US1381119A - Reinforced blocks and interlocking means therefor - Google Patents

Description

C. G. HASTINGS. 1251115011050 BLOCKS AN-D'INTERLOCKl-NG MEANS THEREFOR.

4 ,6, o o d APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24-; I918 Patented June 14, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

o o d a o C. G. HASTINGS. REINFORCED BLOCKS AND IN'TERLOCKING MEANS 'TIHEREFOR.

APPL ICATIOH FILED JUNE 24,1918

Patented June M, 1921.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. 6 V( iN all W. 111.. I. ll WWVIN"' I a c. e. HASTINGS. REINFORCED BLOCKS AND INTERLOCKING MEANS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24. 1918 1921; 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented June 14,

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UNITED STATES ra t rrieef CORNELIUS G. HASTINGS, OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA.

Application filed June 24,

T 0 all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ConNnLIUs G. HAS- TINGS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Glendale, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reinforced Blocks and Interlocking Means Therefor; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has reference more particularly to a block for building tunnels or similar structures and which is adapted to interlock with similar blocks when assembled to provide a solid substantial construction.

In the construction of tunnels or similar structures, such as silos, tanks, etc., it is de-. sirable to build same of blocks which have been previously prepared and are capable of being assembled so as to be. securely and readily combined or interlocked in such a manner that the wall is in effect a unitary structure having the separate blocks intercugaged in such a manner as to be locked against displacement and efi'ectively resist the strain to which the wall is subjected.

It is an object, therefore, of my invention to provide blocks which are adapted to be built up in a structure and having portions overlapping and seated in the adjoining block so as to facilitate assembling and so that when assembled the blocks are thereby held against displacement.

Another object of my invention is to provide blocks adapted to be assembled in a structure and having overlapping tongues at the ends and also overlapping ribs at the sides whereby the blocks are held in position against displacement.

Another object of my invention is to provide blocks adapted to be assembled in a structure and having portions of the adj oining blocks overlapped at theends and sides thereof, and having locking means connect ing the overlapped portions of the blocks.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure comprising similar blocks wherein portions of three adjoining blocks are overlapped and connected by means of a locking member.

- Another object of my invention is to pro.

Specification of Letters Patent. ?atented J 11110 14:, 1921.

1918. Serial No. 241,515.

vide a block adapted to be assembled in a structure with portions overlapping and locked to portions of the adjoining block, and having reinforcing means embedded in the block adapted to strengthen the interlocked portions of the block.

Another object of my invention is to provide a connecting means for overlapped portions of adjoining blocks which is adapted to be expanded and thereby locked in position to hold the adjoining blocks together;

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure comprising blocks having flanges engaged in recesses provided thereforin the adjoining blocks, and a reinforcing band in the recesses for holding the blocks in assembled relation.

My invention also has other objects which will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown-and described my invention in a preferred form. 7

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view-of the outer side of a wall constructed in accordance with my invention. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a block embodying my invention. 7

Fig. 4 is a view of the opposite side of the block shown in Fig.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6is an end view of the block looking at the right hand end of Fig.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the, line 7-7 of Fig. 3. j

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 3. I j

Fig. 9 is a view of the inner face of the block.

Fig. 10 is a detail view partly in section showing the means for securing the locking members v in the blocks.

Fig. 11 is a view in elevation showing a tank or silo embodying my invention. Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 12-12 of-Fig. 11.

Fig. 13'is a top view of one of the blocks used in the construction of the tank or silo, and shows the reinforcing band applied thereto.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 1414 of Fig. 12 showing the vertical connectors for the blocks. r

Fig. 15 is view of the spreader for securing the vertical connectors in the blocks.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, the reference numeral 1 indicates the blocks, each of which is similarly formed and constructed, and which are combined to form the wall. These blocks are particularly adapted for the construction of tunnel walls and similar structures having a curved or' the block'is recessed as at 5, so as to aiford a socket to match and receive the flange 4 of the adjoining block. The blocks are all of like construction so that they are interchangeable and when assembled each block has an end portion 3 overlapping an end portion 2 of the adjoining block, and each row of blocks has a continuous flange or offset portion 4, which overlaps and engages in the recess 5, in the adjoining row of blocks. The blocks of the adjoining rows are arranged in staggered relation so that the end joints of the blocks of one row are located intermediate of the end joints of the blocks in the adjoining rows, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, andthe flange or rib 4, is made of a lesser thickness than the projecting portions 2 and 3-, so that when assembled in successive rows and in staggered relation the overlapping end portions of the blocks will be overlapped or have the flange or rib 4 of the adjoining row of blocks projecting thereover so that a pinor locking member may be inserted in the overlapping end portions of'two ad oining blocks and also in an overa lapping portion of a block of the adjoining row, so as to afford a substantial joint to securely hold theblocks together.

For looking the blocks together in the as sembled position-,each block is provided with a plurality of tubular openings 6, equally spaced apart and along the" side ofthe block which is recessed asat 5', and extending from the recess 5 to the inner faceof the block,"

as shown in Fig. 5, and there are also similar tubular openings 7 and 8, in the projecting end portions 2 and 8 respectively,

which, however, are of shorter length than the openings 6, thesesaid openings 7 and 8 being equallyspaced from the openings 6 and suitably spaced from the ends of the block so that when the blocks are arranged with the ends overlapping the openings 7 and 8 register and provide a continuous opening of the same length as the openings 6 and spaced from the adjoining openings 6 a distance similar 1 to the spacing of the openings 6 from each other. Thus it will be observed that when the row of blocks are arranged end to end in overlapping relation there area plurality of equally spaced perforations extending from the inner face of the block to the base of the recess 5, the outer ends of which are adapted to be covered by the overlapping flange or rib 4, of an adjoining row of blocks.

