US2319914A

US2319914A - Building block

Info

Publication number: US2319914A
Application number: US367210A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr William A Blanding
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-11-26
Filing date: 1940-11-26
Publication date: 1943-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 1960-05-25

Description

May 25, 1943. w. A. BLANDING, JR 2,319,914

BUILDING BLOCK lFiled Nov. 2e, 1940 a H6' ZZ INVENTOR. F/G. 2O F/G "-9/ BY #WM/4M A? 5gg/Vw ATTORNEY.

Patented May 25, 1943 UNITED STATES PAT-ENToFFlcE BUILDING BLOCK wiuiam A. nlanaing, Jr., neming, Mich. Application November 26, 1940, Serial No. 367,210

6 Claims. (Cl. 46-25) This invention relates to interlocking building blocks.

'I'he principal object of the invention is to provide a set of building `blocks which includes a large number of blocks of separate and distinct shapes and sizes, so constructed that the blocks may be locked together inv different combinations of three or more to form a wide variety of structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set ofbuilding blocks .capable of being assembled in interlocking relationship without the use of separate key blocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set of building blocks which can be readily assembled and disassembled, and which when assembled `form a stable composite structure.

These objects are attained by providing a set of a large number of blocks, all of which have the following features in common:

1. Each block is formed in one piece but comprises one or more fundamental L-shaped sections, all of said sections being the same size.

2. All blocks are provided with right parallelepipedal projections of the same thickness.

3. The lengths of the blocks are multiples of the lengths of the shortest of the above mentioned projections.

The foregoing objects will more fully appear in the foregoing specication when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away of one structure formed from the set of blocks comprising this invention;

Figures 2 to 19 are pictorial Views of the respective individual blocks which make up the set comprising the invention; and

Figures 20 to 23 are pictorial views illustrating the manner of assembling certain of the blocks together.

In the following description and in the claims the word length indicates a dimension taken in the direction indicated by the letter L in Figure 2. Similarly, width and height indicate dimensions taken in the directions indicated by the letters W and T respectively. Thus, the length of a block or a part thereof may be less than its width or height.

'I'he blocks which comprise this invention may be divided generally into three groups. includes blocks A to I, shown in Figures 2 to l1, and may be called the wall blocks. Group 2 consists of blocks J, K and L, shown in Figures 12 to roof blocks M, N and O, cornice block P, and

chimney base block Q, shown in Figures 15 to 19 respectively.

All upright structures, such as walls and the like, are formed by various combinations of the blocks of Group 1. All of these blocks have the same overall width and the same overall height. Preferably their width is twice their height. All of them are provided with cooperating projections and recesses so formed that any three of the blocks may be secured together in interlocking relationship.`

It will be noted from the drawing that each of blocks A to I comprising group I is composed of one or more L-shaped sections III which may be termed the fundamental sections. All such fundamental sections are identical in size and shape. They are deilned in the drawing by the exterior surfaces of the blocks and the planes formed by the broken lines in Figures 2 to 11.

Block B is the smallest block, and all other blocks of group I are multiples of it in length. This block is composed of two of the L-shaped 'sections above described arranged back to back.

The upright legs of the L-shaped sections I0 form a pair of oppositely extending projections II at one end of the block. Adjacent the projections II at the other end of the block areangular recesses I2, the bottoms of which are formed by the horizontal legs of the L-shaped sections IB.

Since the L-shaped sections are equal in size and shape, it follows that the projections II are equal in length, width and height. The length, width and depth of each recess I2 are equal to the length, width and height respectively of each of the projections I I. The length of the block B is twice the length of the projections I I.

Block A is the most frequently used of all of the blocks of the set. It is composed of four L- shaped sections arranged as shown in Figure 2, or in other words, isshaped like two of the blocks B arranged end to end. This block has two pairs of oppositely extending projections I I at the ends of the block separated by recesses I3 of a length twice that of the projections II. The length of the block is four times the length of the projections II.

Block C is employed primarily to form the top or bottom of a window opening or the top of a -door opening in a wall. It is composed of six L-shaped sections I0, four of them being located back to back at the ends of the block, andthe other two arranged end to end in the middle of 14, which are step blocks, and group 3 includes 55 the block. Thus, the block has four projections the block isa wide recess I5.

Blocks D and E are the base blocks for a wall structure. These blocks are composed respectively of one and two L-shaped sections respectively. 'I'he blocks D and E are similar Ato blocks B and A, respectively, but with the bottom recesses I2 and I3 lled up so that the blocks may rest on a oor or table without leaving any gaps.

Block F is another base block employed to form the bottom oi.' a door frame. 'I'his block has two projections Il 'at the ends and a wide recess therebetween. The length of the block is eight times the length of the projections II.

Blocks G and G' are corner blocks for joining two walls at right angles to each other. Block G is of the same length, width and height as block A and has three projections II thereon, two at one end and one at the other. A fourth projection, designated by the numeral I 6, is of the same length as the projections II but its width is equal to its length.

Block G' is substantially the same as block G but-has a square projection I6', the same as I6 in block G, but located at the opposite corner. 'I'he blocks G alnd G are used alternately in building the corner between the adjoining walls, see Figure 23.

Block H- is employed in a manner similar to block C but is used to form a window or door opening of extra. width. It is similar to block C. but longer, being twelve times the length of the end projections II. It has two double length projections Il on one side. The recesses I3 between the projections II and I4 are twice the length of the projections I I.

Block I is employed only at the top of a wall to support the eave blocks, which will be described presently. Block I has two projections I I on the bottom side spaced apart by a recess I3. The length of the block is four times the length of the projections I I. vOn the top of the block is a proof the projection Il is equal to the length of projections II. At the other edge of rthe block is a recess I9 of a width equal to the length of recesses I2 previously described. Thus, the width of the recess Il is equal t0 the width of projection I8.

Block N is slightly wider than block M, but otherwise of the same cross section. 'I'he added width is provided by an elongated projection at the side opposite the projection I8. This projection 20 forms an overhanging eave for a house structure, such as shown in Figure 1. The elongated recess I9 between the projections I8 and 20 receives the projections I'I on the top wall blocks I.

Block 0 is of the same cross-section as block j M, but adjacent one end thereof is provided with jection I1 which extends the full length of the block at one edge thereof. 'I'he width and height of the projection I1 are equal to the length and height oi the projections I I.

Blocks J, K and L, forming group 2, are used only for steps. Block J is the bottom or ilrst step. Its length is six times the length of the projection II on the blocks previously described. This block is formed to ilt around the ends of two base blocks E. v

Block K is the same length as block J and has a projection on one side thereof extending the full length of the block. 'I'he width oi' this projection is equal to the length of projections II. Block K rests upon block J and interlocks therewith.

Block L is the third or top step. This block is equal in length to block A and is oi' rthe same cross-section as block K. It tits into the wall structure between twoadjoining blocks, such as blocks A.

The blocks of group 3 all have one or more inclined surfaces but they include the same fundamental L-shaped section as do the other blocks.

Block M is long enough to extend the full length of a house, such as is shown in Figure 1. On its lower surface it has a projection I8 which extends the full length of the block. The width 'I5- a transverse groove or recess 2|. This recess is adapted to receive the chimney base block which will be described presently.

Block P is of the same cross-section as block M. Its length, however, is equal to the width of the wall blocks forming group I.

Block Q is the chimney base block. It is formed of two L-shaped sections IU arranged in end to end relationship and has two triangular sections on its lower side. 'I'he two triangular sections form a V-shaped recess 22 which fits over the :blocks O in the groove 2l. The top surface of the block has a projection Il and a pair of recesses I2 at opposite ends of the projection I4.

The manner of locking theblocks together is illustrated in Figures l, 20, 2l, 22 and 23. The base blocks D, E and F are arranged in end to end relationship in any desired combination and where a cornervis to be formed one of the blocks E is arranged with one end at the side of am adjacent -block E. The wall is then built up of a plurality of sections, such as A, the latter being arranged in end to end relationship, so that a pair of projections II are received in the recesses I3 in the blocks E and F, and the projections II on the blocks E and F are received in the recesses I3 in blocks A. At the corners of the building, blocks G and G' are arranged in alternate relationship and are interlocked with base blocks E and with each other, as shown best in Figure 23. The projections II, I6 and I 6' on blocks G and G cooperate with similar projections on adjoining blocks A to lock the blocks together.

Blocks B, C, H and I are also tted into the wall and interlocked in the same manner, but are used around door and window openings and at the bottom of the wall, as necessary.

The use of the roof blocks is shown in Figures 20 to 22. Block N its over the upstanding projections I1 on the blocks I and the projections I I on blocks G and G at the corners of the building. The aforementioned projections are received in the recess I9 in the bottom of the block N.

The projections I8 on the lower sides of the blocks M are received in the recesses I3 in the top blocks A at the ends of the building. See Figure 21.

There are two Iblocks O. These t together in back to back relationship as shown in Figure 22, and the projections I8 are reecived in the recess iI3 in the top block A at each end of the build- The chimney base block Q seats in the recesses 2I in the blocks O. 'I'he chimney may be completed by iitting a -base block B over the projection I4 on the top oi' the chimney base block Q,

or the chimney may be built higher with additional .blocks A and B.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the blocks which comprise this invention are so constructed that they may be interlocked in a wide variety of ways. Furthermore, each block interlocks with one or more of the other blocks without the use of separate key blocks, such as have been considered necessary in previous sets of blocks. No gaps whatever appear in the completed structure except those for the windows, doors and the like.

'I'his invention has been developed primarily as a toy. However, it will be evident that larger blocks involving the same fundamental principles may be constructed for the purpose of erecting full sized buildings of different sorts. v

The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A set of building blocks including three blocks of different configurations, said blocks being formed with cooperating projections and recesses whereby the blocks may be secured in interlocked engagement, one of said blocks being of substantially greater length than its width and height, said block having a projection on one side at the edge thereof extending the full length of the block, the width of saidv projection being equal to the length of the shortest projection on any of the blocks.

2. A set of building blocks including three blocks of dierent conilgurations having the saine overall width and the same overall height, said blocks being formed with cooperating projections and recesses whereby said blocks may be secured in interlocked engagement, one of said blocks comprising two oppositely extending projections of equal size at one end of the block andof a width equal to the width of the block, and two oppositelyextending projections at the other end of 4the block, one of said last mentioned projections having a width equal to its length.

3. .A set of building blocks comprising at least three separate blocks, each of said blocks being of a dmerent conilguration and each block being of the same width and overallheight as the other a recess therebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combined dimensions of two of said last named projections, whereby said blocks may be secured in interlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniform thickness equal to the width of said blocks.

4. A set of building blocks comprising atleast four separate blocks, each of said blocks being of a different configuration and each block being of the same width and overall height as the other blocks, at least two of said blocks being of the same length, each of said blocks having a projection on one face thereof at one end thereof, all of said projections being of the same shape and size, at least two of said blocks having two of said projections on one face thereof spaced to form a recess therebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combined dimensions of two of said projections, whereby said blocks may be secured in interlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniform thickness equal to and size, at least two of said blocks having two of said projections on one face thereof spaced to form a recess therebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combined dimensions of two of said projections, whereby said blocks may be secured in interlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniform thickness equal to the width of said blocks.

6. A set of building blocks comprising at least three separate blocks, each of said blocks being of a different configuration and each block being of the same width and overall height as the other blocks, at least two of said blocks being of the same length, each of said blocks having a projectionon one face thereof at one end thereof, all of said projections being of the same shape and size, at least one of said blocks having two of said projections on one face thereof spaced to form a recess therebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combined dimensions of two of said projections, at least one of said blocks comprising a pair of oppositely extending projections of equal size at each end of the block, whereby said blocks may bejsecured in interlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniform thickness equal to the width of said blocks.

WILLIAM A. BLANDING, Jn.