U.S. patent number 3,643,392 [Application Number 05/006,485] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-22 for building block and structure made therewith.
Invention is credited to Charles Martinez.
United States Patent |
3,643,392 |
Martinez |
February 22, 1972 |
BUILDING BLOCK AND STRUCTURE MADE THEREWITH
Abstract
A building block which is adapted to be employed in the
formation of walls and the like of a building structure and which
is so shaped as to interlock with one another to enable the same to
be employed in this environment without the use of any adhesive or
mortar but relying on the forces of gravity to retain the blocks in
their assembled elation to one another.
Inventors: |
Martinez; Charles (Woldorf,
MD) |
Family
ID: |
21721127 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/006,485 |
Filed: |
January 28, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/262; D25/117;
52/609; 52/282.3; 52/592.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
2/18 (20130101); E04B 2002/0213 (20130101); E04B
2002/023 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
2/14 (20060101); E04B 2/18 (20060101); E04B
2/02 (20060101); E04c 001/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/591,594,590,282,286,245,92,436,609,262,90-92 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
9,503 |
|
Oct 1902 |
|
OE |
|
557,823 |
|
May 1923 |
|
FR |
|
1,145,789 |
|
May 1957 |
|
FR |
|
35,180 |
|
Apr 1886 |
|
DD |
|
Primary Examiner: Perham; Alfred C.
Claims
What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:
1. A construction element comprising a modular unit of
parallelogram configuration, said unit including a top surface
having a relatively wide projection at one end of the unit, a
narrow projection at the opposite end of said unit with a narrow
recess extending between said projections, the bottom surface of
said unit having a pair of narrow projections at both ends of the
unit with a relatively wide recessed area therebetween, the end
walls of said unit adapted to extend on a true vertical line when
said unit is placed in an overlapping relationship on a next lower
similar unit in the formation of a wall structure with one of the
narrow projections on the undersurface of said unit engaging with
said narrow recess formed in the upper surface of the next adjacent
unit placed thereover and said wide recess on the bottom surface
engaging with the wide projection on the upper surface of the next
lower unit, the inclination of said units invoking gravitational
forces only to retain the units in their assembled relationship
with one another.
2. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said units are each
provided with tongue-and-groove members to interlock with one
another in the formation of said wall structure.
3. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein a stepped base is
employed to support the lowermost set of units employed in the
formation of said wall structure.
4. A structure comprising cornerposts extending vertically from a
supporting base, grooves formed in the walls of said posts, a
stepped base extending between said cornerposts, said base
supported on a horizontally extending foundation structure, modular
units comprising parallelogram-shaped blocks, said blocks including
a top surface having a relatively wide projection at one end
thereof and a narrow projection at the opposite end with a narrow
recess extending between said projections, the bottom surface of
said block having a pair of narrow projections at both ends thereof
with a relatively wide recessed area therebetween, the end walls of
said blocks adapted to extend on a true vertical line when said
block is placed in an overlapping relationship on a next lower
similar block in the formation of a wall structure with one of the
narrow projections on the undersurface of said block engaging with
said narrow recess formed in the upper surface of the next adjacent
block placed thereover and said wide recess on the bottom surface
engaging with the wide projection on the upper surface of the next
lower unit, the blocks next adjacent said posts having tongues
formed therein for engagement with said grooves in said posts, the
inclination of said units invoking gravitational forces only to
retain the units in their assembled relationship with one
another.
5. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein a roof structure
overlies the uppermost course of units forming the said wall
structure, said roof structure adding weight to said courses of
units to assist in their retention in assembled relationship with
one another.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to describe the present invention, an exemplification is
set forth with particular reference to a concrete or cinder block
commonly employed in erecting building structures and the like. The
employment of concrete or cinder block in erecting walls or the
like has been employed in the building industry for many years and
such has been found to be ideally suited to form such walls.
However, in the employment of such blocks, it is customary to
employ some sort of adhesive between the courses of blocks, such as
mortar and the like to help retain the blocks in their proper
position. As presently constructed, such blocks are usually
rectangular in shape and are usually laid one on top of another
with mortar or other adhesive material therebetween. Generally,
such blocks are provided with some type of interlock between the
blocks to assist in retaining them in their proper locked position
as one course of blocks is laid upon the next adjacent lower course
of blocks.
The present invention is concerned primarily with the formation of
a concrete or cinder block of a generally parallelogram shape, with
or without apertures formed therein and with interlocking means
formed along the four sides of the block to assist in the proper
retention of the blocks when they are laid one course on top of the
next lower course in the formation of a wall or the like.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a block commonly
known as a building block which can be employed in the formation of
a wall and the like and wherein the employment of an adhesive such
as mortar and the like can be completely dispensed with to retain
the building blocks in their proper position once the blocks have
been laid in courses, one course overlying the next adjacent lower
course.
Another object of the invention is to shape a building block
generally in the shape of a parallelogram with the outer edges of
the blocks adapted to extend in a true vertical line when the
blocks are laid in courses in the formation of a wall structure or
the like and wherein the upper and lower edges of block extend at
an upward angle with respect to the horizontal.
