ZA200109703B

ZA200109703B - A building block.

Info

Publication number: ZA200109703B
Application number: ZA200109703A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Jan Harm Gerhardus Erasmus
Original assignee: Jan Harm Gerhardus Erasmus; Erasmus Jacques; Erasmus Morne; Erasmus Susarah Aletta
Priority date: 2000-04-07
Filing date: 2001-11-26
Publication date: 2002-06-26

Description

» Ly . Ae : -1-

A BUILDING SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a building system.

It relates particularly to a building system, a building block for use in the building system and to a method of constructing the wall of a structure using the building block.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According a to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a building block : for use in constructing a wall, the building block having a top side defining at least two socket formations and a bottom side defining at least two complementary socket formations, the socket formations being disposed in an arrangement wherein the socket formations of the building block can be positioned in register with the socket formations of a mating side of a similar building block in an adjacent course of the wall, thereby to receive locating pins in the socket formations that are in register, for locating the building blocks with respect to one another.

The building block may define at least one passage extending between said top

CONFIRMATION COPY

Jr and bottom sides of the building block.

The building block may define a pair of passages extending between said top and bottom sides of the building block.

The building block may have a generally rectangular configuration, said top and bottom sides being disposed opposite one another, the building block including two opposite ends, a front side and an opposed rear side.

The building block may define a pair of complementary locating formations for locating the building block with respect to similar building blocks in the same course of the wall, in use.

X One of the locating formations of the building block may be in the form of a ‘male dovetail formation and the other locating formation is in the form of a ~ complementary female dovetail formation. :

Each locating formation of the pair of locating formations may be disposed at a different end of the building block.

The building block may be formed of moulded synthetic plastics material.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provide a method of constructing a wall of a structure, which includes the steps of: positioning a number of building blocks adjacent one another in an arrangement to form a course of the wall, each building block having a top side defining at least two socket formations and a bottom side defining at least two complementary socket formations:

* AA Gn - -3- inserting locating pins into the socket formations in the top sides of the building blocks, the locating pins being sufficiently long so as to permit upper end regions of the locating pins to project from the top sides of the building blocks; and positioning a number of similar building blocks on the building blocks so as to form a superjacent course of the wall, in an arrangement wherein the upper end regions of the locating pins are received in the socket formations defined in the bottom sides of the building blocks of the superjacent course, thereby locating the building blocks of the superjacent course with respect to the building blocks of the subjacent course.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a building system

E “for constructing a wall of a structure, the building system comprising : 15 : a number of building blocks wherein each building block has a top side defining -at least two socket formations and bottom side defining at least two complementary socket formations, the socket formations being disposed in an arrangement wherein the socket formations of each building block can be positioned in register with the socket formations of an adjacent side of another building block in an adjacent course of the wall; and a number of locating pins that are receivable in the socket formations that are in register and that are defined in adjacent sides of building blocks in adjacent courses of the wall, for locating the building blocks with respect to one another.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The building blocks of the building system may be equivalent to the building block as defined and described above in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Further features of the invention are now described hereinafter by way of a non- limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a building block in accordance with the invention and a locating pin that can be received in one of the socket formations of the building block;

Figure 2 shows a schematic top plan view of the building block of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the building block of Figure 1, as sectioned along section line I{I-}Il;

Figure 4 shows a schematic end view of the building block of Figure 1, as viewed along direction arrow A;

Figure 5 shows a schematic end view of the building block of Figure 1, as viewed along direction arrow B;

Figure 6 shows a schematic top plan view of another embodiment of a building block in accordance with the invention, for use in forming a pillar of a doorframe;

Figure 7 shows a schematic top plan view of yet another embodiment of a building block in accordance with the invention, for use in constructing interior walls of a structure;

Figure 8 shows a schematic top plan view of a further embodiment of a building block in accordance with the invention, for use in forming corners defined by walls of a structure;

Figures 9A and B show schematic top plan views of yet further embodiments of building blocks in accordance with the invention, for use in constructing interior walls of a structure; and “Figures 10A - D show schematic top plan views of half blocks in accordance with the invention. “With reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a standard building block in : accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The building block 10 is of moulded synthetic plastics material and has a generally rectangular shape. The block 10 has a first end 12, a second end 14, a front side 16, a rear side 18, a top side 20 and a bottom side 22.

The top and bottom sides of the building block define flat mating surfaces and a number of frusto-conical socket formations 24 that taper towards the interior of the building block. The building block 10 defines a pair of passages 26.1 and 26.2 that extend between the top and bottom sides of the block.

