U.S. patent application number 10/223428 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for apparatus and system for constructing a vertical wall from interlocking blocks.
Invention is credited to Girard, Peter.
Application Number | 20040031221 10/223428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31715156 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040031221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Girard, Peter |
February 19, 2004 |
Apparatus and system for constructing a vertical wall from
interlocking blocks
Abstract
An apparatus and system for constructing a vertical wall
provides an overlapping arrangement secured by internally disposed
rods.
Inventors: |
Girard, Peter; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael R. McKenna
Suite 3800
500 West Madison
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
31715156 |
Appl. No.: |
10/223428 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/245 ;
52/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 1/395 20130101;
E04B 2002/0271 20130101; E04H 17/1404 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/245 ;
52/102 |
International
Class: |
E04G 011/04; E04B
001/32 |
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is as follows:
1. An interlocking block for constructing a vertical wall, the
interlocking block having a top surface and a bottom surface, a
front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second end, said
first end having a first tongue extending away from one of the
bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having a
first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in
operative association with the first medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, and said second end having
a second tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial
surface and second means for interlocking in operative association
with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, whereby, the first medial surface of a first
interlocking block can be joined in a face to face relationship
with the second medial surface of another interlocking block, and
the first means for interlocking can be operatively associated with
the second means for interlocking, to form at least a portion of a
tier of the vertical wall.
2. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the first means for
interlocking comprises a first passageway extending from the first
medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top
surface, and the second means for interlocking comprises a second
passageway extending from the second medial surface to the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface.
3. The interlocking block of claim 2, wherein each of the first
passageway and the second passageway is adapted for use in
receiving a rod.
4. The interlocking block of claim 2, wherein the first passageway
and the second passageway are collinear.
5. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface and
the bottom surface lie in parallel planes.
6. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface, the
bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial
surface lie in parallel planes.
7. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface and
the bottom surface lie in horizontal planes.
8. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface, the
bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial
surface lie in horizontal planes.
9. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
front face and the rear face have a textured appearance resembling
one of a plurality of stacked horizontally disposed stones,
timbers, boards, logs, and bricks.
10. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the interlocking
block is made of one of a molded plastic, including blow molded,
roto molded and injection molded.
11. A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of
interlocking blocks, the system comprising: i. a plurality of
interlocking blocks, each having a top surface and a bottom
surface, a front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second
end, the first end having a first tongue extending away from one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having a
first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in
operative association with the first medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second end having a
second tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial
surface and second means for interlocking in operative association
with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, ii. means for securing the first medial
surface of a first interlocking block in a face to face
relationship with the second medial surface of another interlocking
block, to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical
wall.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein a plurality of the at least a
portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at
least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the at least a portion
of the tier of the vertical wall has a first unjoined end and a
second unjoined end, the first unjoined end having a first tongue
extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface,
said first tongue having a first medial surface and a first means
for interlocking in operative association with the first medial
surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and
the second unjoined end having a second tongue extending away from
the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second
tongue having a second medial surface and second means for
interlocking in operative association with the second medial
surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,
whereby, the first medial surface of a first at least a portion of
the tier of the vertical wall can be joined in a face to face
relationship with the second medial surface of another at least a
portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for
interlocking can be operatively associated with the second means
for interlocking, to form at least an extended portion of a tier of
the vertical wall.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein a plurality of the at least an
extended portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to
form at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical
wall.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first means for
interlocking comprises a first passageway extending from the first
medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top
surface, and the second means for interlocking comprises a second
passageway extending from the second medial surface to the other of
the bottom surface and the top surface.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the first passageway
and the second passageway is adapted for use in receiving a
rod.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first passageway and the
second passageway are collinear.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for securing
comprises at least one rod, each of the at least one rod being
arranged in one of a series of the first passageway and the second
passageway that are collinearly disposed.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least an extended
portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall has an unjoined end edge
with at least one gap that is adjacent to each of the first medial
surface of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical
wall that is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the
second medial surface of another at least a portion of the tier of
the vertical wall, and further comprising at least one filler
section, each at least one filler section adapted for use in
filling one of the at least one gap, each at least one filler
section having a third passageway, each said at least one filler
section being disposed in one of the at least one gap, with the
third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship
with the first passageway and the second passageway, and wherein
each said at least one filler section that is disposed in one of
the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof being
disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway and
the second passageway, is secured in said one of the at least one
gap with the at least one rod disposed therein.