Another object of the invention is to construct a building block of
a generally parallelogram shape and wherein the forces of gravity
are employed for retaining the courses of blocks in their proper
position in the formation of a wall and the like.
A still further object of the invention is to so shape a building
block as to enable the same to be employed in the formation of a
dwelling and wherein suitable cornerpost structures are employed as
to interlock with ends of the blocks adjacent thereto and wherein
the courses of blocks employed in the formation of such a dwelling
rely substantially on gravitational forces for retaining the
courses of blocks in their proper position in the formation of a
dwelling or similar structure.
Another object of the invention is to form a block of a generally
parallelogram shape with interlocking means formed thereon so as to
assist in the proper retention of the blocks when they are laid one
course on top of a lower course and gravitational forces are
employed in maintaining the courses of blocks in their proper
position without the employment of an adhesive between the blocks
to maintain them in their set position in the formation of a wall,
dwelling, and the like.
A still further object of the invention is to form a building block
which will enable one to erect a wall, dwelling structure, and the
like without the employment of an adhesive between the blocks such
as mortar, thus reducing materially the costs incurred in the
formation of such a wall, dwelling structure and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dwelling formed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 discloses a modified form of the invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the wall structure shown
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a still further
modification of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one type of block constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the block shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the block shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a section taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 5 looking in the
direction of the arrows.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of building
block.
FIG. 10 is a section taken on line 10--10 of FIG. 9 looking in the
direction of the arrows.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the block shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the block shown in FIG. 9, and
FIG. 13 is a section taken through a corner of a dwelling
disclosing the manner in which the blocks interlock with a vertical
cornerpost.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown generally at FIG. 1
thereof a dwelling 10 comprising a roof 11 and walls 12, only one
such wall being shown in the drawings. The roof 11 is of
conventional construction and is adapted to be supported by the
walls 12 in the conventional manner. As can be appreciated, the
dwelling 10 is provided with a conventional foundation, not shown,
and on this foundation, a stepped base 13 is secured thereto in any
suitable manner. The base 13 may be formed of any known material
and is provided with grooves and projections 14 and 15
corresponding to the grooves 16 and projections 17 formed on the
undersurface of blocks 18 which are employed in the formation of
the wall structure for the dwelling. Referring now to FIG. 9 of the
drawings, there is disclosed therein one type of a block which can
be employed in the formation of a wall and the like in accordance
with the spirit of the present invention.
The blocks 18 can be made of any suitable material, such as wood,
concrete, cinder, plastic, etc. The blocks comprise front and rear
walls 19 and 20. The blocks are all of uniform thickness and may
have cavities 21 formed therein and the walls 19 and 20 extend
parallel to one another with the aforesaid cavities formed
therebetween. As clearly shown in the drawings, the blocks 18 are
of generally parallelogram shape and when the blocks are placed on
the stepped base 13, the ends 22 and 23 are disposed on a true
vertical line while the upper and lower surfaces 24 and 25 of the
blocks are disposed at a slight angle with respect to the base 13
for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 13 of the drawings,
there is shown therein cornerpost structures 26 which can be formed
of any suitable material such as concrete, steel and the like. If
made of concrete the same can have embedded therein suitable
reinforcing elements to give the post the strength required to
maintain the dwelling in its erected condition. The cornerposts 26
are provided with grooves 27, 28 which are adapted to receive
therein projections 29 which are formed along one end of the blocks
18 so as to form an interlock between these members.
The cornerposts 26 are suitably anchored to the foundation in any
known manner and extend to a position closely adjacent the roof 11
of the dwelling so as to afford a means for an interlock between
the blocks and the cornerposts. While not shown in the drawings,
similar posts are installed in the foundation at various locations
along the wall of the dwelling where it is desired to form openings
in the wall for windows, doors and the like. Of course, such posts
would likewise be provided with grooves so as to interlock with the
projections on the blocks next adjacent thereto in the manner
described above.
As can best be seen in FIG. 9 of the drawings, each block 18 is
provided on the lower surface with relatively narrow projections 17
and a wide recess or groove 16 whereas the upper surface of the
block is provided with a relatively wide projection 30, a
relatively narrow projection 31 and a relatively narrow recess 32
formed therebetween for a purpose to be more fully described
hereinafter.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings,
it will be seen that when the blocks are placed one on top of
another to form a course of blocks, one of the aforesaid
projections 17 on the undersurface of the blocks is adapted to be
received in the recess 32 which is formed on the upper surface of
the block next below the said block so as to interlock therewith.
