WO1996028617A1 - Element de construction - Google Patents

Element de construction Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996028617A1
WO1996028617A1 PCT/AU1996/000145 AU9600145W WO9628617A1 WO 1996028617 A1 WO1996028617 A1 WO 1996028617A1 AU 9600145 W AU9600145 W AU 9600145W WO 9628617 A1 WO9628617 A1 WO 9628617A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
head portion
wall
elements
bricks
tail
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1996/000145
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Brankin Curry
Original Assignee
John Brankin Curry
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AUPN1794A external-priority patent/AUPN179495A0/en
Application filed by John Brankin Curry filed Critical John Brankin Curry
Priority to AU49320/96A priority Critical patent/AU4932096A/en
Publication of WO1996028617A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996028617A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/02—Retaining or protecting walls
    • E02D29/025—Retaining or protecting walls made up of similar modular elements stacked without mortar

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an improved building element in the form of a brick or block which may be used, for example in an edging application for forming a barrier or for the construction of walls for example, retaining walls.
  • bricks and blocks of many different designs are currently known. Generally, however, bricks or blocks which are used in a garden edging application are usually of a rectangular form and are laid end to end to define a border around a garden bed or the like. As such, bricks however are of a rectangular shape, where curves are encountered and where the bricks follow that curve,
  • V-shaped gaps or openings are created. Unless the gaps are filled, for example by mortar, grass can easily penetrate into the garden bed. In addition, the appearance of an edging of the above type with V-shaped gaps between the bricks in a curved area is not aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, formation of garden edging using conventional bricks, often involves the use of mortar to bind the bricks together and this obviously is a time consuming and tedious process. Other forms of garden edging which are used, such as railway sleepers or rounded half logs also have disadvantages in that they do not always form an effective barrier around a garden. Another form of garden edging comprises continuous laid concrete. Edging of this form, whilst providing an effective barrier, is permanent and cannot be reused. It is also liable to cracking due to subsidence and/or expansion or contraction.
  • Bricks or blocks which are specifically designed for garden edging generally are of a set height allowing only one course to be laid. They are thus unsuitable for applications in the formation of walls, for example retaining walls. Conventional bricks and blocks in addition require considerable expertise to lay, particularly where mortar is used to bind the bricks to one another .
  • the present invention aims to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages by providing in one preferred aspect a building element in the form of a brick or block which may be used for formation of a garden edging or in other edging applications and which will provide an effective barrier against the growth of weeds or grass.
  • the present invention aims in a further aspect to provide a brick or block which may be simply and easily laid by unskilled personnel.
  • the present invention in a further preferred aspect, aims to provide a building element in the form of a brick or block which may be used for constructing walls or the like.
  • the present invention thus provides a building element for forming edging or walls, said element having a head portion and tail portion extending from said head portion, said head portion having a part-cylindrical side wall extending through an angle greater than 180° and said tail portion having side walls and a concave trailing end wall, said tail portion having a maximum width between said side walls less than the diameter of said head portion, said trailing end wall being complementary to said part- cylindrical side wall of said head portion whereby a plurality of said elements may be arranged with said part- cylindrical wall of said head portion of one said element mating with said trailing wall of said tail portion of an adjacent said element.
  • the side walls of the tail portion may be substantially planar and parallel to each other.
  • Building elements of the above described form in a garden edging application preferably have at least a planar uninterrupted upper surface defined by the head and tail portions, the upper surface of the tail portion being coplanar with the upper surface of the head portion.
  • the complementary nature of the trailing end wall of the tail portion with the part-cylindrical wall surface of the head portion of an adjacent element permits respective elements to be arranged at various orientations relative to each other enabling, for example respective elements to follow a curved path.
  • the complementary mating nature of the elements also eliminates or minimises gaps between respective elements to prevent or reduce the possibility of grass or weeds growing therebetween or loss of soil from behind the elements, for example in a retaining wall application.
  • the head portion has an upper side and lower side and may have a central protrusion on one side and a central recess on the opposite side adapted to receive the protrusion of an adjacent upper or lower element.