20. An interlocking block for constructing a vertical wall, the
interlocking block having a top surface and a bottom surface, a
front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second end, said
first end having a first tongue extending away from one of the
bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having a
first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in
operative association with the first medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, and said first end having a
primary tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, said primary tongue having a primary medial
surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association
with the primary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, said second end having a second tongue
extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top
surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and
second means for interlocking in operative association with the
second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the
top surface, and said second end having a secondary tongue
extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top
surface, said secondary tongue having a secondary medial surface
and second means for interlocking in operative association with the
secondary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and
the top surface, whereby, the first medial surface of a first
interlocking block can be joined in a face to face relationship
with the second medial surface of another interlocking block, and
the first means for interlocking can be operatively associated with
the second means for interlocking, to form at least a portion of a
tier of the vertical wall.
21. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the first means for
interlocking comprises a first passageway extending from the first
medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top
surface, and the second means for interlocking comprises a second
passageway extending from the second medial surface to the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface.
22. The interlocking block of claim 21, wherein each of the first
passageway and the second passageway is adapted for use in
receiving a rod.
23. The interlocking block of claim 21, wherein the first
passageway and the second passageway are collinear.
24. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface and
the bottom surface lie in parallel planes.
25. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface,
the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial
surface lie in parallel planes.
26. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface and
the bottom surface lie in horizontal planes.
27. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface,
the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial
surface lie in horizontal planes.
28. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein at least one of the
front face and the rear face have a textured appearance resembling
one of a plurality of stacked horizontally disposed stones,
timbers, boards, logs, and bricks.
29. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the interlocking
block is made of one of a molded plastic, including blow molded,
roto molded and injection molded.
30. A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of
interlocking blocks, the system comprising: a. a plurality of
interlocking blocks, each having a top surface and a bottom
surface, a front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second
end, said first end having a first tongue extending away from one
of the bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having
a first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in
operative association with the first medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, and said first end having a
primary tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, said primary tongue having a primary medial
surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association
with the primary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface
and the top surface, said second end having a second tongue
extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface,
said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means
for interlocking in operative association with the second medial
surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and
said second end having a secondary tongue extending away from the
other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said secondary
tongue having a secondary medial surface and second means for
interlocking in operative association with the secondary medial
surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, b.
means for connecting the first end of a first interlocking block to
the second end of another interlocking block, to form at least a
portion of a tier of the vertical wall.
31. The system of claim 30, wherein a. the first means for
interlocking comprises one of a first passageway extending from the
first medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top
surface, and a primary passageway extending from the primary medial
surface to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface; b.
the second means for interlocking comprises one of a second
passageway extending from the second medial surface to the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, and the secondary medial
surface to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface; and
c. the means for connecting comprises at least one rod and at least
one connecting block, said connecting block being elongated and
having two parallel holes extending transversely from an upper
surface to a lower surface and adapted to receive the rod, whereby,
a first end of the connecting block can be disposed between the
first tongue and the primary tongue and one of its two parallel
holes can be aligned with the first passageway and the primary
passageway to receive one of the at least one rod, and the other
end of the connecting block can be disposed between the second
tongue and the secondary tongue and the other of its two parallel
holes can be aligned with the second passageway and the secondary
passageway to receive another of the at least one rod.
32. The system of claim 30, wherein a plurality of the at least a
portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at
least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall.
