U.S. patent application number 11/364461 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for building blocks with integrated assembling design.
Invention is credited to Louis Gagne.
Application Number | 20070204548 11/364461 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470256 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070204548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gagne; Louis |
September 6, 2007 |
Building blocks with integrated assembling design
Abstract
A new building material made of chopped straw, cement, mortar
cement or lime combined together with a bonding agent is pressed
into building blocks of different sizes and shapes. The blocks come
in different sizes and shapes to serve different building needs
and/or to fit an integrated assembly system. The blocks are
interlocked or fitted to correspond to specific requirements.
Depending on the proportions of the elements and the pressure
exercised to make the blocks, the density can be controlled to
increase either the insulation value or the structural value. The
grooves, which are part of the interlocking system, can also be
filled with concrete either vertically or horizontally or both to
create a stronger structure calibrated according to additional
structural needs. The resulting concrete structure can also be
reinforced with steel rod to further increase its strength. This
building material is highly adaptable and environmentally
friendly.
Inventors: |
Gagne; Louis; (Masham,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Louis Gagne
P. O. Box 113 - 509, chemin Parent
Masham
QC
J0X 2W0
CA
|
Family ID: |
38470256 |
Appl. No.: |
11/364461 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/604 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/0206 20130101;
E04B 2/06 20130101; E04B 2/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/604 |
International
Class: |
E04B 5/04 20060101
E04B005/04 |
Claims
1. A building material for the construction of building blocks, the
building material comprising: chopped straw; Portland cement;
mortar cement or lime; and a bonding agent comprising a polymer
emulsion, wherein the straw comprises the hulk of the volume of the
building material.
2. A building material as claimed in claim 1, wherein the straw is
chopped in lengths substantially between 50 mm and 100 mm.
3. A building material as claimed in claim 2, wherein the straw
comprises cereal straw.
4. A building material as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cereal
straw is selected from the group of wheat, rye, barley, oats and
rice.
5. A building material as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bonding
agent further comprises at least one of: mortar cement and
lime.
6. A building block formed of the building material as claimed in
claim 1, the building block having a generally solid rectangular
exterior configuration.
7. A building block as claimed in claim 6, the building block
comprising: a front face; a rear face opposite the front face; a
top surface adjacent to the front face arid the rear face, the top
surface having a horizontal groove substantially parallel to the
front face; a bottom surface adjacent to the front face and the
rear face, and opposite the top surface; a first end face adjacent
to: the front face; the rear face; the top surface; and the bottom
surface, the first end face having a vertical groove substantially
parallel to the front face; and a second end face adjacent to: the
front face; the rear face; the top surface; and the bottom surface,
the second end facing being opposite the first end face.
8. A building block as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second end
face has a vertical groove, substantially parallel to the front
face.
9. A building block as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second end
face has a vertical tongue, substantially parallel to the front
face, the vertical tongue configured to mate with a corresponding
vertical groove of an adjacent similar building block.
10. A building block as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bottom
surface is substantially flat.
11. A building block as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bottom
surface has a horizontal tongue substantially parallel to the front
face, the horizontal tongue configured to mate with a corresponding
horizontal groove of an adjacent similar building block below.
12. A building block system comprising a plurality of building
blocks of claim 7, the building blocks selected from one or more
of: a first block having a horizontal groove on a top surface, a
flat bottom surface, a first end face having a vertical groove and
a second end face having a vertical groove; a second block having a
horizontal groove on a top surface, a flat bottom surface, a first
end face having a vertical groove and a second end face having a
vertical tongue; a third block having a horizontal groove on a top
surface, a horizontal tongue on a bottom surface, a first end face
having a vertical groove and a second end face having a vertical
groove; a fourth block having a horizontal groove on a top surface,
a horizontal tongue on a bottom surface, a first end face having a
vertical groove and a second end face having a vertical tongue, the
system permitting building of a wall by stacking courses of blocks
selected from the first block, second block, third block and fourth
block such that blocks can be selected to mate vertical tongues
with corresponding vertical grooves or to arrange facing vertical
grooves of adjacent blocks to allow for filling the resulting
cavity with reinforcing concrete, as required.
13. A building block system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
blocks can be selected to mate horizontal tongues of blocks in a
second course with corresponding horizontal grooves of blocks in a
first course or to allow filling the continuous horizontal groove
formed by the horizontal grooves of adjacent blocks in the first
course with reinforcing concrete and subsequently stacking a second
course of blocks with flat bottom surfaces, as required.
14. A method of constructing a wall of a plurality of courses of
building blocks of claim 7, the blocks selected from a set of
blocks wherein: a fit block has a horizontal groove on a top
surface, a flat bottom surface, a first end face having a vertical
groove and a second end face having a vertical groove; a second
block has a horizontal groove on a top surface, a flat bottom
surface, a first end face having a vertical groove and a second end
face having a vertical tongue; a third block has a horizontal
groove on a top surface, a horizontal tongue on a bottom surface, a
first end face having a vertical groove and a second end face
having a vertical groove; a fourth block has a horizontal groove on
a top surface, a horizontal tongue on a bottom surface, a first end
face having a vertical groove and a second end face having a
vertical tongue, the method comprising steps of: laying a first
course of blocks having a flat bottom surface, end-to-end such that
where a reinforcing column is not required, adjacent blocks arm
selected to mate a vertical groove of one block with a
corresponding vertical tongue of an adjacent block; or where a
reinforcing column is required, adjacent blocks are selected to
present facing vertical grooves to form a vertical cavity between
the adjacent blocks; filling any vertical cavity in the first
course with reinforcing concrete; where horizontal reinforcement is
not required, laying a subsequent course of blocks having
horizontal tongues to mate with the horizontal grooves of the
preceding course below; or where horizontal reinforcement is
required, filling we continuous horizontal groove formed by the
horizontal grooves of adjacent blocks of the preceding course below
with reinforcing concrete and laying a subsequent course of blocks
with flat bottom surfaces, end to end; and filling any vertical
cavities in the subsequent course with reinforcing concrete.
15. A method of constructing a wall as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising a step of gluing adjacent blocks together with a mortar
slurry.
16. A method of constructing a wail as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising a step of gluing adjacent blocks together with
grout.
17. A method of constructing a wall as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the vertical spaces of each course align with the vertical spaces
of the preceding course below.
18. A method of constructing a wall as claimed in claim 17, further
comprising a step of placing reinforcing rods in reinforcing
concrete in the aligned vertical spaces.
19. A method of constructing a wall as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising a step of placing reinforcing rods in the reinforcing
concrete in the continuous horizontal groove.
20. A method of constructing a wall as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising a step of applying a finish coat directly to the wall,
the finish coat selected from the group of mortar, stucco and
plaster.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention is related to the field of building
construction and more specifically to a new building material and
building blocks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In 1981, Louis Gagne built his first straw bales and mortar
house. The objective was an affordable house which was well
insulated, structurally sound, simple and easy to build. Louis
Gagne received a CMHC grant to test this wall system, and published
the results in the following report: GAGE, Louis, A Straw Bales And
Mortar House Demonstration Project, CMHC, Ottawa, Canada, 1986.
This report reveals the exceptional fire resistance, the structural
soundness and the insulation value of this straw bales and mortar
building method. It is generally known that straw is a hollow stem
derived from agriculturally produced cereals, which is
traditionally used for bedding in stables, thatching, stuffing,
insulating, etc. Furthermore, straw is commonly available in the
form of bales. In the following years, Louis Gagne went on building
with straw bales, using concrete for the structure instead of
mortar, perfecting the techniques used to erect the walls, refining
the process and the results. In spite of these improvements,
building with straw bales and concrete remains a method with
limited commercial value, because it is a labour intensive process
where individuals build singles houses, and where standards are
hard to define since the bales from the field escape control as to
size and density.
[0003] In the last few years, Louis Gagne stopped building with
straw bales and concrete because the development of this building
approach seems to have reached its full potential.
[0004] Accordingly, an improved building material and building
method is highly desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a building
material made of chopped straw mixed with Portland cement, mortar
cement or lime and a polymer emulsion diluted in water which acts
as the bonding agent.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, the resulting
material is compressed into blocks of different sizes and
shapes.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, the proportion
and the combination of the elements (chopped straw, Portland
cement, mortar cement or lime and polymer emulsion diluted in
water) as well as the pressure exerted to make the blocks, can be
modified to increase or decrease the density of the blocks.
[0008] In still another aspect of the present invention, the
chopped straw (mainly cereal straw such as wheat, rye, barley, oats
and rice where available) of ideal lengths comprise between 5 cm
and 10 cm substantially (the straw lengths can be shorter or
longer) is the filler element and represents the bulk of the
block's volume. The cement surrounding each piece of straw gives it
rigidity and strength. The gluing factor and the adherence of the
cement to the pieces of straw is provided by a polymer emulsion
diluted and water.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the present invention, this
solution can be also mixed with mortar cement or lime or both in
order to provide a better adherence of the cement to the pieces of
straw.
[0010] In still another aspect of the present invention, while
straw constitute the bulk of the volume of the building material,
the proportion of straw, Portland cement, mortar cement or lime and
the polymer emulsion diluted in water is one of the factors which
determine the density of the blocks. Therefore, if the amount of
cement is augmented in the mix, the density of the block will
increase, and hence its structural value will also be increased. If
the mix is made to be lighter by increasing the proportion of straw
and using less cement, the blocks will have less structural value
but a higher insulating value.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the density of
the blocks will vary with the compression force used to make the
blocks. Increasing the pressure to form a block will increase its
density and its structural value. Diminishing the pressure to form
a block will reduce its structural value while increasing its
insulating factor.
[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the sizes of the
blocks can be changed to suit different building needs. If the
width of the block is increased, the structural value and the
insulating factor are increased, and a larger volume of concrete
could also be poured to increase the structural strength of the
wall. If the length and the height of the block is increased it
will take less time and fewer blocks to build a wall.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the shapes of
the blocks are designed to fit together as a four interlocking
blocks system, in which a first block is shaped with a horizontal
groove on top, a flat bottom, a vertical groove on one side and a
vertical tongue on the opposite side; a second block shaped with an
horizontal groove on top, a flat bottom and a vertical groove on
each side; a third block shaped with an horizontal groove on top,
an horizontal tongue on the bottom, a vertical groove on one side
and a vertical tongue on the opposite side; and a fourth block
shaped with an horizontal groove on top, an horizontal tongue on
the bottom and a vertical groove on each side are used either to
build a wall directly by interlocking the blocks together or to
build a wall with a concrete structure by setting together the
vertical and horizontal grooves at chosen intervals which can be
filled with concrete that can be reinforced or not with steel
rods.
[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the surfaces of
the wall can be finished by applying directly coats of mortar,
stucco or plaster on those surfaces depending on the building
requirements.
[0015] One broad aspect of the present invention provides a
building material for the construction of building blocks, the
building material comprising: chopped straw; Portland cement;
mortar cement or lime; and a bonding agent comprising a polymer
emulsion, wherein the straw is chopped in lengths substantially
between 50 mm and 100 mm.
[0016] In some embodiments, the straw comprises the bulk of the
volume of the building material.
[0017] In some embodiments, the straw comprises cereal straw.
[0018] In some embodiments, the cereal straw is selected from the
group of wheat, rye, barley, oats and rice.
[0019] In some embodiments, the bonding agent further comprises at
least one of: mortar cement and lime.
[0020] Other embodiments provide a building block formed of the
building material, the building block having a generally solid
rectangular exterior configuration.
[0021] In other embodiments the building block comprises a front
face; a rear face opposite the front face; a top surface adjacent
to the front face and the rear face, the top surface having a
horizontal groove substantially parallel to the front face; a
bottom surface adjacent to the front face and the rear face, and
opposite the top surface; a first end face adjacent to: the front
face; the rear face; the top surface; and the bottom surface, the
first end face having a vertical groove substantially parallel to
the front face; and a second end face adjacent to: the front face;
the rear face; the top surface; and the bottom surface, the second
end facing being opposite the first end face.