  • the central protrusion is suitably vertically aligned with the central recess and preferably both the protrusion and recess are coaxial with the axis of revolution of the part- cylindrical surface.
  • the central protrusion is preferably complementary to the central recess.
  • the central protrusion and central recess may be of a frustoconical form.
  • a series of such elements may be arranged in a complementary mating configuration to form a first course and further courses then formed on each previously laid course up to the height required.
  • the elements in each respective course have their tail portions extending in opposite directions to provide for maximum interlocking between the elements in the respective courses.
  • Elements formed into walls of the above described type may follow a straight line or a curved path as desired. In each case the respective head portions of the bricks are vertically aligned to provide the appearance of upstanding columns.
  • the upper course of elements in a wall constructed as above are preferably formed with the protrusion absent so as to define a smooth upper surface to the wall.
  • an aperture may be formed centrally through the head portion of the element to pass through the protrusion and recess, the apertures in a erected wall being aligned for receipt of reinforcing rods to provide stability in the erected wall.
  • each element may be provided simply with an aperture passing centrally through the head portion from the top side to the underside thereof for receipt of a reinforcing rod or rods and mortar to secure the elements together and create columns to provide stability to an erected wall.
  • plugs or pins may be used in each aperture to extend between respective elements in the respective courses to provide interlocking between the elements, the plugs or pins being arranged for neat or firm engagement in the apertures in the elements.
  • Elements as above are suitable moulded and may be constructed of baked clay, concrete, plastics, composite sandstone or rammed earth or any other settable or hardenable material or materials. Alternatively the elements may be formed of wood such as treated hardwood or softwood.
  • the elements may be formed substantially solid or may be formed with cavities to reduce the material in each element.
  • the cavities may be filled with a binding material, for example a mortar or other cement mix to provide additional strength and stability to the elements when laid one above the other.
  • the present invention in a further aspect provides a method of forming an edging using elements of the above described type arranged such that the trailing concave end wall of one element receives in a complementary manner, the part-cylindrical side wall of the head portion of an adjacent element.
  • Elements used for edging preferably have a substantially planar uninterrupted upper surface.
  • the present invention further provides edging formed in accordance with this method.
  • the present invention provides a wall and a method of construction of same using a plurality of elements of the above described type laid in respective courses one above the other, the protrusions of the elements in one course being received in the recesses of the elements in an adjacent upper course.
  • the present invention further provides a wall constructed in accordance with this method.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first form of brick or block according to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the brick or block of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a part sectional view of the brick or block of Figs. 1 and 2;
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which the bricks or blocks of the invention may be laid to form a garden or other edging?
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the top of a further form of brick according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is an underside view of the brick of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the block of Figs. 5 and 6;
  • Fig. 8 illustrates the manner of construction of a wall using the bricks or blocks of Figs. 5 to 7;
  • Fig. 9 illustrates a typical wall constructed using the blocks of Figs. 5 to 7;
  • Fig. 10 illustrates a further form of block according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 11 illustrates in part sectional view the manner of constructing a wall using the blocks of Fig. 10;
  • Figs. 12 to 14 illustrate end building elements for use in a wall construction
  • Fig. 15 illustrates a typical application of the elements of Figs. 12 to 14. Detailed Description of the Embodiments
  • a building element in the form of a brick 10 having a head portion 11 of part circular form in plan view and a tail portion 12 extending from the head portion 11 and a tail portion 12 extending from and integrally formed with the head portion 11.
  • the head portion 11 has a part- cylindrical outer side wall 13 and the tail portion 12 has opposite substantially parallel side walls 14 and a concave end wall 15.
  • the width W of the tail portion 12 between the side walls 14 at the end wall 15 and at the head portion 11, is less than the diameter of the head portion 11.
  • the part-cylindrical outer wall 13 of the head portion 11 as shown extends through an angle ⁇ which is greater than 180 degrees. Typically the angle ⁇ is in the range of 240 to 260 degrees, for example 255 degrees.
  • the tail portion side walls 14 extend symmetrically from the head portion 11 relative to a centre line 16 passing through the centre of the head portion 11 and axis of rotation of the side wall 13.
