US2162417A - Building brick and wall - Google Patents

Description

13, 1939. c;a B- BREAKEY N 2,16?,417

BUILDING BRICK AND WALL Filed Julysl, 195'/ 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. ZI 'ealgefeaqyt WMM Y I Izz'f ATTOREY 'June13,1939. j vG.B.I= S.\=A ,Epf www BUILDING BRICK ANl WALL Filed July 3l, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gli; ATTORNEY Patented June'13, 1939 UNITED .STATES BUILDING Barok AND WALL George B. Breakey, Brooklyn, N. Y., asaignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Tybriok Corporation, a corporation of New York Application July 3l, 1937, Serial No. 156,727 11 (Jlaiml. (Cl. 'I2-41).,

This invention relates in general to building bricks, and has for its main object tov` provide abrick which is of hollow construction and yet offers the vstrength and load capacity of solid brick of equal size.

That is to say, the subject of the present invention is a new and valuable building block which, although made hollow for lightness, and although having additional important advantages l0 resulting from its skeletal nature and conformational characteristics, is essentially not a socalled hollow tile such as is customarily employed for mere partition construction or for air-insulation per se, but, instead, is a building block l@ for a load-bearing wall, or a true (loadbearing) brick.

I am aware that it has been proposed to provide a tile building block with voids therein and otherwise specially shaped, all purportedly for the purpose of giving an air-insulated, light-weight and water-tight wall, and at the same time, a building block havingthe strength and load ca pacity of a solid brick of the same size; but these proposals have fallaciously been predicated on the idea that as long as the hollow tile bloeit` included webs, Walls or ribs of more than usual thickness, and (in order to include these) was of standard outside-wall or load-sustaining building-brick size as to two of its three dimensions and with a third dimension equal to a multiple of the third dimension of a standard solid brick, it

.would offer a comparatively high percentage .of

compressive strength or load capacity when compared to the usual solid, standard building brick.

Such an abortive theory has heretofore consistently been unchallenged, as ,evidenced by a large plurality of paper patents invwhat, if merely cursorily considered, would be erroneously termed the prior art.

40 My invention provides, and is the first to provide, a hollow load-bearing building brick; which is a multiple-brick unit and so can form a continuous bond across the wall, in each course, to save mortar and masons time in laying, and which is so shaped .that a wall built therefrom will be dry and heat-insulated Without the application of water-proofing, Iurrlng and lathing,

yet a brick so conformed that the regular, standard-shaped brick (2" x 4" i: 8") can be laid in combination therewith, without the necessity of chipping away any brick portions.

One of the essential concepts of the present invention, whereby the above and other objects are attained, is a holiowing out of the bulk-content of a standard brick in a. way to lighten its weight considerably yet to reduce its load-carrying capacity only negligibly if at all. More speciilcally, this essential concept includes:

(a) The provision of a tunnel-like cavity through the brick, by the omission of internal areas of the brick so located as not normally to be under much if any compressive stress thereby to provide an internal void, and one of a cross-section and at a location in the brick such that the load-bearing value of the arched brick thereby provided is substantially if not fully equal to that of a standard solid bricksaid 1ocation corresponding tothe location of the less thoroughly kiln-burned interior' mass of the standard brick (which mass is really, I have found, of negligible loadfsustaining ability or action, being a neutral area where the stresses prevailing if any are negative ones), and said cross section being substantially ovaior elliptical thereby to correspond substantially in location and shape with the location and shape of said mass, and, fortuitously (due to the oval or elliptical characteristic of said cavity, particularly at the upper portion thereof when the brick is laid), to provide a' special arch structure and action in the body' of the new arched brick where the retained material oi the latter spans over said cavity.

(b) 'I'he provisiora, in a multiple-unit brick (that is, one ,say 2" x.8r x 8", where the standard brickwcontinues to be, as it has been for many centuries 2" x 4" x 8"), not only of a plurality of said cavities, (for example, in the double-unit brick just referred to, one such cavity for each of the two sections oi the double-unit brick) and these, preferably, in combination with a central tunnel-like cavity providing a powerfui truss element inbuilt in the brick and of its own material, all to give a plural-unit load-bearing brick having a load-sustaining capacity which is equivalent to a solid structure of equal. or even larger size.

(c) The' provision, also, oi' an exterior conformation for the new arched brick such that the load transmitted through the intervening and bonding mortar layer from one arched-brick to the lapped arched-bricks in the immediately underlying course, is delivered substantially equally to all load-bearing parts of said underlying bricks, instead of as heretofore, theoretically to a hollowtile-type section of a pseudo-brida, butF actually to a very weak 'web member. fatally incapable of withstanding the cracking strain imposed thereon by the tension stress imparted theretor-andv at the same time anexterior conformation for the new arched-brick such that not only the mortar between the brick courses accomplishes its bonding function yet acts absolutely to prevent water-seepage through the wall, but also such that any desired thickness of mortar between courses can be employed and yet this layer will always perform its intended work of acting as a flat-plate load-transmission means from one course to the course therebelow.

