Two piece interlocking block system

Abstract

An interlocking block system consisting of a full block and a half block are installed mortar free with the internal cells filled with grout as required. The blocks must be laid in the upright position but may be rotated end to end as required for aesthetic reasons or to create an additional square internal cell. The blocks are supported by a tongue and groove engagement at the four external corners and four internal locking members that engage within the block on the course above. Knockout sections and relief areas are supplied for the installation of reinforcing bars. When the blocks are turned at a ninety degree angle to make a corner, the internal locking members engage in the square end cell of the block above equally as well as they do in a straight course of blocks.

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 637,298, filed Dec. 17, 2004. It relates to building blocks, which are conventionally employed to construct a variety of structures. More particularly the device herein disclosed relates to a building block system that employs only two configurations of blocks to build an extremely strong and stable structure. Two configurations will be available in a variety of common block sizes. The system employing a full block and a half block uses a novel means of interlocking external tongues and grooves along with internal locking members to provide an incredibly strong sheer resistant structure. The two-piece interlocking block system works as effectively on corners as it does on straight sections. With the addition of optional reinforcing bars and grout filled cells, the resulting wall provides resistance to earthquakes and other lateral forces which might cause failure in walls lacking the structura...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a system of interlocking blocks that have several technical effects. Firstly, the system uses only two interlocking block components, making it more efficient and durable. Secondly, the blocks are not fragile and subject to breakage, making them stronger and more resistant to damage. Thirdly, the blocks have separate cells that can be filled with grout, making them more versatile. Fourthly, the blocks can be rotated end to end within a course without losing their structural integrity. Fifthly, the blocks have grooved knockouts or depressions to allow reinforcing bars to run the full length of the structure. Lastly, the blocks can be laid up by laborers under the direction of a single block mason, reducing the cost and time involved in construction. Overall, the invention creates a stronger and more efficient block structure than conventional methods."

Problems solved by technology

Conventional concrete block walls are laid up by a time-consuming difficult system that involves concrete mortar being placed onto the footing or the top of a course of previously laid blocks and then setting blocks one at a time in the mortar.

The use of a great deal of skilled laborers on a jobsite keeps the cost of this type of construction high.

Various types of interlocking blocks have been devised in the past to facilitate block laying; however, most such blocks are very expensive to produce since the interlocking portions, usually grooves and protrusions, normally are sawed into or otherwise fashioned in the blocks after they are initially formed by the molding process.

Some of the interlocking blocks require a wide variety of different shapes of blocks to accomplish the tasks and are usually very fragile and subject to breakage.

Moreover, those blocks in which the interlocking components are initially molded usually are difficult to mold with the acceptably close tolerances that are required.

With one central chamber and no center wall, the block, while useful for the intended purpose, is rendered fragile and subject to inadvertent breakage.

Blocks of this type with a single central chamber are more fragile and subject to breakage during the manufacturing and shipping processes as well on the jobsite.

The interlocking of the protrusions work well in a straight line but do not work effectively on corners.

This patent describes a mortar free block that is recessed on the sides to interlock but has no internal means of interlocking and loses its interlocking capability on corners.

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