[0022] In some embodiments, the second end face has a vertical
groove, substantially parallel to the front face.
[0023] In other embodiments, the second end face has a vertical
tongue, substantially parallel to the front face, the vertical
tongue configured to mate with a corresponding vertical groove of
an adjacent similar building block.
[0024] In some embodiments, the bottom surface is substantially
flat.
[0025] In other embodiments, the bottom surface has a horizontal
tongue substantially parallel to the front face, the horizontal
tongue configured to mate with a corresponding horizontal groove of
an adjacent similar building block below.
[0026] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a
building block system comprising a plurality of building blocks,
the building blocks selected from one or more of: a first block
having a horizontal groove on a top surface, a flat bottom surface,
a first end face having a vertical groove and a second end face
having a vertical groove; a second block having a horizontal groove
on a top surface, a flat bottom surface, a first end face having a
vertical groove and a second end face having a vertical tongue; a
third block having a horizontal groove on a top surface, a
horizontal tongue on a bottom surface, a first end face having a
vertical groove and a second end face having a vertical groove; a
fourth block having a horizontal groove on a top surface, a
horizontal tongue on a bottom surface, a first end face having a
vertical groove and a second end face having a vertical tongue, the
system permitting building of a wall by stacking courses of blocks
selected from the first block, second block, third block and fourth
block such that blocks can be selected to mate vertical tongues
with corresponding vertical grooves or to arrange facing vertical
grooves of adjacent blocks to allow for filling the resulting
vertical cavity with reinforcing concrete, as required.
[0027] In some embodiments the blocks can be selected to mate
horizontal tongues of blocks in a second course with corresponding
horizontal grooves of blocks in a first course or to allow filling
the continuous horizontal groove formed by the horizontal grooves
of adjacent blocks in the first course with reinforcing concrete,
and subsequently stacking a second course of blocks with flat
bottom surfaces, as required.
[0028] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a method of
constructing a wall of a plurality of courses of building blocks,
the blocks selected from a set of blocks wherein: a first block has
a horizontal groove on a top surface, a flat bottom surface, a
first end face having a vertical groove and a second end face
having a vertical groove; a second block has a horizontal groove on
a top surface, a flat bottom surface, a first end face having a
vertical groove and a second end face having a vertical tongue; a
third block has a horizontal groove on a top surface, a horizontal
tongue on a bottom surface, a first end face having a vertical
groove and a second end face having a vertical groove; a fourth
block has a horizontal groove on a top surface, a horizontal tongue
on a bottom surface, a first end face having a vertical groove and
a second end face having a vertical tongue, the method comprising
steps of: laying a first course of blocks having a flat bottom
surface, end-to-end such that where a reinforcing column is not
required, adjacent blocks are selected to mate a vertical groove of
one block with a corresponding vertical tongue of an adjacent
block; or where a reinforcing column is required, adjacent blocks
are selected to present facing vertical grooves to form a vertical
cavity between the adjacent blocks; filling any vertical cavities
in the first course with reinforcing concrete; where horizontal
reinforcement is not required, laying a subsequent course of blocks
having horizontal tongues to mate with the horizontal grooves of
the preceding course below; or where horizontal reinforcement is
required, filling the continuous horizontal groove formed by the
horizontal grooves of adjacent blocks of the preceding course below
with reinforcing concrete and laying a subsequent course of blocks
with flat bottom surfaces, end to end; and filling any vertical
cavities in the subsequent course with reinforcing concrete.
[0029] Some embodiments further comprise a step of gluing adjacent
blocks together with a mortar slurry.
[0030] Other embodiments further comprise a step of gluing adjacent
blocks together with grout.
[0031] In some embodiments the vertical spaces of each course align
with the vertical spaces of the preceding course below.
[0032] Some embodiments further comprise a step of placing
reinforcing rods in reinforcing concrete in the aligned vertical
cavities.
[0033] Some embodiments further comprising a step of placing
reinforcing rods in the reinforcing concrete in the continuous
horizontal groove.