Also, the groove or recess 16 formed on the undersurface of the
block is adapted to receive the relatively wide portion 30 which
extends upwardly from the block next underlying the same. Thus, it
will be seen that in assembling the blocks in this manner, an
interlock is formed between the courses of blocks so as to retain
the blocks in their proper position on the courses formed in
erecting a wall structure. In addition, the upper surface of the
block 18 is provided with a groove 33 which extends substantially
the length of the aforesaid block. This groove 33 is adapted to
receive a tongue 34 which is formed on the lower surface of
projections 17. Also, a groove 35 is formed on the end of the block
opposite the end having the projection 29 so that when the blocks
are laid one on top of another to form a course of blocks, the
aforementioned tongue-and-groove arrangement 33, 34 and the groove
35 and projection 29 will interfit to form a locking arrangement
for the blocks.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 10 of the drawings, there
is shown therein a section taken through the block shown in FIG. 9.
As stated previously, the ends 22, 23 of the block 18 are adapted
to extend in a true vertical line when the blocks are assembled to
form a wall. However, note the inclination of the finished block
with respect to a true horizontal which is shown by line 36. With
blocks formed in this manner it will be appreciated that when the
blocks are placed one on top of another in the manner aforesaid in
the formation of a wall, the blocks will be inclined downwardly at
one end thereof, thus obviating the need of mortar or other or
other adhesive to maintain the blocks in their assembled
relationship to one another, but rather, relying on the forces of
gravity to retain the blocks in their assembled relationship to one
another.
The invention thus far has been described wherein a building block
such as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings is employed in the
formation of a wall structure. Such blocks include relatively wide
portions 30 on the upper portion of the block together with a
relatively wide groove or recess 16 formed on the undersurface of
the block along with relatively narrow projections 17 and 24 formed
on the upper and lower surface of the block together with
tongue-and-groove formations 29, 35, 33 and 35 to provide an
interlocking-type block for the formation of a wall structure such
as shown more particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
A modified form of block structure is shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8
of the drawings. The block 18' in this modification of the
invention is adapted to be formed in the same manner as the block
18 described above and is likewise intended to be used in the same
manner as that previously described. The block shown in this
modification utilizes a tongue-and-groove arrangement only together
with the forces of gravity to retain the blocks in their assembled
relationship to one another, again, minus the employment of any
adhesive or mortar to maintain the assembled blocks in their
assembled relationship to one another.
The block 18' is provided with a tongue-and-groove formation 33',
34' along with side groove 35' and projections 29', all adapted to
interlock in the well-known manner when the blocks are laid one on
top of another in the formation of courses in erecting a dwelling,
wall, and the like.
Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, it will be seen that the
block is of generally parallelogram shape with the ends 22', 23' of
the block adapted to extend on a true vertical when the blocks are
placed one on top of another in the formation of a wall structure
or the like such as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, with the upper
and lower surfaces 24' and 25' disposed at a slight angle with
respect to the horizontal line shown at 36'. In the formation of a
wall with the modified form of block shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8
of the drawings, the block will be disposed in staggered
relationship to one another as shown more clearly at FIG. 4 of the
drawings with each block inclined with respect to the horizontal,
thus employing gravity forces to assist in retaining the blocks in
their proper assembled relationship to one another. Of course,
suitable corner and intermediate posts such as previously described
are employed with the modified type of block to form a complete
dwelling structure. Again, it will be seen that a wall or the like
can be erected without the employment of any adhesives such as
mortar for retaining the blocks in their assembled relationship,
but rather, the forces of gravity are relied upon to retain this
relationship.
Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is disclosed
therein a stepped base 13 upon which the lowermost course of blocks
are placed and then successive courses are formed to form the wall
to the desired height. However, when it is desired to dispense with
the employment of a stepped base on a foundation, the blocks
forming the lowermost course for the wall may be cut so that the
bottom surface of the blocks extend on a true horizontal whereas
the upper or top surface of the blocks are disposed at a slight
incline as clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted
that the uppermost course of blocks are cut so as to present a true
horizontal supporting surface upon which the usual header plate and
rafters are mounted so as to support the roof 11 thereon. Thus,
with the blocks disposed at a slight downward incline as described
above, the weight of the roof structure on the wall formation will
assist in retaining the assembled blocks in their proper
relationship with one another and thus retained without the
employment of adhesives, mortar and the like.
In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a wall,
dwelling, and the like can be erected without the employment of an
adhesive between the block structures employed with the weight of a
roof assisting the gravitational forces acting on the blocks to
retain the same in their assembled relationship to one another. As
can be appreciated, a completed wall, as aforesaid, may form a
finished exterior wall if the outer facing thereof has been
properly finished to present an attractive outer appearance. Or, if
desired, suitable paints may be applied to the outer facing of the
blocks to enhance the appearance thereof. Likewise, the exterior
facing of the blocks may be similarly treated so as to present a
pleasing appearance.
While it is intended that a wall or dwelling constructed as
aforesaid need have no further covering secured thereto to form a
completed structure, it is obvious that a suitable outer and/or
inner decorative facing may be employed to enhance the appearance
of the completed structure.
Many possible modifications will become apparent from the foregoing
without departing from the spirit of the invention. However, the
foregoing disclosure is presented in an illustrative sense rather
than a limiting sense and the appended claims are relied upon to
define the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *