GB2398304A - Building blocks and system of constructing a wall - Google Patents

Abstract

Decorative building blocks each four comprise injection moulded mitred sections <B>figure 1</B> and two face plates. The four sections <B>7</B> are secured together via male (4, figure 2) and female (5, figure 2) snap lock connectors to form a frame which borders the face plates. Once constructed the blocks can then be connected to one another by male interlocking legs <B>1</B> and female extended slots <B>2</B>, these allow for the blocks to be built in a staggered configuration (figure 9) or one on top of another (figure 8). Strengthening rods may be placed in channel <B>7</B>, which are necessary for areas of blocks larger than 3m<2>.

Description

Page 1

Description of invention

Decorative Building Blocks This is a simple inexpensive system for manufacturing decorative building blocks..

Background of the Prior Art

Over the years, a wide variety of plastic building blocks United States patent application Serial No. 07/389,338, filed August 3, 1989 Modular components consisting of two moulded plastic halfblocks are disclosed EP 0 438110 Al also EP 0 452 879.

A set of plastic blocks has been disclosed by the inventor in the Italian patent application No C098A000012 not yet published.

Objects of present invention The invention consists of one injection moulded mitred snap lock section of which four are required to surround the block, and also two faceplates are required.

By snapping three sides together it enables the manufacturer the flexibility of using a variety of materials to face there own blocks by sliding in a variety of faceplates. Recycled glass, wood, plastic, foiled MDF.etc.The invention thus eliminates the need for mortar, spacers, grout. special tools and masonry skills previously required for building decorative blocks.

And also enabling each faceplate side of the block to be customised to the clients own requirements i.e. perhaps mirror on one side and glass on the other.

The finished block then connects with another and so on to enable the end user to build an internal wall.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described on page 2 by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Page 2

Description of invention

Decorative Building Blocks Fig. 1 shows the top view of the plastic section and the male I interconnecting legs and female 2 extended slots lock connectors also channel for electric wiring 3.

Fig. 2 shows a side view with male 4 and female 5 snap lock connectors Fig. 3 Shows an end view of the section 8 faceplate slide 9 grouting stop 7 channel for reinforcing rod.

Fig 4. Shows three sides being snap locked together.

Fig 5. Shows faceplates being inserted.

Fig.6. Shows snap locking the final section together.

Fig 7. Shows blocks interconnected.

Fig 8. Shows assembly using reinforcing rods.

Fig.9. Shows staggered assembly using finishing grout.

Referring to the drawings decorative wall block requires four injection moulded mitred snap lock sections to surround the block and two face plates.

The means of securing the sections around the block are: Fig 4 Snap three injection moulded mitred snap lock sections together 4. 5., insert faceplate Fig 5 finally snap on the fourth section Fig 6.

Also the section has four integrally formed legs Fig.1. 1 and four extended slots 2 equidistant from each corner of the section for interconnecting an adjacent block.

In order to link the blocks together the male and female interlocking legs push together.Fig.7.

Strengthening rods if required are place in centre channel Fig.1 7. Fig 8.

When the blocks are placed together one on top of the other Fig 8 or staggered Fig.9 using the invention they form a ready-made grouting line Fig 3 9 Thus pre-determining the amount of finishing grout used.

It also has a faceplate slide Fig.3 8 to enclose the faceplate if required.

For large areas more than 3 meters square and/or at least one extruded square metal strengthening rod and/or a terminating fastener T piece is required, either top and bottom or side to side if staggering the blocks.. Paged

Claims (7)

1. Claims Decorative Building Blocks 1 Decorative building block comprising

   of a single plastic injection moulded section of which four are required and two face plates to create a a building block Having male and female snap lock connectors to snap the four sections together to form the surround having each single section with four extended slots and four extended legs equidistant from each other for interlocking to another block having a formed faceplate slides to enable various faceplates to be used having a ready formed grouting channel when blocks are linked together along each side of the plastic section thus limiting the amount of grout used and eliminating the need for spacers having a centre channel for reinforcing rods having two side channels for electric wiring The invention thus eliminates the need for mortar, spacers, grout. special tools and masonry skills previously required for building decorative blocks.
2. 2 Decorative block surround as claimed in Claim 1 comprising of a single plastic section of which four are required to surround a block.
3. 3 Decorative block surround as clamed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 having male and female snap lock fittings to snap the four sections together.
4. 4 Decorative block surround as clamed in Claim I or Claim 3 having each single section with four extended slots and four extended legs equidistant from each other on the outside edge for interlocking to another block.
5. Decorative block surround as clamed in Claim I or Claim 4 having a predetermined grouting channel along each side of plastic section.
6. 6. Each individual block as clamed in Claim I or Claim 5 is coupled together without the aid of spacers and bonding mortar.
7. 7. The centre of the profile as clamed in any preceding claim allows for strengthening rods for building large areas of wall.

   8 Decorative block surround substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1- 9 of the accompanying drawings.