  • the trailing concave end wall 15 of the tail portion 12 is also of part- cylindrical form complementary to the part-cylindrical wall 13 of the head portion 10.
  • the chord 17 subtending the arc defining the trailing wall 15 extends substantially at right angles to the centre line 16.
  • a recess 18 may be formed in the underside of the head portion 11 and preferably coaxial with the axis of the wall 13.
  • the recess 18 may be of a stepped construction having a larger diameter outer portion and a reduced diameter inner portion for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.
  • respective bricks 10 may be laid out along the line where the edging is to be located and such that the respective part-cylindrical walls 15 of the tail portions 12 nest with the cylindrical walls 13 of the head portions 11 of adjacent bricks 10.
  • the respective bricks 10 may be arranged in any orientation allowed by the circumferential extent of the part circular wall 13. If 0 desired and to permit bricks 10 to be arranged substantially at right angles to each other, notches 19 (see Fig. 2) may be formed at the junction of the head portion 11 and tail portion 12 and as a continuation of the part-cylindrical wall 13 of the head portion 11. The notches 19 will accept opposite V-shaped ends 20 of the tail portion 12.
  • This configuration may also be facilitated by removing the ends 20 of the tail portion 12, for example as shown in dotted outline at 21 in Fig. 2. It will be apparent in forming garden edging using the bricks 10 that the complementary co-operation between the part-cylindrical end surface 15 and part- cylindrical head surface 13 will minimise the gap between the respective bricks 10 such as to prevent or minimise the possibility of grass or weeds growing between the bricks 10.
  • Figs. 5 to 7 there is illustrated an alternative form of brick 22 according to the present invention which has a head portion 23 and tail portion 24 of the same configuration as the brick 10 of Figs. 1 to 3.
  • the head portion 23 is provided with a central upstanding protuberance or projection 25 coaxial with the part-cylindrical surface of the head portion 23 and which in the configuration illustrated is of substantially circular form in cross- section and tapering upwardly so as to be of a frustoconical configuration.
  • the underside of the head portion 23 is provided with a recess 26 complementary to the projection 25 and is thus also of tapering circular form in cross-section so as to also be frustoconical.
  • a through aperture 27 may be formed in the head portion 23 at the centre thereof to extend axially from the recess 26 through the protuberance 25.
  • Bricks 22 of this type are suited primarily for the construction of retaining walls.
  • a first course 28 of bricks 22 may be laid, for example on a foundation along the desired line of the wall to be constructed which for example, may be a straight line or which may incorporate curves.
  • a second course 29 of bricks 22 is laid upon the first course 29, however in this instance the tail portions 24 of the bricks 22 extend in a direction opposite to the direction of the tail portions 24 in the first course 28.
  • the projections 25 of the lower course 28 of bricks 22 locate within the recesses 26 of the upper course 29 of bricks 22. This arrangement ensures full interlocking between the bricks 22 in each course and between the respective courses of bricks 20 achieved through the co-operation between the projections 25 and recesses 26 and the co-operation between the curved ends of the tail portions 24 and the curved wall of the head portions 23.
  • bricks 10 of the type shown in Figs 1 to 3 are employed with the respective recesses 18 therein engaging over the projections 25 of the course 29. Again the tail portions 12 of the bricks 10 extend in a direction opposite to the tail portions 24 of the bricks 22 in the course 29.
  • reinforcing rods may be provided to extend between the through apertures 27 in the bricks 22 which are aligned, whilst the upper ends of the reinforcing rods extend into the smaller diameter portion of the stepped recess 18 of the upper course 30 of bricks 10.
  • Reinforcing rods may extend through the courses of bricks 22 into a foundation such as a concrete foundation in which they may be set. Assembly of bricks as described in Fig.
  • FIG. 8 enables construction of a wall 31 of the type shown in Fig. 9 which may be used for retaining or other purposes.
  • the head portions 23 and 11 of the respective bricks in each course are aligned, they provide the appearance of columns 32 and the configuration of the bricks 10 and 22 allows them to follow curved or straight paths as desired.
  • the use of bricks or blocks 22 of the type described and of a suitable size eliminates gaps between respective blocks 22 thereby minimising loss of sand or other retained materials.
  • the curved nature of the heads 23 of the blocks 22 will dissipate wave energy thereby reducing the hydraulic pressure to which the erected wall may be subject. If the heads 23 of the blocks 22 are laid so that they face into the direction of the water current, for example facing up river or into the direction of the waves, there is no opportunity for the force of the water to penetrate the point of contact between the tail of the leading block and the head of the following block. This reduces the possibility of the blocks moving due to hydraulic pressure at the point of contact between the blocks 22. Where reinforcing rods or poles are used, they may be rammed through the centre of the heads of the blocks into the underlying foundation further securing the blocks in place.
  • Fig. 10 illustrates an alternative form of brick 33 according to the invention which is similar to the bricks of Figs. 1 and 5 in so far that it includes a part- cylindrical head portion 34 and a tail portion 35 having a trailing part-cylindrical concave wall 36 adapted to mate with the end wall of the head portion 34 of a further block 33.
  • the head portion 34 is provided with a through aperture 37 centred on the axis of the head portion 34 to be coaxial therewith.
  • Bricks 33 of this type may be used in a garden edging application as described in Fig. 4 and the through apertures 37 may be simply plugged by mortar or an inserted member.
  • the bricks 33 may also be used for forming retaining walls 38 as shown in Fig. 11.
  • pins or plugs 41 may be provided for location within the apertures 37 in upper and lower bricks 33. This provides vertical stability to the wall 38.
  • the pin or plug 41 may be replaced by an elongated member which will extend through all of the courses.
  • the elongated member may comprise a reinforcing rod or rods and the respective apertures 37 may be filled with a settable materiral such as concrete about the rods to provide the required vertical stability.
  • the pin or plug 41 or elongated member may be of complementary cross sectional form to the apertures or may be formed to engage the walls of the apertures 37.
  • bricks 33 may also be provided with the apertures 37 being plugged by internal or external means to provide a neat finish.
  • a cylindrical brick or element 42 may be used as shown in Fig. 12.
  • the brick 42 is substantially the same diameter as the head portion 23 of the brick 22 and of substantially the same height.
  • a cylindrical brick 42 is laid against it, thus forming a matching surface with the head portion 23 of the brick 22 below and the head portion 23 of the brick 22 above.
  • walls constructed using the bricks 22 and 10 may be made to merge with conventional rectangular brick walls by using bricks which incorporate design features of both the brick 22 and rectangular bricks. Two supplementary bricks are necessary for this purpose as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
  • One supplementary brick 43 as shown in Fig. 13 is of the same length and height as the brick 22, and has a head portion 44 having a part-cylindrical outer wall 45 surface of the same dimensions as the brick 22.
  • the tail portion 46 s also similar in dimensions to the brick 22 except that, it is of a rectangular shape terminating in a flat end wall 47. This allows the end wall 47 of the first supplementary brick to match up with the end of a rectangular brick 48 of similar dimensions as shown in Fig. 15.
  • the part-cylindrical head portion 44 matches up with the tail portion 24 of a brick 22.
  • the second supplementary brick 49 shown in Fig. 14 is also of the same length and height as the brick 22, but of the same width as the tail portion 24.
  • One end 50 is of rectangular shape to match the corresponding end of a conventional brick.
  • the other end has a concave trailing wall 51 complementary to the part-cylindrical wall of the head portion 23 of the brick 22. This curved end matches up with the head portion 23 of a brick 22 as shown in Fig. 15.
  • the two supplementary bricks 43 and 49 may be alternatively laid at the end of each course of bricks 22, and easily merge into the construction of a wall made from rectangular bricks of a similar height and width.
  • the dimensions of the bricks may be varied as desired.
  • the relative dimensions of the head portion and the tail portion of the bricks may be varied.
  • the head portion 11 may have a greater or smaller diameter and the tail portion 12 may be increased or decreased in length and have a width which is larger or smaller relative to the head portion.
  • Similar dimensions of the bricks of Figs. 5 and 10 may be varied. Whilst the bricks are formed usually of a mouldable material such as concrete or clay, they may also be moulded from plastics or alternatively formed from timber, such as treated pine or any other material.
  • the shape of the protuberances on the head portions of the bricks may be varied as may the recesses on the underside of the bricks to accommodate the protuberances. So as to enable the bricks to be pivoted relative to each other however, it is desirable that projections or protuberances be centrally located on the head portion and have a constant diameter or diameters.
  • the underside of the head portion may be provided with no recess so as to be substantially flat.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un élément de construction sous forme de brique ou de bloc de maçonnerie (10). Cet élément de construction comporte une tête (11) à paroi (13) partiellement cylindrique et une queue à paroi (15) terminale concave partiellement cylindrique de façon complémentaire par rapport à la paroi (13). Ces briques ou blocs de maçonnerie (10) peuvent être disposés de façon que la paroi (15) d'un bloc de maçonnerie (10) vienne s'ajuster contre la paroi (13) d'un bloc de maçonnerie voisin (10). Ces briques ou blocs de maçonnerie (10) peuvent s'utiliser pour constituer des bordures ou pour construire des murs. Dans le cas de la construction de murs, les briques ou blocs de maçonnerie (10) peuvent être pourvus de protubérances et d'évidements complémentaires, respectivement sur la face supérieure et sur la face inférieure de la tête (11).
PCT/AU1996/000145 1995-03-16 1996-03-18 Element de construction WO1996028617A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU49320/96A AU4932096A (en) 1995-03-16 1996-03-18 Building element

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPN1794A AUPN179495A0 (en) 1995-03-16 1995-03-16 An improved building element
AUPN1794 1995-03-16
AU27229/95A AU665923B3 (en) 1995-03-16 1995-07-28 An improved building element
AU27229/95 1995-07-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996028617A1 true WO1996028617A1 (fr) 1996-09-19

Family

ID=25620204

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1996/000145 WO1996028617A1 (fr) 1995-03-16 1996-03-18 Element de construction

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU665923B3 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996028617A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013182832A1 (fr) * 2012-06-06 2013-12-12 Mardel David Charles Bloc à emboîtement

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2841794A1 (de) * 1978-09-26 1980-04-03 Barth Gmbh Dr Betonbauelement in form einer platte
GB2151287A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-07-17 Willi Ruckstuhl Embankment stone and method of building a sloping structure therewith
FR2657638A1 (fr) * 1990-01-26 1991-08-02 Manent Vincent Element modulaire de construction, notamment pour la realisation des murs de cloture de formes variees.

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU4137885A (en) * 1984-05-30 1985-12-05 Anton Bittner Building element
AU3430293A (en) * 1991-08-30 1994-08-15 H. Joe Meheen Modular soil retaining assembly

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2841794A1 (de) * 1978-09-26 1980-04-03 Barth Gmbh Dr Betonbauelement in form einer platte
GB2151287A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-07-17 Willi Ruckstuhl Embankment stone and method of building a sloping structure therewith
FR2657638A1 (fr) * 1990-01-26 1991-08-02 Manent Vincent Element modulaire de construction, notamment pour la realisation des murs de cloture de formes variees.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013182832A1 (fr) * 2012-06-06 2013-12-12 Mardel David Charles Bloc à emboîtement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU665923B3 (en) 1996-01-18

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