[0034] Other embodiments of the present invention further comprise
a step of applying a finish coat directly to the wall, the finish
coat selected from the group of mortar, stucco and plaster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a first
block of the present invention,
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a second
block of the present invention,
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a first and second block
interlocked together horizontally in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention,
[0039] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a third
block of the present invention,
[0040] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fourth
block of the present invention,
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of third and fourth block
interlocked together horizontally in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention,
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a fourth block
interlocked vertically with a preceding course of second blocks in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a step of method to build a reinforced
wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein a first course of blocks is laid with resulting vertical
channels,
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates a step of method to build a reinforced
wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the vertical channels are filled with concrete,
[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates a step of method to build a reinforced
wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the continuous horizontal groove formed by the horizontal
grooves of adjacent blocks in the first course are filled with
reinforcing concrete,
[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates a step of method to build a reinforced
wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein a second course of blocks is laid, in alignment with the
preceding course of blocks,
[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates a step of method to build a reinforced
wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein an additional block is laid on the second course,
[0048] FIG. 13 illustrates a step of method to build a reinforced
wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
wherein the vertical channels and the continuous horizontal groove
of the second course is filled with concrete,
[0049] FIG. 14 illustrates a step of method to build a partially
reinforced wall using a combination of blocks in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first course of
blocks is laid,
[0050] FIG. 15 illustrates a step of method to build a partially
reinforced wall using a combination of blocks in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein a vertical channel is
filled with concrete,
[0051] FIG. 16 illustrates a step of method to build a partially
reinforced wall using a combination of blocks in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein a second course of
blocks is laid, interlocking with the preceding course,
[0052] FIG. 17 illustrates a step of method to build a partially
reinforced wall using a combination of blocks in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein an additional block is
laid on the second course, defining a vertical space,
[0053] FIG. 18 illustrates a step of method to build a partially
reinforced wall using a combination of blocks in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the vertical channel
is filled with concrete, and
[0054] FIG. 19 illustrates a step of method to build a partially
reinforced wall using a combination of blocks in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the continuous
horizontal groove of the second course is filled with concrete.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] The building material is made of straw chopped in lengths of
between 5 cm and 10 cm substantially (These are ideal lengths but
it can be shorter or longer.) mixed with Portland cement, mortar
cement or lime and a polymer emulsion diluted in water which acts
as a bonding agent. These different ingredients are well mixed
together and then pressed into blocks of different sizes and
shapes. The density of the blocks depends on the proportions by
which the different ingredients are combined together as well as on
the pressure exerted to compress the blocks. The density of the
blocks also determines the structural value and the insulation
value. Increased density provides more structural value while
decreased density provides more insulation value.
[0056] The blocks are fabricated in four different shapes that can
be used in a building system and method to be either stacked and
interlocked or assembled to allow for concrete structural
reinforcement.
[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, there are four
different shapes of blocks. As shown in FIG. 1, a first block 1 has
a horizontal groove 5 on a top surface, a flat bottom 6 and a
vertical groove 7 on each end face. As shown in FIG. 2 a second
block 2 has a horizontal groove 5 on a top surface, a flat bottom
6, a vertical groove 7 on a first end face and a vertical tongue 8
on a second end face.
[0058] FIG. 3 shows how block 2 and block 1 are interlocked
together at 10 with respective vertical tongue and groove and how
the two aligned blocks produce a continuous horizontal groove 13 on
top and a vertical groove 7 on each external end face.
[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a third block 3 which has a horizontal
groove 5 on the top surface, a horizontal tongue 11 on the bottom
surface and a vertical groove 7 on each end face.
[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth block 4 which has a horizontal
groove 5 on the top surface, a horizontal tongue 11 on the bottom
surface, a vertical groove 7 on a first end face and a vertical
tongue 8 on a second end face.
[0061] FIG. 6 shows how block 4 and block 3 are interlocked
together at 10 with respective vertical tongue and groove and how
the two aligned blocks produce a continuous horizontal groove 13 on
top, a continuous tongue 14 on the bottom and a vertical groove 7
on each external end face.
