US1350656A - Building-block - Google Patents

Description

M. L. KING.

' BUILDING BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I3, 1919.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

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y illustrated in the accompanying UNITED STATES MATTHEW LEANDER KING, 0F DES MOINES, IOWA.v

BUILDING-BLOCK.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application led January 13, 1919. Serial No. 270,847.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MATTHEW LEANDER KING, avcitizen of the United States, and resident of Des Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Building-Block, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to blocks used for masonry structures.

The object of my invention is to provide a block so constructed and arranged that a plurality of said blocks can be laid 1n a course without having a mortar joint extending entirely across the blocks.

A further object is to provide such a block so constructed that a plurality of the blocks may be superposed one above the other, and the mortar inserted between the blocks the necessary distance, whereb a great saving of time and labor in building the structure is accomplished.

Still a further object is to provide such a block so constructed that the blocks seat themselves and retain their alinement in proper position with relation to each o ther when superposed one above the other 1n a course.

Still a further object is to provide such a block employing a minimum amount of material and affording air spaces between the sides of the block.

Still a further object is to provide a block so constructed and arranged that when a plurality of the blocks are built into a structure, the blocks will be self-draining so that 'moisture will not travel across the blocks between them.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims. and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one block embodying my invention, superposed upon another.

Fig. 2 shows a tion of a block.

Fig. 3 shows a transverse, vertical, sectional view of a portion of a wall built of blocks embodying my invention.

Fig. 4 shows a similar view of a portion of a' wall made from blocks embodying a sli htly modified form of my invention, and

ig. 5 shows a side elevation of two courses perspective viewof a porwardly of masonry in Fig. 4.

My improved block is preferably hollow, and comprises the vertical spaced side walls which I have indicated in the accompanying drawings by the reference numerals 10 and l1. My blocks may, if desired, be made with central horizontal partitions 12.

The lower wall of the form of my block shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a central portionA 13 which is concave and is curved from its central longitudinal line downwardy and outwardly in both directions, the p ortion 13 terminating at points between the side walls 10 and 11, as shown in Fig. l.

Extending outwardly and slightly upfrom the ends of the portion 13 are the block portions 14, the lower surfaces of which from their inner ends are inclined upwardly and outwardly then downwardly and may be smooth for a short distance, as at 15. The lower surfaces of the portions 14 from the portion 15 to the outer edge of the block are preferably provided with 1ongitudinal corrugations 16.

The upper wall of each block is concave and is curved from its longitudinal central line upwardly and outwardly in both directions forming a portion 18. At each end of the portion 18 is a laterally extending block portion 19, having on its upper surface an upwardly and outwardly inclined portion 20 extending outwardly from the portion 18, and a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion 21 which may have transverse corrugations 22. A central longitudinal vertical partition 23 may be employed.

In building a masonry structure of blocks such as thoseshown in Figs. 1 to 3, the upper block is superposed on the lower block in the course, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with the smooth surface l15 resting upon the smooth surface 20. It will be seen that the inclination of said surfaces is such as to cause the upper block tov tend to move to lplosiilzion exactly superposed over the lower made of'blocks like those shown Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

When a wall, oraI portion of a wall, h as There are a number of advantages inherent in the use of a block of the type herein shown. It will be noted that an air space is provided between the outer portion l() of a wall made of such blocks, and the inner portion 11 thereof.

The mortar joint between the blocks is not continuous across the blocks. Hence a great deal less labor and mortar are required in making the mortar joint. It will also be noted that by doing away with the continuous mortar joint insulation is provided against the passage of heat or moisture.

On account of the tendency of the blocks to seat they may be laid with a minimum of labor and considerably less skill is required for building the wall.

It will be noted that on account of the shape of the block members 18 and 13 less material is used than if horizontal top and bottom walls were used in connection with a longitudinal, central, vertical partition.

In this connection 1t will be noted also that the moisture which might travel down the outer side of the wall, for instance, and

into the joint between the blocks, will be prevented from traveling inwardly by the longitudinal corrugations 16, or by the outward and downward inclination of the surface. between the portion 15 and the outer surface of the block as shown at A in Fig. 3, and will also tend to travel downwardly over the portion 21.

The transverse corrugations 22 of the portion 21 -make it possible to secure a better bond between the mortar and the block to prevent longitudinal movement of the blocks with relation to each other. The corrugations 16 not only prevent the moisture from traveling inwardly, but also make it possible to secure a better bond to strengthen the y wall against lateral sliding of the blocks with relation to each other.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown a modified form of my invention, in which the hollow blocks 26 are provided on their top or bottorn surfaces or both with outwardly extending lugs or ribs 27, whereby when the blocks are superposed one above the other they are spaced from each other so that mortar may be introduced at the joints and will move inwardly only a short distance, whereby a great saving of mortar and oflabor is accomplished, as hereinbefore already eX- plained.

It will, of course, be yunderstood that the coating of plaster may or may not be used, as desired.

Most of the advantages of my blocks may be had if the blocks are laid in a floor or other substantially flat structure, or in roofs or other inclined structures, as well as in walls.

Changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my improved blocks without departing from the essential features and purposes of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by this application any modied forms of structure which may be included within the reasonable scope of my claims.

I claim as my invention.

1. A hollow block having vertical side walls and having an upper wall with a concave central portion and with upwardly and outwardly inclined smooth surfaces at each side of said concave portion, said block having a lower wall with a concave central portion and with smooth surfaced portions extending upwardly and outwardly from said concave portion, the upper surface of the block being inclined downwardly and outwardly from the smooth portions thereof.

2. A hollow block made ofy plastic material having vertical side walls and having an upper wall with a concave central portion and with upwardly and outwardly inclined smooth surfaces at each side of said concave portion, said block having a lower wall with a concave central portion and with smooth surfaced portions extending upwardly and outwardly from said concave portion, the lower surface of each block having at its outer portion longitudinal corru- MATTHEW LEANDER KING.

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