An important object of the invention, and one obtainable by a brick incorporating some or all of the features above, is to provide a rectangular true brick which, while specially conformed away from the flat at top and bottom faces, will lie flat when studied and with the height of the stack merely the sum, of the thicknesses of all the bricks in the stack.

Other features and advantages will be hereinafter apparent.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a now preferred embodiment of the brick of my invention, as well also as a plurality of moditlcations thereof, another novel brick useful therewith and otherwise, and a wall structure pursuant to its invention:

Fig. 1 shows said now preferred embodiment of my new brick, in isometric perspective.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, showing two of these bricks stacked for storage or transportation.

Fig. 8 is also an end elevation showing two of said bricks bonded together by a mortar layer.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, lbut with reinforcements, as metal rods, embedded in the lower ends of the diagonal load-thrust members aforesaid.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, illustrating a wall pursuant to the invention, comprising three courses and a corner construction including in each course at the wall corner one brick of standard size here shown as another novel brick according to the invention.

Fig. 6 shows the brick last-mentioned, in top plan, and on an enlarged` scale.

Fig. 'Tis a view thereof in side elevation, partially broken away and partially in section.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the courses of a wall wherein a lower wall section of three-brick thickness carries above the same a stepped-back wall section of two-brick thickness-the bricks of the last-mentioned wall section being like those of Fig. 1, and-the bricks of the first-mentioned wall section being a modification of the brick of Fig. 1 only in thaty it is thrice the width instead of merely twice the width of an ordinary brick and in that it has four instead of two oval or elliptical tunnel-like passages therethrough.

Fig. 9 shows in end elevation another modification of the brick of Fig. 1, and a brick of the same width as the latter, but with no part of any convex formation on its bottom extended below the at of its bottom and with its bottom interrupted near the two opposite sides of the brick by mortar taking and locking grooves.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view, showing two of the bricks of Fig. 9 stacked for storage and transportation.

Fig. 1l is a view similar to Fig. l0, showing said bricks bonded together by mortar as in building a wall.

Referring first to the exemplifying form of my 'inventionA illustrated inFigs. 1 through 5 and to the multiple-brick unit shown therein, this brick as shown is a rectangular building brick equivathat is, in place of being made 2" x 4" x 8" it is made 2" x 8 x 8", for the purpose of effecting labor savings in laying, carrying and transportation as well as savings in manufacture. As shown, the individual unit brick I0 is substantially rectangular in shape and is provided with arch forming oval or elliptical openings II oppositely oil'- set from a central substantially triangular or truss shaped opening I2;these openings running through the brick from endto end as shown, forming tunnel-like cavities or voids therethrough. Thus, while there is provided a hollow brick, it is formed of strong arches linked by a main truss all embodied within a substantially rectangularly shaped brick of rm wall structure throughout and with brick material removed only in the areas where the prevailing stresses if any are negative; and hence it is a load-bearing or true brick. By providing the voids II and I2, there is actually provided, probably, a brick of greater load-bearing capacity than if the brick were left solid as usual. This is due to the inability in the case of the ordinary solid brick to kiln-burn the same throughout the mass thereof, due to the formation first of a hard shell or crust about the brick material at the core of the brick.

The voids II and I2 are shown as located in the zones of this internal non-load-bearing core, and the brlck-end-adjacent ends of the voids II correspond roughly in contour with the contour of the ends of said core. By the present invention, however, the kiln-heat acts not only on the superficies of my brick which correspond to the six flat faces of an ordinary solid brick, but also on the superficies of my brick established by the Walls of the voids I l and I2.

On the bottom of my brick is formed a suitably corrugated surface I3, and in the top of my brick is formed a central rib I4 attended by a groove I5 on one side thereof and a groove I6 on the other side thereof. The rib I4 provides a means for conveniently handling the brick in laying, the conformation IB-Il-IB being cross-sectionally entirely made up of concave and convex curvatures which smoothly merge to eliminate crackstarting joints and to avoid finger-pinching or cramping angles or corners.

When the bricks are stacked for transportation, one upon the other, as shown in Fig. 2, the rib I4 ilts into the major central concavity of the corrugation I3, thus permitting the bottom face I1 of one brick to sit flush upon the top face I8 of an underlying brick. This means more bricks per load in transportation as against various types of irregularly shaped hollow tiles which in most cases are cumbersome and hard to ship because of their shapes and which often are cracked in transit due to their being shaken about.

Fig. 3 is an end view of my brick laid in course, with the mortar I 9 forming a bond between an upper brick and the one therebelow, and also forming an interlocking means with the bricks by way of the grooves I5 and I6 in the top of. the lower brick and the two terminal minor concavities I5 and I6' of the corrugation I3 in the bottom of the upper brick.

The layer of mortar I9 can be of any desired thickness; and regardless of the thickness of such layer, there is always provided a void 2G between the mortar of one brick and an underlying brick,

in the form of an upwardly arched chamber, for

absolutely preventing water seepage from one side of the wall to the other by capillary action through the mortar andat the mortar line. A

' the concave sides of the rib shank, but also the major lowerpart of the laterally swelled top of the rib Il are subtended by the rounded grooves Il and li sunk in the upper face of the brick, so that the rib and the two grooves aredefined in cross-section wholly by curvilinear lines which merge smoothly and imperceptibly where joined. At the same time, the general direction of depth extension of each of the grooves I5 and i8 is at an oblique inclination to the vertical and such directions of depth extension of the two grooves are downwardly convergent. These arrangements coact to give the important advantages of having the solid rib Il project only slightly above the top of the brick, of assisting in making the rib an ideal hand-hold, and of capacitating the grooves to act as receptors for mortar elements to constitute diagonal. load-thrust members running down from one course to another and from an end arch of any overlying brick to the central truss element of an immediately underlying brick.

In forming a wall with my bricks I may first build a foundation or lower wall section by using a unit brick 25, Pig. 8, which is oi' the width of three standard bricks in place of one of the width of two standard bricks, as is my unit brick I0, and then build directly thereupon an upper wall section of my unit bricks il as shown in the view last mentioned. It will be observed that in so doing, no adapter bricks of any kind are necessary to change from the larger unit brick 2S to the smaller unit brick il, and vice versa. Also, this wider unit brick 25 demonstrates the adaptability of my invention to any size of brick.

Furthermore, the, usual header course is not required at the usual intervals over theheight of the wall, as, for instance, every sixth course; as the wall of the present invention is interlocked, laterally, at every course, by the multiple-type brick employed, of a.width equal to two, three or more standard solid bricks.

Referring finally to Figs. 9, and 11, these views illustrate a brick Iba exactly like the brick Il of Fig. l, except in two particulars. It will be seen that the parts I la, ila, i3d, Ha. iba. a, a' and lia' in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 correspond, respectively, to the parts Il, I2, II, I4, i5, I., il' and it' of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Note, however, that in Figs. 9. l0 and 11 the convexities of the corrugation i3 which intervene between the maior concavity Il' and the minor concavities I 5a' ma` Ita' are flush with me bottom me of the brick. Note, also, that mortar taking and locking grooves It are shown at the bottom of the brick Ila, near the opposite sides thereof. In certain wall structures, employing any embodiment of, the multiple unit of the present invention, these corrugations or equivalents are desirable.

Considerable particularities of description, as to materials. dimensions, capacities, utilities and preferences may have been herein indulged in,

' but it will be understood that these statements.

made with particular reference to that one, and` the one now preferred, of the many possible embodiments of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, are not in any way to be taken as definitive or limitative of the invention. That is to say, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Modifications and variations may be made within the invention, andparts of the-improve- 75 ments may be used without others.

And as will be understood, the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art, it being understood that the curvature of the curvilinear or curved surfaces and the curved arch-shaped walls as claimed is substantially continuous.

I claim:

l. A building brick substantially rectangular in shape and of multiple type, having edge dimensions the same as standard brick and having a plurality of interior portions hollowed-out therethrough as voided areas of a substantially curved shape and disposed on either side of a central portion and parallel to edges of the brick, said hollowedout portions being closed in all around by the material of the brick and being bounded interiorly of the brick by substantially curved-arch shaped walls constituting compression body members of the brick.

2. A multiple type brick having load-bearing capacity substantially'equlvalent to a standard brick, substantially rectangular in shape, and of a size to displace a plurality of standard brick in width but having its other two dimensions the same as standard brick, and having a plurality of internal areas hallowed-out to a substantially curvilinear shape to incorporate a plurality of integral substantially curvedarch compression structural body members in thesaid multiple type brick. said areas disposed on either side of a central portion and parallel to edges of the brick, said brick having a solid rib of a substantially curvilinear shape formed on the upper side of said brick and in the central portion thereof and extending in parallelism with said areas, the major bulk of said solid rib being formed within the body of the brick Irather than above the upper plane surface of same and being separated from the upper face surface of said brick by roundedout groove formations therein on either side of said solid rib, which said solid rib is useful as a hand-gripping member or hand-hoh? for the f working application e! the brick, the said rounded-out groove formations providing practical working finger spacesin use of said rib as a handgripping member.

3. A multiple type brick substantially as described in claim 2, having a'central triangleshaped void extended therethrough parallel to edges of the brick to establish a central integral triangle-arched compression member, said compression member terminating with said solid rib formed on the upper apex thereof.

, 4. A multiple type brick substantially as described in claim 2, in which said solid rib is a solid projection forming the upper apex of a triangle-arched compression structural body vmember mainly formed by a. triangle-shaped void in the central part of the brick. said rib having a convexly rounded top and concavely rounded sides and 'providing a practicable hand gripping member; said rounded-out groove formations establishing and defining specially curved partial upper and outer formations for said curved-arch and triangle-shaped structural members of the brick, providing spaces for thereception of reinforcing rods, providing practical working finger space on either side of said solid rib for use oi. said hand-gripping member, and also providing spaces for the interception of jointing material when said bricks are placed in wall construction.

5. A multiple type brick substantially as described in claim 2, in which said solid rib is extended parallel to two opposite edges of the brick;

thelower face of the brick having a Vcurvilinearly contoured multiple-grooved recess formed therein, extended up into the body of x the brick and extending parallel to and in substantially vertical alignment with said solid rib, said recess hav ing a central major grooved portion of a shape substantially complementing the curved shape of the apex of the solid rib on a subjacent brick.

6. A multiple type brick substantially as described in claim 2, having a multiple-groove corrugation formed and extended up into the body of said brick, on the lower side and in the central portion thereof and extending parallel to edges oi?l the brick, said multiple-groove corrugation having a central major groove which forms the lower face side of a central curvedarch compression body member of the brick, said compression body member being substantially in alignment with the lower face walls, of the brick, the upper side o f said curved-arch compression body member being formed by a centrally located triangle-arched shaped voided area within the brick.

7. A multiple type brick having load-bearing capacity substantially equivalent to standard brick, substantially rectangular in shape and of size to displace a plurality of standard bricks in width but having its two other dimensions the same as standard brick, and having a plurality o! voided areas therethrough of substantially curvilinear shape disposed on either side of a central portion which is partially formed by a voided area of triangular shape, said voids forming a substantially curved-archv and triangular-arched compression body members within the brick; said central portion being topped by a solid rounded rib and having parallel rounded grooves on either side "of said rib sunk in the brick, said rib forming the upper extended apex of said triangular-arch compression member; and said central portion at the brick bottom having a multiple groove corrugation including a central major groove o! a shapev substantially complementing the rounded rib of a subjacent brick, and said major groove forming the lower face of a central-arch compression body member the upper face of which is formed by the bottom of said triangular-shape voided area.

bond interlocks and resisting seats for diagonalload-thrustl members formed byintercepted overflow mortar the opposing/seats for which mem'- bers are provided by/the grooves on either side of said rib of a sub acent brick.

9. A brick as in claim '7, wherein the various internal areas of the brick body omitted to establish said arched/ compression members are located in the neutral regions of the brick body where merely negative stresses prevail so that said omitted areas represent only a slight reduction of structural value which is .amply compensated for by the more uniform burning of the brick in the kiln, said compression body members being so formed and shaped by said omitted areas and by said grooves on either side of said rib and by said corrugation as to form asingle trussed unit Vin which the imposed load stresses are uniformly distributed through the brick to form a trussed bond transverse to theY Wall in each course when the brick is placed in Wall construction.

10. A building wall comprising multiple bricks as in claim 7, in which each brick has its said rib and its said corrugation soformed and located that the rib on one brick is only partially extended into the said major groove of a superjacent brick when said bricks are mortar spaced in wall construction, whereby a curved-arch cavity is provided between said bricks to act as a horizontal air duct between two brick courses, said cavities joined by vertical air ilues between adjacent brick ends and between spaced mortar portions at said ends.

11. A building wall including bricks as in claim '7, said bricks having their ribs so formed that with said bricks mortar spaced in said wall said ribs are non-projectant above such mortar whereby said bricks can be laid in combination with standard size adapter bricks without any chipping or cutting away of any portion of any-brick; said wall also including standard size adapter bricks having a plurality of voids therethrough so arranged that one void in an adapter brick matches one void in a superjacent adapter brick at a corner of said wall when corner-bonded by the adapter bricks, thereby to provide at said cornerI a vertical air duct in the wall.

"GEORGE B. BREAKEY.

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