33. The system of claim 30, wherein each of the at least a portion
of the tier of the vertical wall has a first unjoined end and a
second unjoined end, the first unjoined end having a first tongue
extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface,
said first tongue having a first medial surface and a first means
for interlocking in operative association with the first medial
surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and
the first unjoined end having a primary tongue extending away from
the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said primary
tongue having a primary medial surface and a first means for
interlocking in operative association with the primary medial
surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,
the second unjoined end having a second tongue extending away from
one of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue
having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in
operative association with the second medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, the second unjoined end
having a secondary tongue extending away from the other of the
bottom surface and the top surface, said secondary tongue having a
secondary medial surface and second means for interlocking in
operative association with the second medial surface and the other
of the bottom surface and the top surface, whereby, the first
unjoined end of a first at least a portion of the tier of the
vertical wall can be connected with the means for connecting to the
second unjoined end of another at least a portion of the tier of
the vertical wall, and the first means for interlocking can be
operatively associated with the second means for interlocking, to
form at least an extended portion of a tier of the vertical
wall.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein a plurality of the at least an
extended portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to
form at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall
which can be secured by the means for connecting.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein each of the first passageway
and the second passageway is adapted for use in receiving a
rod.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first passageway and the
second passageway are collinear.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the means for connecting
comprises at least one rod, each of the at least one rod being
arranged in one of a collinear series of the first passageway and
the second passageway.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein the at least an extended
portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall has an unjoined end edge
with at least one gap that is adjacent to each of the first medial
surface of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical
wall that is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the
second medial surface of another at least a portion of the tier of
the vertical wall, and further comprising at least one filler
section, each at least one filler section adapted for use in
filling one of the at least one gap, each at least one filler
section having a third passageway, each said at least one filler
section being disposed in one of the at least one gap, with the
third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship
with the first passageway and the second passageway, and wherein
each said at least one filler section that is disposed in one of
the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof being
disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway and
the second passageway, is secured in said one of the at least one
gap with the at least one rod disposed therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a system and apparatus for
constructing a vertical wall form a plurality of interlocking
blocks. Each block has a tongue extending from opposing ends which
can be mated with a tongue from another block. Each tongue has a
passageway for receiving a securing rod which joins horizontally
adjacent blocks to extend a tier of the wall and also to secure
stacked blocks to enhance height of the wall.
[0002] The instant invention requires only one configuration of
interlocking block for the construction of a vertical wall. In one
embodiment of the interlocking block, no additional corner
component is required and the invention teaches the use of
internally disposed passageways which can be aligned to receive a
securing rod which is not visible from outside of the vertical
wall.
[0003] Alternative technology is available in the form of a modular
wall panel system in which individual panels are constructed of a
lightweight aluminum frame. U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,960 issued in 1996
to Minnick et al. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,867 issued in 1971
to Shuey for a building block construction and assemblage discloses
an interconnecting member for masonry blocks.
[0004] Further, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,572 issued to Sugiyama in
1998 for a method for constructing an outdoor structure such as a
gate post, gate wing or fence discloses a fence system constructed
of artificial stones. And U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,918 issued to Hodel
in 1992 for a setback retaining wall and concrete block and offset
pin therefor. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,666 issued in 1998 to
Sherry for a thin masonry veneer panel system and the fabrication
thereof utilizing a set of preformed panels having interlocking
edges.
[0005] The principal disadvantage of such devices are their cost
and the need for framing devices. To alleviate this problem, and
others which will become apparent from the disclosure which
follows, the present invention conveniently allows a lightweight
blow molded plastic material, a roto molded, injection molded, or
the like to be erected by one individual, with all blocks being the
same and with an overlapping arrangement to securely maintain the
wall in place.
[0006] The citation of the foregoing publications is not an
admission that any particular publication constitutes prior art, or
that any publication alone or in conjunction with others, renders
unpatentable any pending claim of the present application. None of
the cited publications is believed to detract from the
patentability of the claimed invention.
ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION
[0007] Unlike the foregoing devices which teach complicated
structures that require rigid connecting posts, it will be apparent
that each embodiment of the instant invention utilizes only one
configuration of interlocking block. Thus, field construction of
the vertical wall will substantially result in one part
construction. Additionally, In the first embodiment of the
interlocking block, no extra corner component is required.
Moreover, both embodiment utilize internally disposed passageways
which can be aligned to receive a securing rod which is not visible
from outside of the vertical wall.
[0008] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0009] Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure
that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention relates to a system and apparatus for
constructing a vertical wall form a plurality of interlocking
blocks. Each block has a tongue extending from each end which can
be mated with a tongue from another block. Each tongue has a
passageway for receiving a securing rod which joins horizontally
adjacent blocks to extend a tier of the wall and also to secure
stacked blocks to enhance height of the wall.
[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form
the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in
the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out
the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an
interlocking block used for constructing a vertical wall;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevation view of a plurality of
interlocking blocks used for constructing a vertical wall;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of a vertical wall
made from a plurality of interconnected blocks showing various
connecting configurations;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a filler section showing
a third passageway disposed therein;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a filler section of FIG.