[0062] FIG. 7 shows how block 4 interlocks horizontally at 11 by
overlapping the top of the vertical interlock junction 10 (shown in
FIG. 6) between the two blocks 2 of the preceding. The present
invention provides the possibility to build a wall by using a
combination of blocks 2 to start the base course of the wall and
then blocks 4 to lay additional courses to the wall by interlocking
the horizontal bottom tongue 14 (shown in FIG. 6) of a block 4 with
the horizontal top continuous groove 13 (shown in FIG. 6) of the
preceding row of blocks. The blocks are interlocked vertically 10
by assembling the vertical tongue 8 of a block 2 or 4 with the
vertical groove 7 of a following block 2 or 4. The blocks are set
in place with a fluid mortar or grout, and even if not necessary,
it is better to overlap a block 4 on top of the mid vertical
interlocking junction 10 between two blocks of a preceding row of
blocks 2 or 4.
[0063] FIG. 8 to 13 illustrate a method of building a reinforcing
concrete structure around each block which permits building a wall
with an aligned concrete structure between each vertical row of
blocks and a horizontal concrete structure between each horizontal
row of blocks. Referring to FIG. 8, in a first step of the method,
a course of flat bottom blocks 1 are laid end-to-end to create
vertical cavities 12, a continuous horizontal groove 13 and
vertical grooves 7 on the external end faces. The vertical cavities
12 of FIG. 8 are then filled with concrete 15 as shown in FIG. 9.
The continuous horizontal groove 13 and the vertical grooves 7 are
filled with concrete 15 as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows how a
second course of flat bottom blocks 1 is set on top of the
concrete-filled course shown in FIG. 10. Even if not necessary, it
is better to glue the blocks together with a fluid mortar or a
grout. FIG. 12 shows the second course of blocks 1 with the
continuous horizontal groove 13, the vertical cavities 12 and the
vertical grooves 7. FIG. 13 shows the concrete 15 filling all the
grooves and cavities shown in FIG. 12.
[0064] The flexibility to the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 14 to 19 which show how, by selecting between blocks 2 and
blocks 1 and between blocks 4 and blocks 3, render it possible to
create at any interval, either vertically or horizontally, a
concrete reinforcing structure in a wall. FIG. 14 shows how the
vertical tongue of a block 2 is interlocked at 10 with the vertical
groove of a block 1 (or block 2) where no vertical reinforcing
structure is required and when a vertical reinforcing structure is
required then the second groove of the block 1 is positioned
adjacent to the groove of a following block 2 to create a vertical
cavity 12. As can be seen from FIG. 14, one can assemble as many
blocks 2 or 4 as needed structurally before inserting a block 1 or
3 to create a cavity 12 which can be filled with concrete 15 as
shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 16, if no horizontal reinforcing
structure is required, a subsequent course of blocks 4 and 3 is
horizontally interlocked at 14 with the horizontal groove of the
preceding course. As can be seen from FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, one can
assemble as many rows of horizontally interlocking blocks as
needed, and where horizontal concrete reinforcement is required
structurally, the continuous horizontal groove 13 shown in FIG. 18
is filled with concrete 15 as shown in FIG. 19. The building
versatility provided by the shapes of the four-block system of the
present invention provides the ability to adjust the structural
capacity of a wall to correspond to specific load bearing needs.
With the integrated interlocking block system of this invention a
wall can be assembled by using blocks 2 and 4 glued together with a
fluid mortar or grout, or a wall can be assembled with a concrete
structure between each vertical row and each horizontal row of
blocks by using blocks 1 only, or the vertical and horizontal
concrete reinforcing structure can be introduced at any interval
needed when assembling the wall, by using a combination of blocks
1, 2, 3 and 4. Steel rods can be used to reinforce the vertical or
horizontal concrete structure as required. Once the wall is raised,
it can be finished with a few coats of mortar or a coat of mortar
and a coat of stucco on the outside, and the wall can be finished
on the inside with a coat of mortar and coat of plaster.
[0065] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is
therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *