILDING BLOCK This present invention relates to a

building block with a stone effect fagade.

To have a stone effect appearance on a wall or building, it is necessary to have the structure or its outer face built of stone. This requires that a skilled stone mason be employed to construct the structure. This method is expensive in respect of the cost of the stones required and the employment of a skilled stone mason.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a building block which comprises a main body having a major front face, a major rear face and a plurality of minor faces between the major face, wherein cuboid projections extend from the minor faces of the block, the block having a stone effect fagade on the front major face.

Advantageously, the block has a cruciform shape formed by the cuboid projections extending from the minor faces of the main body. Conveniently, the building block has a shape which allows the block to be inter-linked with like blocks so as to form a wall having a stone-effect appearance. Preferably, the block is constructed from concrete.

Advantageously, the blocks are universally shaped allowing for assembly in any order. Conveniently the blocks are of a size similar to that of a conventional concrete block. The size and weight of the blocks of the invention allow for their use in a conventional way and do not require any special devices during their use. Preferably, a stone effect fagade is provided on at least one major face of the block. This stone effect is applied during the manufacturing process and becomes an integral part of the building block.

Conveniently, when the stone effect building block of the invention is used in conjunction with other blocks of the same type, a stone effect surface is provided which has no noticeable joints. Preferably, the stone effect cladding is derived from slices or segments of stone. These slices or segments of stone are conveniently positioned on the surface of the building blocks during the manufacture of the block. The block is preferably made using a mould. Conveniently, concrete is poured into the mould and on top of this concrete is positioned the slices of stone. The concrete when set will give a rigid shape to the block and also holds the stone effect cladding in place.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a building block according to the invention. In the drawings:- Figure I is a perspective view of a building block; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of four building blocks, as shown in Figure 1, assembled together to form a structure.

With reference to Figure 1, the building block comprises a main structure I constructed from concrete. Extending from the main structure 1 are four extensions 2, 3, 4 and 5. Extensions 2 and 4 are of similar dimensions to each other and extensions 3 and 5 also have similar dimensions to each other. As illustrated in Figure 1, one face of the block is covered by an arrangement of stones. The visible part of the stone is made from slices off a larger stone. The slices of stone are positioned in a random arrangement.

The blocks are constructed into a structure as illustrated in Figure 2. The blocks are used in a conventional way and form a structure which has a stone look finish. The typical dimensions of a block are 600mm x 400mm x 100mm thick. There is no continuous joint visible and the structure has the random nature of a wall constructed from natural stone.

To manufacture a block according to the invention, a mix of concrete, mortar, water and water sealer is thoroughly mixed and poured into a metal mould which sits on a separate metal base. The concrete and mortar mix is poured into the mould up to a height of about 65-75mm. The slices of stone axe then added to the mould which is then vibrated on a vibrating table for about 60 seconds. During the vibration, the stones come to the top of the mould. After the vibration has stopped, an operative clears around the stones with a brush and trowel. The block is allowed to set for approximately one hour, after which the mould is lifted off its base plate. The moulded block is then left on the base plate for approximately 12 hours until it is completely dry. The moulded blocks are then stored on pallets and stacked until required.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A building block comprising a main body having a major front face, a major rear face and a plurality of minor faces between the major faces, wherein cuboid projections extend from the minor faces of the block, the block having a stone effect fagade on the front major face.

2. A building block as claimed in claim 1, in which the block is of a cruciform shape formed by the cuboid projections extending from the minor faces of the main body.

3. A building block as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the block has a shape which allows it to be inter-linked with like blocks so as to form a structure having a stoneeffect appearance.

4. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the block is constructed from concrete.

5. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is of a size similar to that of a conventional concrete block, the size and weight of the block allowing for its use in a conventional manner not requiring any special devices during its use.

6. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the stone effect is applied during the manufacturing process and becomes an integral part of the building block.

7. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the stone effect fagade comprises slices or segments of stone.

8. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the block is manufactured using a mould, by pouring concrete into the mould and by positioning the slices or segments of stone on the concrete, the concrete when set giving a rigid shape to the block and also holding the stone slices or segments in place.

9. A building block as substantially as herein described with reference to an as shown in the accompanying drawings,

10. A method of manufacturing a building block substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.