4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an end of a vertical wall
showing two filler sections disposed in a double gap of said end of
the wall;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of an interlocking block;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a connecting block used to connect adjoining ends
of two interlocking blocks as show in FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded isometric perspective view of
a vertical wall made from a plurality of interconnected blocks
showing various connecting configurations; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 10-10
of FIG. 9 showing the position of the connecting block disposed at
a corner of the vertical wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The preferred embodiments depicted in the drawing comprise
methods, systems and apparatus for constructing a vertical wall
from a plurality of interlocking blocks. Without departing from the
generality of the invention disclosed herein and without limiting
the scope of the invention, the discussion that follows, will refer
to the invention as depicted in the drawing.
[0024] The preferred embodiments of the apparatus depicted in the
drawing comprise an interlocking block 1 for constructing a
vertical wall is taught by the instant invention. The interlocking
block has a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face 14
and a rear face 16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3. The first
end 2 has a first tongue 2a extending away from one of the bottom
surface 12 and the top surface 10. The first tongue 2a has a first
medial surface 2b and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the first medial surface 2b and the one
of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The second end 3
has a second tongue 3a extending away from the other of the bottom
surface 12 and the top surface 10. The second tongue 3a has a
second medial surface 3b and second means for interlocking 3c in
operative association with the second medial surface 3b and the
other of the bottom surface and the top surface. Whereby, the first
medial surface 2b of a first interlocking block can be joined in a
face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3b of
another interlocking block, as shown in FIG. 2, and the first means
for interlocking 2c can be operatively associated with the second
means for interlocking 3c, to form at least a portion of a tier of
the vertical wall.
[0025] Preferably, the first means for interlocking 2c comprises a
first passageway 2d extending from the first medial surface 2b to
the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the
second means for interlocking 3c comprises a second passageway 3d
extending from the second medial surface 3b to the one of the
bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. Moreover, each of the
first passageway 2d and the second passageway 3d can be adapted for
use in receiving a rod 4.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the first passageway 2d of a first
interlocking block and the second passageway 3d of a second
interlocking block can be arranged collinearly. Since the
interlocking blocks are stacked, it is preferably that the top
surface 10 and the bottom surface 12 lie in parallel planes.
Preferably, the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial
surface and the second medial surface lie in parallel planes. For
constructing vertical walls having the top surface and the bottom
surface lie in horizontal planes, albeit having the top surface,
the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial
surface lie in horizontal planes is preferred.
[0027] For the vertical wall to appear to be an assemblage of
stacked stones, at least one of the front face 14 and the rear face
16 should have a textured appearance resembling one of a plurality
of stacked horizontally disposed stones, timbers, boards, logs, and
bricks, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. This is quite remarkable
considering that a desired method of making the interlocking blocks
is from a blow molded plastic. One of a molded plastic, including
blow molded, roto molded and injection molded would be
preferred.
[0028] A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of
interlocking blocks 1 is taught by this invention. The system
comprises a plurality of interlocking blocks with each having a top
surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face 14 and a rear face
16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3. In a first preferred
system, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the first end 2 has a first tongue
2a extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top
surface. The first tongue 2a has a first medial surface 2b and a
first means for interlocking 2c in operative association with the
first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top
surface. The second end 3 has a second tongue 3a extending away
from the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The
second tongue 3a has a second medial surface 3b and second means
for interlocking 3c in operative association with the second medial
surface 3b and the other of the bottom surface and the top
surface.
[0029] Means for securing the first medial surface 2b of a first
interlocking block in a face to face relationship with the second
medial surface 3b of another interlocking block are further
provided in the system to form at least a portion of a tier of the
vertical wall. A plurality of the at least a portion of the tier of
the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least a portion of a
multi-tiered vertical wall, as shown in the top half of FIG. 2.
[0030] Each of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical
wall has a first unjoined end 5 and a second unjoined end 6. The
first unjoined end 5 has a first tongue 2a extending away from one
of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue has a
first medial surface 2b and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the first medial surface 2b and the one
of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the second
unjoined end 6 has a second tongue 3a extending away from the other
of the bottom surface and the top surface, the second tongue has a
second medial surface 3b and second means for interlocking 3c in
operative association with the second medial surface 3b and the
other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. In this way,
the first medial surface 2a of a first at least a portion of the
tier of the vertical wall can be joined in a face to face
relationship with the second medial surface 3a of another at least
a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for
interlocking 2c can be operatively associated with the second means
for interlocking 3c, to form at least an extended portion of a tier
of the vertical wall. Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 3, a plurality
of the at least an extended portion of the tier of the vertical
wall can be stacked to form at least an extended portion of a
multi-tiered vertical wall.