The block 10 defines a pair of complementary locating formations at its ends 12 and 14 for locating the building block with respect to similar building blocks in the same course of a wall, in use. One of the locating formations is in the form

- of a male dovetail formation 28 and the other locating formation is in the form of a complementary female dovetail formation 30 in which the male dovetail wo formation of another building block in accordance with the invention, can be ~ slidingly received for securely locating the building blocks with respect to one another, end-to-end, in use.

In order to construct a wall of a structure, building blocks for forming a first course of a wall of the structure are laid flat on a flat base of the structure. The building blocks are located with respect to one another via the complementary dovetail formations. Locating pins 31 are inserted into the socket formations 24 in the top sides 20 of the building blocks. The locating pins are sufficiently long so that upper end regions of the locating pins project from the top sides of the building blocks in the first course. Each locating pin 31 has opposed frusto- conical end regions that are shaped to fit into socket formations that are in _register, in a snug fit. Building blocks for forming a second course of the wall are then positioned on the building blocks of the first course in an arrangement __wherein the upper end regions of the locating pins are received in the socket formations 24 in the bottom sides of the building blocks of the second course.

As such, opposite end regions of the locating pins are located in the socket formations that are in register, so that the locating pins extend into the adjacent building blocks. Hence, the male and female complementary dovetail formations ensure the secure location of building blocks in the same course with respect to one another, whereas the socket formations of the building blocks, having locating pins inserted therein, provide for the location of the building blocks in one course with respect to building blocks in adjacent courses.

When the building blocks are stacked on top of one another to form a wall of a structure, the passages 26.1 and 26.2 in the building blocks are in register with the passages of adjacent building blocks, thereby forming vertical passages in

» [OY the wall. The vertical passages provide spaces in which plumbing pipes and fittings, electrical conductors, and the like, can be received. Furthermore, the passages 26.1 and 26.2 enhance the heat insulation and acoustic absorption properties of the building blocks.

With reference to Figure 6 of the drawings, another embodiment of a building block in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 100. The building block 100 is substantially equivalent to the building block 10, with a difference being that the male dovetail formation of the building block 10 is replaced with a pillar-forming formation 36. In Figure 6 of the drawings, features of the building block 100 that are the same and/or similar to the features of the building block 10, are designated by the same and/or similar ‘reference numerals.

The pillar-forming formation 36 of the building block 100 can be used together : with pillar-forming formations of other building blocks 100, to form a pillar of a ‘door frame of a structure. Hence, the Applicant envisages that building blocks 100 will be used to form spaced side pillars on which a door can be hingedly mounted in a doorway defined by the side pillars. The pillars thus obviate the need for a door frame to be mounted in the doorway, on which a door can be mounted.

With reference to Figure 7 of the drawings, yet another embodiment of a building block in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 200. The building block 200 is substantially equivalent to the building block 10, with a difference being that the building block 200 includes an additional male dovetail locating formation 38 along a side 218 thereof. As such, features of the building block 200 that are the same and/or similar to the features of the building block 10, are designated by the same and/or similar

_ reference numerals.

The male dovetail formation 38 provides for the location of the building block - 200 with respect to the female dovetail formation of another building block in - 5 accordance with the invention, in the same course, so as to form a wall that i} extends orthogonally with respect to a wall formed by the building block 200 in - a direction along the longitudinal axis of the building block 200. The Applicant envisages that the building block 200 will be used particularly to locate the building blocks of internal walls of a structure with respect to the building 10 . blocks of external walls thereof.

With reference to Figure 8 of the drawings, a further embodiment of a building block in accordance with the invention, is designated by the reference numeral 300. The building block 300 is similar to the building block 10 and as such, features of the building block 300 that are the same and/or similar to those of the building block 10, are designated by the same and/or similar reference numerals.

The building block 300 is generally L-shaped and defines three passages 326.1, 326.2 and 326.3 that extend between top and bottom sides of the block. The block 300 has ends 312 and 314 that define a male dovetail locating formation 28 and a complementary female dovetail locating formation 30, respectively, for locating similar building blocks in the same course of a wall, with respect to the building block 300. As such, the building block 300 is used for forming a right- angled corner defined by two walls of a structure.

With reference to Figures 9A and 9B of the drawings, two further embodiments of a building block in accordance with the invention, are designated generally by the reference numerals 400.1 and 400.2. Features of the building blocks 400.1 and 400.2 that are the same and/or similar to those of the building block 10 are : designated by the same and/or similar reference numerals.

The building blocks 400.1 and 400.2 have generally L-shaped configurations and are adapted to be connected one another so as to form a generally T-shaped configuration. The blocks 400.1 and 400.2 are in the form of block-halves that can be releasably secured to one another via complementary male and female dovetail formations 28 and 30, respectively. The block-halves form a single T- shaped block as is shown in Figure 9B of the drawings. The T-shaped block is used for joining a first wall of a structure with respect to a second wall thereof that extends orthogonally with respect to the first wall. The Applicant envisages that the T-shaped block will typically be used for joining an internal wall with respect to an external wall of a structure.

With reference to Figures 10A to D of the drawings, 2 number of half building blocks in. accordance with the invention, are designated generally by the reference numerals 50.1, 50.2, 50.3 and 50.4. In Figure 10 of the drawings, features of the half blocks that are the same and/or similar to those of the block 10 are designated by the same and/or similar reference numerals. The half blocks each define at least one dovetail locating formation for locating the half blocks with respect to other similar building blocks in the same course of a wall.

Each half block defines a central passage 26 that extends between top and bottom sides thereof. The half blocks can be used for a number of different purposes including ending off a course of a wall, defining a corner of a wall, or the like. The socket formations 24 of the half blocks are spaced so as to be complementary with the socket formations 24 of other similar blocks for locating the half blocks with respect to other similar blocks in adjacent courses of a wall.

The invention extends to smaller versions of the building blocks as described and

. defined , for use as toys for building toy structures. iE It will be appreciated that the exact shape and configuration of the building = blocks as defined and described , may vary while still incorporating the essential x 5 features of the invention. As such, the Applicant envisages that a building block pS with a curved front and/or rear side may be provided so as to provide an iv aesthetic variation in a wall of a structure and/or to provide for the construction of curved wall structures for use in, for example, the construction of a wall for . a rondavel, or the like. . 10 :

The Applicant believes that the building block in accordance with the invention, provides a versatile, low-maintenance building block that will lead to significantly . , reduced labour costs due to the ease with which structures can be constructed : - + using the building block.

Claims

Gd ta wr} . -11- CLAIMS

1. A building block for use in constructing a wall, the building block having a top side defining at least two socket formations and a bottom side defining at least two complementary socket formations, the socket formations being disposed in an arrangement wherein the socket formations of the building block can be positioned in register with the socket formations of a mating side of a similar building block in an adjacent course of the wall, thereby to receive locating pins in the socket formations that are in register, for locating the building blocks with respect to one another.

2. A building block as claimed in Claim 1, which defines at least one passage extending between said top and bottom sides of the building block.

. 3. A building block as claimed in Claim 2, which defines a pair of passages extending between said top and bottom sides of the building block.

4. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which has a generally rectangular configuration, said top and bottom sides being disposed opposite one another, the building block including two opposite ends, a front side and an opposed rear side.

5. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which defines a pair of complementary locating formations for locating the building block with respect to similar building blocks in the same course of the wall, in use.

6. A building block as claimed in Claim 5, wherein one of the locating formations of the building block is in the form of a male dovetail formation and the other locating formation is in the form of a complementary female ) dovetail formation.

7. A building block as claimed in Claim 6, wherein each locating formation of the pair of locating formations is disposed at a different end of the : building block.

8. A building block as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein : the building block is formed of moulded synthetic plastics material.

9. A method of constructing a wall of a structure, which includes the steps of: 3 a positioning a number of building blocks adjacent one another in an “= SA arrangement to form a course of the wall, each building block having a He top side defining at least two socket formations and a bottom side defining at least two complementary socket formations; inserting locating pins into the socket formations in the top sides of the building blocks, the locating pins being sufficiently long so as to permit upper end regions of the locating pins to project from the top sides of the : building blocks; and positioning a number of similar building blocks on the building blocks so as to form a superjacent course of the wall, in an arrangement wherein the upper end regions of the locating pins are received in the socket formations defined in the bottom sides of the building blocks of the superjacent course, thereby locating the building blocks of the superjacent

EJ ¢, course with respect to the building blocks of the subjacent course.

10. A building system for constructing a wall of a structure, the building system comprising a number of building biocks, wherein each building block has a top side defining at least two socket formations and a bottom side defining at least two complementary socket formations, the socket formations being disposed in an arrangement wherein the socket formations of each building block can be positioned in register with the socket formations of an adjacent side of another building block in an adjacent course of the wall; and - +“ anumber of locating pins that are receivable in the socket formations that are in register and that are defined in adjacent sides of building blocks of a =~" adjacent courses of the wall, for locating the building blocks with respect . fie 2 to one another.

11. A building system as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the building blocks are equivalent to the building block as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8.

12. A new building block substantially as described in the specification.

13. A building block substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

14. A new method of constructing a wall of a structure, substantially as described in the specification.

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15. A method of constructing a wall of a structure, substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

16. A new building system substantially as described in the specification.

17. A building system substantially as described in the specification, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.