Each block is reinforced by means ofthe bars or strips 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, which extend lengthwise of. the block and are embedded therein as shown. The strip 10, as shown in Fig-. 8, extends between and is looped around the openings 6 and 7 as shown at 15, to reinforce the outer wall of each opening, and the strip 11, which is located adjacent the inner face of the block and parallel therewith is placed in line with the openings'6 and 7. and perforated at each opening to effect a secure engagement of the locking member in the opening as herein after described. 7 i

The strip 14 is arrangedin the flange or rib 4 adjacent the outer face of the block and parallel-therewith so asto be located directly over the openings 6. and 7, of the adjoining row of blocks in the assembled relation, and there are a plurality of open.- ings 16, which are equallyspaced apart and extend outwardly in the rib 4, fromthe inner face thereof to the strip 14, which openings, when the blocksare assembled asshown in Fig. 1, are adapted to register with the openings .6, and the alined openings 7. and 8 of theadjoining row of blocks so that looking members which are inserted through the openings 6 and through the alined openings 7 and 8 extend into the openings 16, for

holding the adjoining row of blocks in the proper position. The flange or rib 4, isalso provided witha band 13, which is arranged similarly to the band ,10, andspaced from the outer edge of the rib and looped around the-- perforations 16 as at. 17, so as to reinforce the walls of the openings 16..

For locking the blocks together in assembled relation, I use the tubes 18-, which are inserted through the openings 6 and'into the openings 16 of the overlapping flange or rib' and butt against the inner face. of the plate 14. On the inner face' of thelplate 14, in each opening 16, is a tapered spreader plug 19, which may be polygonal incross section and is riveted as shown at 20 in Fig. 10, or otherwise secured to the band 14.

The tube 18 is inserted from the inside of V are, caused to expand as at 21, and the end of the tube is thereby locked securely. in the 'fiange 4. After the tube 18 has been driven into position, a plug 22, similar to the plug 19, is inserted in the open end of the tube 18 and forced therein as shown in Fig. 2 so as toexpand the. end of the tube as at 23, and provide a secure connection of the blocks with the tube. The strap or bar 11 embraces the tube 18, at the point of expansion and is engaged by the tube when expanded and thereby assures a rigid connection.

From the foregoing it will be noted that I have not only provided a block construction in which portions of the block overlap and tend to hold or look the block in assembled relation, but I have also provided locking means which positively connect the overlapped portions of the blocks so as to securely combine same and prevent displacement or separation of the blocks.

The blocks illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 are shown as formed for making a tunnel wall, and the numeral 24 indicates a groove with which the inner wall of the blocks may be constructed so as to engage a tunnel frame, and the reference numeral 25 indicates a pocket whereby the blocks may be engaged and supported in the operation of placlng the blocks in position.

Referring to Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive, I have shown a modification of my block wherebv same is adapted for silo or tank construction. The blocks are formed and provided with the locking openings and connected with tubes 18 in the same manner as the blocks previously described, and in addition are provided with an inner and an outer row of openings 27 and 26 respectively, which extend from side to side of the blocks and are suitably spaced so that when the blocks of the adjoining rows are arranged in staggered relation as shown in Fig. 11, the openings of each row of blocks will register with openings of the adjoining row of blocks so as to admit a locking member for vertically connecting the adjoining rows of blocks.

This locking member comprises the tube 28, which is of approximately the same length as the thickness of the block and is adapted to be placed as shown in Fig. 14, so that the ends of the locking member 28 are intermediate of the side walls of the block, the said locking members being driven into position and engaged by an expansion member 29, which is flanged intermediate of the ends as at 30 and tapered at each end so as to expand the ends of the tube and cause same to securely bind against the opening of the block and lock the successive rows of blocks together.

As a further means of reinforcing the assembled-structure by the flange or rib 4 a of the adjoining row of blocks. -.While I .have shown anddescribed 'my invention in a preferred form, I am aware that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the principles of my invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sectional structure the combination of a pair of adjoining blocks having overlapped end portions, another block arranged in staggered relation at the side of said pair of blocks and having a portion thereof overlapping the overlapped portions of the pair of blocks, and a locking member connecting the overlapped portions of the pair of blocks and said other block.

2. In a sectional structure the combination of a pair of elongated blocks having overlapped end portions, a similar block arranged in staggered relation at the side of the pair of blocks and having a laterally extending flange seated in a recess in the pair of blocks and overlapping the overlapped portions of the said pair of blocks, and a locking member extending through registering perforations in the: overlapped portions of the pair of blocks and the flange of the other block, and means for fastening the locking member in the overlapped portions of the block 3. In a sectional structure, the combination of adjoining blocks having overlapping portions, an apertured reinforcing strip in one of said overlapping portions, a locking member passing through said aperture and connecting the said overlapping portions and means for producing frictional engagement between the walls of said aperture and said member.

4.. The combination with a pair of adjoining blocks having overlapping portions, reinforcing strips therein, matching perforations in said overlapping portions and extending through the reinforcing strips, and a locking member in the perforations having the ends thereof expanded to engage the walls of the perforations and the holes in the strips in said overlapping portions.

5. The combination of a circular series of blocks arranged end to end and having offset overlapping ends which interfit, to gether with olfset overlapping ribs along their sides, a groove in the periphery of said circular series of blocks, embedded in each block and another band a reinforcing band in said groove, an adjoining series of blocks scribed by name in the presence of two having an annllfiar flange sefcelcl i311 the subscribing Witnesses.

groove of the 0 er series, an a ine ver- I r tieal holes extending through all of said CORNELIUS 5 blocks adapted forrthe insertion of reinforc- Witnesses:

ing members. CHARLES H1LLS,J1.,

' Intestimony whereof I-have hereunto sub FRANK A. BREMEIQ Jr.

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