[0031] FIGS. 2 and 3 both show the first means for interlocking 2c
comprises a first passageway 2d extending from the first medial
surface 2b to the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface
10, and the second means for interlocking 3c comprises a second
passageway 3d extending from the second medial surface 3b to the
other of the bottom surface and the top surface. Each of the first
passageway 2d and the second passageway 3d is adapted for use in
receiving a rod 4, as the first passageway and the second
passageway are preferably collinear.
[0032] The means for securing comprises at least one rod 4, each of
the at least one rod being arranged in one of a series of the first
passageway 2d and the second passageway 3d that are collinearly
disposed.
[0033] The at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical
wall has an unjoined end edge 7 with at least one gap 8 that is
adjacent to each of the first medial surface 2b of a first at least
a portion of the tier of the vertical wall that is unjoined in a
face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3b of
another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and
further comprising at least one filler section 9, as shown in FIG.
6. Each at least one filler section 9 is adapted for use in filling
one of the at least one gap 8. Each at least one filler section 9
has a third passageway 18, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0034] Each the at least one filler section 9 being disposed in one
of the at least one gap 8, with the third passageway 18 thereof
being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first
passageway 2d and the second passageway 3d, and each the at least
one filler section 9 that can be disposed in one of the at least
one gap 8, with the third passageway 18 thereof being disposed in a
collinear relationship with the first passageway 2d and the second
passageway 3d. This arrangement is secured in the one of the at
least one gap 10 with the at least one rod 4 disposed therein.
[0035] Another preferred embodiment of the interlocking block for
constructing a vertical wall is shown in FIG. 7. The interlocking
block 1 has a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face
14 and a rear face 16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3. The
first end 2 has a first tongue 2a extending away from one of the
bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue has a first
medial surface 2b and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the first medial surface 2b and the one
of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first end 2 has a
primary tongue 20 extending away from the other of the bottom
surface 12 and the top surface 10, the primary tongue 20 has a
primary medial surface 22 and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the primary medial surface 22 and the
other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
[0036] The second end 3 has a second tongue 3a extending away from
the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the second
tongue 3a has a second medial surface 3b and second means for
interlocking 3c in operative association with the second medial
surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
The second end 3 has a secondary tongue 24 extending away from the
other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the secondary
tongue has a secondary medial surface 24 and second means for
interlocking 3c in operative association with the secondary medial
surface 26 and the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top
surface 10. The first medial surface 2b of a first interlocking
block can be joined in a face to face relationship with the second
medial surface 3b of another interlocking block, and the first
means for interlocking 2c can be operatively associated with the
second means for interlocking 3c, to form at least a portion of a
tier of the vertical wall.
[0037] The first means for interlocking 2c comprises a first
passageway 2d extending from the first medial surface 2b to the one
of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the second
means for interlocking 3c comprises a second passageway 3c
extending from the second medial surface 3b to the one of the
bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10.
[0038] Each of the first passageway 2d and the second passageway 3d
is adapted for use in receiving a rod 4. The first passageway and
the second passageway are collinear. As with the first embodiment,
the top surface 10 and the bottom surface 12 preferably lie in
parallel planes. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the top surface, the
bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial
surface lie in parallel planes, which as shown lie in horizontal
planes. Additionally, the first medial surface 2b and the second
medial surface 3b lie in horizontal planes.
[0039] Again, to represent a plurality of stacked horizontally
disposed stones, timbers, boards, logs, or bricks, at least one of
the front face 14 and the rear face 16 have a textured
appearance.
[0040] A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of
interlocking blocks of this other embodiment comprises a plurality
of interlocking blocks 1, each block having a top surface 10 and a
bottom surface 12, a front face 14 and a rear face 16, and a first
end 2 and a second end 3, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0041] The first end 2 has a first tongue 2a extending away from
one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue has
a first medial surface 2b and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the first medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface. The first end 2 also has a
primary tongue 20 extending away from the other of the bottom
surface and the top surface, the primary tongue has a primary
medial surface 22 and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the primary medial surface and the other
of the bottom surface and the top surface.
[0042] The second end 3 has a second tongue 24 extending away from
one of the bottom surface and the top surface, the second tongue
has a second medial surface 3b and second means for interlocking 3c
in operative association with the second medial surface and the one
of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second end has a
secondary tongue 24 extending away from the other of the bottom
surface and the top surface, the secondary tongue has a secondary
medial surface 26 and second means for interlocking 3c in operative
association with the secondary medial surface and the other of the
bottom surface and the top surface. Means for connecting the first
end of a first interlocking block to the second end of another
interlocking block are further provided to form at least a portion
of a tier of the vertical wall.
[0043] Preferably, the first means for interlocking 2c comprises
one of a first passageway 2d extending from the first medial
surface 2b to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface,
and a primary passageway 36 extending from the primary medial
surface 22 to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
The second means for interlocking 3c comprises one of a second
passageway 3d extending from the second medial surface 3b to the
one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the secondary
medial surface 26 to the other of the bottom surface and the top
surface. The means for connecting comprises at least one rod 4 and
at least one connecting block 28, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 8,
respectively.
[0044] The connecting block 28 is elongated and has two parallel
holes 30 extending transversely from an upper surface 28a to a
lower surface 28b and adapted to receive the rod 4. A first end 32
of the connecting block 28 can be disposed between the first tongue
2a and the primary tongue 20 and one of its two parallel holes 30
can be aligned with the first passageway 2d and the primary
passageway 36 to receive one of the at least one rod, and the other
end of the connecting block can be disposed between the second
tongue 3a and the secondary tongue 24 and the other of its two
parallel holes 30 can be aligned with the second passageway 3d and
the secondary passageway 38 to receive another of the at least one
rod 4.
[0045] As best shown in FIG. 9, the system may include a plurality
of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be
stacked to form at least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical
wall.
[0046] Each of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical
wall has a first unjoined end and a second unjoined end. The first
unjoined end has a first tongue 2a extending away from one of the
bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The first tongue has a
first medial surface 2b and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the first medial surface and the one of
the bottom surface and the top surface, and the first unjoined end
has a primary tongue 20 extending away from the other of the bottom
surface and the top surface. The primary tongue has a primary
medial surface 22 and a first means for interlocking 2c in
operative association with the primary medial surface and the other
of the bottom surface and the top surface.
[0047] The second unjoined end has a second tongue extending away
from one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The second
tongue 3a has a second medial surface 3b and second means for
interlocking 3c in operative association with the second medial
surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The
second unjoined end has a secondary tongue 24 extending away from
the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the secondary
tongue has a secondary medial surface 26 and second means for
interlocking 3c in operative association with the second medial
surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
This allows the first unjoined end of a first at least a portion of
the tier of the vertical wall to be connected with the means for
connecting to the second unjoined end of another at least a portion
of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for
interlocking can be operatively associated with the second means
for interlocking, to form at least an extended portion of a tier of
the vertical wall.
[0048] Moreover, a plurality of the at least an extended portion of
the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least an
extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall which can be
secured by the means for connecting. As shown in FIG. 9, each of
the first passageway 2d and the second passageway 3d is adapted for
use in receiving a rod 4. The first passageway and the second
passageway are collinear. And the means for connecting may comprise
at least one rod, with each of the at least one rod being arranged
in one of a collinear series of the first passageway and the second
passageway.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, the at least an extended portion of a
multi-tiered vertical wall has an unjoined end edge 7 with at least
one gap 8 that is adjacent to each of the first medial surface 2b
of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall that
is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the second medial
surface 3b of another at least a portion of the tier of the
vertical wall, and further comprising at least one filler section
9. Each at least one filler section adapted for use in filling one
of the at least one gap. Each at least one filler section 9 has a
third passageway 18, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each the at least
one filler section can be disposed in one of the at least one gap,
with the third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear
relationship with the first passageway and the second passageway.
Moreover, each the at least one filler section that is disposed in
one of the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof
being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first
passageway and the second passageway, is secured in the one of the
at least one gap with the at least one rod disposed therein.
[0050] While this invention has been described in connection with
the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying
out his invention, the preferred embodiments described and shown
are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed
as constituting any limitations of the invention. Modifications
will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and all modifications
that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to
be included within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this
disclosure is base, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out
the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and
scop of the present invention.
[0051] My invention resides not in any one of these features per
se, but rather in the particular combinations of some or all of
them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the
prior art in these particular combinations of some or all of its
structures for the functions specified.
[0052] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0053] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *