Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGKOTlND OF THE I~VENTION
FlELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a building block
system.
5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIO~ ART
Various shapes of building blocks have been
proposed over many years for use in building vertical
and horizontal walls. A relatively common proposal is
of substantially T-shaped blocks, i.e. a block
consisting solely of a stem limb and a cross limb, the
stem limb extending substantially perpendicularly from
the middle of the cross limb, examples being disclosed
in British Patent Specification 590,291, French Patent
Specifications 1067762 and 2299468 and ~nited States
~eissue Patent Specification 14,904. In all of these
cases, the block is laid such that the cross limb
extends in the general plane of the wall, whilst the
stem limb extends perpendicularly to that plane.
Swedish Patent Specification 150829 discloses a
building block which, although it appears to be
substantially T-shaped when seen in front elevation and
rear elevation, actually consists of six limbs, of which
four provide the front and rear T-shapes and of which
each of the other two links one end of the cross-limb of
the front T-shape with the nearer end of the cross-limb
of the rear T-shape. This building block is of its
special shape because it is used to form ventilation or
like channels in the wall.
Although substantially T-shaped blocks, when
30 interfitted with the free end of each stem limb
face-to-face with the cross limbs of two adjacent
; blocks, utilize the interfitting to support each other
at two opposite sides of the six sides of the block,
they provide no similar support at any of the other four
; 35 sides.
~ nited States Patent Specification 829,480
discloses a paving and building block system wherein
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1 each block consists of two block-form parts whereof a
larger part protrudes from the smaller part on four
sides. These blocks can interfit such that the larger
parts of four outer blocks overlap the larger part of an
inner block at its respective four sides. Although
forces applied to the major external face of the larger
part of the inner block are borne by the larger parts of
the four outer blocks, forces applied to the major
external face of the smaller part of the inner block are
not borne by any adjacent blocks.
In the above-mentioned United States Patent
Specification 14,904, each block has the end faces of
its cross limb diverging towards its stem limb, and has
the lateral faces of its stem limb substantially
15 parallel to the respective nearer end faces of its cross
limb and thus diverging away from the cross limb, and,
moreover, those two intermediate faces of the cross limb
between these respective end faces, on the one hand, and
these respective lateral faces, on the other hand,
converge towards the longitudinal axis of th~ cross limb
progressing inwardly. There is thus formed a keying
arrangement of substantially Z-form which, in a wall
constructed from the blocks, resists forces on those
faces of any one of the blocks at the major faces of the
25 wall. However, only one shape of block with such keying
arrangement is provided, so that the system is of very
limited use. Although the Specification discloses use
of the blocks in a vertical wall, the blocks are
arranged with their cross limbs vertical and their stem
limbs horizontal and thus a bottom layer of special
blocks has to be provided if the wall is to be laid on a
planar foundation.
Federal German Patent Specification 1926239
discloses paving slabs each of which has at each of two
opposite edge sides thereof a profile including a
substantialy Z-form key, the profiles on most of the
slabs being identical to each other. The substantially
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1 Z-form keys of each slab are arranged to extend
parallelly to each other in the plane of the horizontal
wall formed by the slabs. However, they are offset
relative to each other along the respective opposite
5 edge sides of the slab and are thus unsuitable for use
in building a vertical wall with the substantially
Z-form keys extending horizontally.
French Patent Specification 1352121 discloses a
building system employing three shapes of interfittable
elements~ these shapes being substantially Z,
substantially T and substantially L. However, forces
against the free end face of the stem limb of such
T-shaped element or against the free end face of the
longer limb of such L-shaped element are not borne by
the adjacent elements except by way of conventional
fastening means, for example rivetting, used to fix the
elements together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention seeks to provide a building system
in which blocks are employed that are of compound shape,
that is to say, are not basically rectangular
parallelepipeds. The block employed in a system in
accordance with the invention may be substantially
T-shaped, substantially 2-shaped and/or may be
dove-tailed and may co-operate with other
compound-shaped blocks to produce buildings or other
structures in which the various blocks strengtheningly
support one another with, or without, interlocking
co-operation, it being possible for the buildings or
other structures to be completed, in some cases, without
mortar or other binding material between the blocks or,
;~ in other cases, to employ a relatively small amount of
mortar or other binding material between the blocks as
compared with buildings and other structures produced
from conventional blocks, particularly bricks.
The present system advantageously employs blocks
which are pre-fabricated to a high degree of precision
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1 and with which the required fitting together, especially
interlocking, of the blocks will not be achieved, during
the erection of a building or other structure, unless
the individual blocks are correctly disposed relative to
5 one another and register accurately. Thus, if a mistake
is made in positioning a block relative to others that
have already been laid, the error is almost immediately
very obvious and can quickly and easily be corrected.
No cutting or breaking of any block is necessary since
the system advantageously includes the use of
complementary blocks such as end blocks, corner blocks,
junction blocks and so on. In the case of a building or
other structure having upright walls, a minimum of
checking is necessary upon the erection of those walls
15 once the dimensions of the base of the building has been
calculated and said base has been accurately marked out.
An important feature of the system is the fact that the
same block can be employed in the construction of floors
and roofs as are used to erect vertical walls thus
20 producing a fully integrated building system in which,
once an initial choice of the various possible block
shapes has been made, the number of different shapes of
pre-fabricated block that are actually employed in a
single building or other structure can be quite small.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a wall comprising a plurality of
unitary building blocks each consisting of only two
limbs which are a stem limb and a cross limb, the stem
limb extending substantially perpendicularly from the
30 middle of the cross limb, and the longitudinal axis of
the cross limb extending in the general plane of the
wall, wherein the improvement comprises the longitudinal
axis of the stem limb also lying in said general plane.
Use of T-blocks in this manner in a wall, which
35 may be a vertical wall, or a horizontal wall, for
example a floor or a roof, gives a greater degree of
flexibility in building construction, in particular with
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1 walls intended to bear no load or low loads, since these
walls can be of lesser thickness than when the stem
limbs of the blocks are perpendicular to the general
plane.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a unitary building block
comprising only two block-form parts whereof one part
protrudes from the other part at first and second
adjacent sides of said block to provide first and second
keys thereat, wherein the improvement comprises said
other part protruding from said one part at third and
fourth adjacent sides of said block to provide third and
fourth keys thereat.
This building block has the advantage that, when
interfitted with identical building blocks in a wall,
the blocks support each other not only against forces
applied to two opposite sides of the block but also
against forces applied to another two sides of the
block.
According to a third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a range of building
elements of various shapes, wherein the improvement is
comprised in that the elements of various shapes are
provided with substantially Z-form keys which are of
- 25 substantially identical linear and angular dimensions to
each other and each of which has its intermediate limb
at an acute angle to its other two limbs.
This provision of substantially Z-keys on a range
of variously shaped elements gives a greater degree of
~- 30 flexibility and strength in building construction.
According to a fourth aspect of the present
; invention, there is provided a substantially vertical
wall comprising a plurality of unitary building blocks
each formed at first and second opposite sides thereof
with substantially Z-form keys, the keys of said blocks
being substantially identical to each other and
interfitting, and each block having at third and fourth
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1 opposite sides thereof alternating with said first and
second opposite sides thereof respective substantially
parallel faces, wherein the imporvement comprises said
faces and the substantially z-forms of the keys of the
5 blocks extending in substantially hori~ontal planes.
A vertical wall constructed in this manner with
blocks provided with Z-keys has the advantage that a
lowermost course of the blocks can be laid directly on a
horizontal foundation surface without requiring
interposition of differently shaped blocks.
According to a fifth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a building block including
at first and second opposite sides thereof respective
first and second substantially Z-form keys whereof the
substantially Z-forms extend substantially parallelly to
each other, wherein the improvement comprises the first
and second keys being situated directly opposite each
other along said sides.
This block has the advantage that a plurality of
them can be laid with their keys interfitting WitilOUt
requiring inversion of alternate blocks and without
alternate blocks protruding significantly.
According to a sixth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a wall comprising a
plurality of unitary building blocks each consisting of
only two limbs which are a stem limb and a cross limb,
the stem limb extending substantially perpendicularly
from the middle of the cross limb, and the longitudinal
axis of the cross limb extending in the general plane of
the wall, wherein the improvement comprises the
longitudinal axes of the stem limbs of some of the
blocks extending in said general plane and the
longitudinal axes of the stem limbs of others of the
blocks extending perpendicularly to said stem limbs of
some of the blocks.
This arrangement of substantially T-shaped blocks
is particularly useful in providing a reiatively strong
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1 wall,
BKIEF DESCKIPTION OF THE DRAWlNGS
In order that the invention may be clearly
understood and readily carried into effect, reference
5 will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of acorner of two vertical walls of identical substantially
T-shaped blocks of a building block system,
Figure 2 shows a view similar to Figure 1 of a
modified arrangement of the substantially T-shaped
blocks in the walls,
Figures 3A and 3B are a fragmentary elevation and
a fragmentary plan view of a course of blocks in a wall
of Figure 1 or 2,
Figures 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a
vertical sectional perspective view of one of the blocks
of that course,
Figures 5A and 5B are views similar to Figs. 3A
and 3B of the course with a modified version of the
block,
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are a perspective view, a
plan view and another perspective view of a second
modified version of the substantially T-shaped block,
Figures 7A and 7B are a plan view and a
perspective view of a corner substantially T-shaped
block usable with the block of Figure 6A,
Figures 8A and 8B are a perspective view and a
plan view of two of those corner blocks interfitted,
Figure 9 shows a perspective view from above of
three walls built of the block of Figures 1 and 2,
Figures lOA and lOB shows a plan view and a
perspective view of a modified version of the block of
Figures 1 and 2 for use in the walls of Figure 9,
Figure 11 shows a view similar to Figure lOs of a
modified version of the block therein,
Figure 12 shows a view similar to Figure 10B of
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g
1 another modified version of the block therein,
Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure lOB of a
further modified version of the block therein,
Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing
the walls built of a further modified version of the
substantially T-shaped block,
Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing
the walls built of a variation of the block therein,
Figures 16A, 16B and 16C are a perspective view,
10 a plan view and a side elevation of a substantially
Z-shaped block of the system,
Figures 17A, 17B and 17C are end elevations of
respective versions of a substantially Z-form key
applicable to various of the blocks of the system,
Figure 18 shows a perspective view of part of two
interkeying courses of the block of Figure 16A,
Figure 19 shows an end elevation of the two
courses of Figure 18, but with a variation of the block
of Figure 16A,
2~ Figure 20 shows a modified version of the block
of Figure 16A,
Figure 21 shows a fragmentary plan view of walls
comprising the block of Figure 16A,
Figure 22A shows a perspective view of part of a
25 course of another modified version of the block of
Figure 16A,
Figure 22B showed a detail of Figure 21, but
modified,
Figure 23A and 23B show a perspective view and a
; 30 plan view of a substantially dovetailed-T-shaped block
of the system,
Figure 24 shows a view similar to Figure 21 of
the walls comprising the block of Figure 23A,
Figure 25 shows a fragmentary perspective view of
~` 35 a horizontal wall, in this case a floor, comprised of
the blocks of Figures 6A and 23A, and
Figure 26 shows a fragmentary perspective view of
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1 a wall comprised of the block of Figures 1 and 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
~ eference is made firstly to Figures 1 to 15 of
the drawings which Figures show the use of building
blocks 1 that are substantially T-shaped. Figures 1 and
2 of the drawings show two upright walls 2 and 3 of a
building or other structure formed from such T-shaped
blocks. It will be seen that, in each horizontal course
of blocks, neighbouring blocks are alternately upright
and inverted and that, in the structure of Figure 1,
each block is inverted relative to blocks which are
vertically thereabove and/or there- beneath whereas, in
the structure shown in Figure 2, each block in each
course has the same disposition as does each block which
is vertically thereabove and/or therebeneath. It will
particularly be noted that, in both cases, the T-shaped
blocks co-operate to form a 90 junction between the two
upright walls without the need to employ blocks of any
other shape. It will immediately be apparent that,
20 measured in the general plane of its wall, the
horizontal or cross limb 4 of each block is three units
long, the vertical or stem limb 5 thereof is one unit
long, and each limb 4 and S is one unit wide.
In fact, the basic T-shaped block of Figures 1
25 and 2 is preferably given tapered projections 6 to 8 and
depressions 9 to 11 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 for a
hollow block 12 and each one unit square in effective
area, or projections 6' to 11' and depressions 6'' to
11'' each with an effective area of one unit by one-half
unit, as shown in Figures 5. These projections and
depressions provide significant keys between the blocks
12, enabling them to `be fitted satisfactorily together
without the use of mortar or other binding material when
-~ a wholly or principally dry construction is required.
Moreover, the projections and depressions co-operate
with each other to form satisfactory seals at the joints
between the blocks which is a considerable advantage if
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1 the hollow blocks are to be filled with an initially
foamed or liquid insulation material or with foamed or
other concrete.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate the
form and use of blocks which may conveniently be
described as Z-key, T-blocks. In Figures 6, the end
faces of the cross limb 14 of the substantially T-shaped
block 15 and the lateral faces of the stem limb 16
thereof are of a shape to give substantially Z-form keys
17 which are identical to each other J especially in
their linear and angu]ar cross-sectional dimensions,
with the intermediate limb 18 of each key being at an
acute angle to its other two limbs 19. Figures 7 shows
a corner substantially T-shaped block 20 which differs
- 15 from the block 15 chiefly in that the key 17' of one
branch of the cross limb 14 is arranged at a rear face
of that cross limb. Figures 8 show two blocks 20
interfitted correspondingly to the blocks A and B in
Figure 1.
The substantially T-shaped blocks of Figures 6 to
8 are, in any construction employing them, keyed to
their neighbours on two sides and this produces
~- equilibrium among the forces acting on each block, it
being noted that Z-keyed blocks are usable in slab form
as floors and also in slab form as roofs which latter
can be employed either with, or without, additional
supports.
There are four basic versions of the embodiment
of the system which principally uses substantially
T-shaped building blocks, these four versions having
been found to be the most satisfactory as regards ease
of construction, handling, simplicity, ease of
production of the blocks, versatility in use of the
blocks and the need to produce a minimum number of
accessory blocks for use at, for example, wall ends and
wall junctions. The first of these four versions is
~ illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the second in Figures 9
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1 to 13, the thi~d in Figure 26 and the fourth in Figure
15. It will be apparent that the versions shown in
Figures 9 to 15 inclusive employ the substantially
T-shaped blocks lying perpendicularly to the wall (i.e.
with their cross limbs in the general plane of the wall
and their stem limbs perpendicular to that plane.
Referring to Figure 9, the vertical walls 30, 31
and 32 extending perpendicularly to each other consist
of substantially T-shaped identical blocks 33 with cross
limbs 34 three units long and one unit wide and stem
limbs 35 one unit square, substantially L-shaped
identical blocks 36 with stem limbs 37 two units long
and one unit wide and cross limbs 38 one unit square,
and identical square-section blocks 39 one unit square.
Figures 10 shows one of the blocks 33 with the end faces
of its cross limb 34 and the lateral faces of its stem
limb 35 consisting of substantially Z-form identical
keys 17 which differ from the keys 17 of Figures 6 only
in that their faces are perpendicular to the plane of
the block. Figure 11 shows a block 33 differing from
that of Figures 10 only in that it has substantially
Z-form keys 40 whereof the limbs of the substantially
Z-shape are at right angles to each other. The block 33
of Figure 12 is usable in walls according to both
Figures 1 and 9 and has its keys 41 of substantially
V-shape with the limbs of the substantially V-shape
lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the stem
limb 35. The block 33 of Figure 13 differs from that of
Figure 12 only in that its keys 42 are of a cylindrical
concave or cylindrical convex form.
Figure 14 shows the walls 30 to 32 constructed of
: substantially T-shaped blocks 50, substantially L-shaped
blocks 51 and substantially square-section blocks 52
differing from the blocks of Figure 9 chiefly in that
the substantially T-shaped blocks each have one or both
of those two faces 53 thereo~ intermediate the end faces
of its cross limb, on the one hand, and the lateral
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1 faces of its stem limb, on the other hand, converging
towards that face 54 of the cross limb opposite the stem
limb.
In the version of Figure 15, each substantially
T-shaped block 50' is of elongate formation.
Each of the four versions of the embodiment of
the system which principally employs substantially
T-shaped blocks may be solid, or wholly or partly
hollow, and may have plain and/or patterned or other
textured faces. It will be apparent that many different
combinations of precise shape, size, materials, surface
texturing and so on are possible that are too numerous
to discuss individually. The particular type which is
chosen will depend upon individual preference, climatic
conditions, geographic situation and local traditions of
building. It is noted that, whilst prefabricated
concrete will generally be employed and most blocks will
be hollow in construction, other materials can equally
well be used, if preferred, such as pre-stressed
concrete to form blocks usable for vertical walls,
floors, roofs and so on, but a construction employing
concrete is not essential and the blocks can be made
from, for example, glass-reinforced plastics, natural
wood and/or plywood.
The use of the building system which has so far
been described enables strong buildings or other
; structures to be made either in dry form or semi-dry
form using very much less mortar or other binding
material than is employed in the formation of
traditional brick/block buildings and the like. The
described system has considerable advantages as compared
with traditional building systems and these advantages
include stability both during and after erection of a
building or other structure, ease of erection,
simplicity in aligning the blocks without long
experience of such work being necessary, and the use of
; an absolute minimum of auxiliary tools, measuring
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1 instruments and other gadgets. The blocks can be such
as to interkey, giving increased strength to the
vertical wall, floor, roof or the like which is being
produced whilst simultaneously eliminating errors such
as discrepancies in level and the formation of crooked,
zig-zag, curved or other incorrectly disposed courses of
blocks. The system is versatile since it can employ
different forms of keying and can employ any chosen one,
or any chosen suitable combination, of the different
blocks that have already been described and those that
will be described below. As well as being very suitable
for the construction of dwelling houses and other
buildings, the system can be used for many other
purposes such as, for example, the paving of roads,
pathways, pavements and the like and for the cladding of
new or existing buildings. Although the blocks will
usually be formed from conventional concrete, they can,
as has already been mentioned above, be formed from
other materials which include, in addition to the
examples already mentioned, light-weight concrete, clay,
gypsum and synthetic plastics whether or not reinforced
with glass fibre or the like. Where appropriate,
buildings or other structures can be produced without
mortar or other binding material between the blocks but
25 grouted cavities can be included, where required, for
strength and/or insulation. If required, a building or
other structure can be formed in such a way as to be
capable of being readily dismantlable by including
therein removable keying blocks and/or removable locking
30 bolts. The blocks may be given surface textures
designed to simulate the use of a traditional method of
construction when viewing the exposed surfaces of a
building or other structure formed from such blocks.
It has been found that, using principally the
substantially T-shaped blocks to form a building or
other structure, those blocks, when accurately produced,
fit together in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2 of
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l the drawings in such a way as automatically to prevent
inaccuracies in horizontal or vertical disposition,
provided only that the foundation or footing is itself
correctly disposed. The interengagement of the blocks
automatically prevents vertical and horizontal
inaccuracies from occurring and the fact that the blocks
fit tightly together produces a strength which is
comparable with that achieved by using traditional
bricks or blocks that are connected to one another by
mortar or other binding material. Considerable time is,
of course, saved by wholly or principally omitting
mortar or other binding materials since the builders do
not have to wait for the mortar or the like to set
before the blocks can be relied upon for supporting
purposeS. Although the blocks are pre-fabricated, a
building or other structure which is to be formed
principally therefrom is actually constructed in a very
similar manner to the use of traditional bricks and
blocks except that, generally speaking, mortar is used
very spar ngly, if at all. The final building or other
structure will not have the appearance of a monolithic
concrete mass but rather the appearance of a somewhat
differently patterned, but otherwise traditional, block
or brick construction thus avoiding an alien external
appearance which tends to discourage builders and the
customers for their products. Builders that work
substantially only in the traditional way will find no
difficulty nor strangeness in using this system since
; the system comprises placing a large number of
relatively small blocks in pre-determined positions
relative to one another as is, of course, done when
using traditional bricks and building blocks.
As well as being employed in the construction of
actual buildings, paths, roads and the like and the
cladding of new or existing buildings, this system can
be employed in producing either permanent or temporary
shuttering, substantially T-shaped blocks which are
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1 formed from glass fibre reinforced plastics or wood
being particularly suitable for shuttering purposes. If
exceptional strength is required in the blocks, they may
be formed from glass fibre reinforced concrete but the
particular choice of material will naturally depend upon
the nature of the building or other structure that is to
be formed and the purpose for which it is required. The
hollow interiors of the blocks can, for extra strength,
be filled with concrete or cement grout and it is
possible to insert reinforcing bars into those
interiors, before pouring the concrete or grouting, and
it has already been mentioned that the hollow blocks can
be filled with insulation material, such as
urea-formaldehyde foam, by either pouring or injection.
The system is particularly convenient for forming
temporary buildings or other structures since the blocks
and other necessary items can be supplied in a partially
assembled condition with post units bolted to beam units
merely requiring the interlocking blocks to be correctly
positioned. ~nder such circumstances it is, of course,
necessary that provision should be made for
disassembling the temporary building or other structure
in one of the ways briefly discussed above.
It will be realised that the blocks that have
been described can be provided in any required sizes
although it is desirable that the size and weight should
not exceed that which can readily be handled by a single
workman. The blocks that have briefly been described
with reference to Figure 15 can, on the other hand, be
30 of such a size that mechanical assistance is required to
move them, it being possible to provide blocks other
than those shown in Figure 15 to form a range of modular
units that are basically of T-shaped cross-section
together with accessory units as may be required at wall
35 ends, wall junctions, the margins of access openings and
the like. The second and third versions of the
substantially T-shaped blocks may, if required, be of
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1 brick-sized dimensions and may be made from baked clay
and other materials from which conventional bricks are
formed. In a building or other structure using such
bricks, it is desirable to grout the junctions between
them at regular intervals, as may be necessary having
regard to the particular building or other structure
that is being produced, or, in the case of hollow blocks
of this form, to fill them with mortar to produce
columns or pillars and to strengthen the construction at
the junctions between walls.
When erecting a building or other structure using
the first version of the blocks that has been described
with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it
will be remembered that these blocks do not possess any
interkeying features and it is therefore desirable,
although not absolutely essential in all cases, to use
mortar, grouting or other binding material in each pair
or tier of blocks, using further mortar, grouting or
other binding material between superposed pairs or tiers
of blocks. The blocks that are required at the corners
and ends of walls are basically similar to the
substantially T-shaped blocks themselves, only the form
of keying has, of course, to match that employed in the
substantially T-shaped blocks.
; 25 In employing the third version shown in Figure 26
to form a building or other structure, much the same
technique is used as with the first version but the
relative disposition of the blocks is different, the
substantially T-shaped blocks 60 with cross limbs 61 and
stem limbs 62 in the general plane of the wall
interfitting with substantially T-shaped blocks 63 with
cross limbs 64 and stem limbs 65 perpendicular to the
limbs 61 and 62, respectively. The thicknesses of the
substantially T-shaped blocks employed can be varied,
and in particular reduced, to allow different external
patterns to be produced together with different relative
dispositions of the blocks. This third version can, if
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1 desired, be combined with the second version, using the
two versions alternately in successive tiers of the
blocks.
A second basic embodiment of this building system
5 employs blocks that are not T-shaped but that co-operate
With one another by way of keys that are still
substantially Z-shaped. Such blocks are particularly,
but not exclusively, useful in forming prefabricated
panels, partitions and the like, a minimum of mortar or
other binding material being required at the junctions
between the blocks.
The substantially Z-shape of the key can be
varied but it has been found convenient to employ four
basic forms of the key any of which will join the blocks
quickly and efectively together without essentially
employing any mortar or other binding material.
It is possible to build a wall or other structure
employing substantially Z-keyed blocks in a semi-dry
form, overlaying every tier of the blocks with mortar or
other binding material to secure the superposed tiers
together in a conventional way. If a fully dry
construction is preferred, it is desirable to
incorporate end keying systems of substantially V-form,
substantially arcuate, or substantially Z-form into the
blocks to ensure that a building or other structure can
be erected quickly and accurately whilst automatically
maintaining stability and both vertical and horizontal
alignment.
Figure 16 shows a substantially Z-shaped block 70
consisting of two block-form parts 71 of which one part
protrudes beyond the other on two of the six sides
thereof and of which the other part protrudes beyond the
one part on another two of the six sides. As a result
of such protrusion, substantially four Z-shaped keys 72
to 75 are formed at the four sides, the substantially
Z-shapes of the two opposite keys 72 and 74 being
parallel and identical and of an acute-angled form,
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lZ~:~Z17
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1 whilst the substantially Z-shapes of the two opposite
keys 73 and 75 are of a right-angled form although
parallel and identical to each other. As can be seen
from the grids in Figs. 16A and 16C, each block 70 is
four units high, each part 71`being two units high; the
top and bottom faces of the block are each four units
square; the intermediate limbs of the substantially
Z-shape of the keys 72 and 74 are each two units long;
the mid-point of the substantially Z-shape of each of
the keys 72 and 74 is in a straight line with the free
ends of that shape; and the intermediate limb of the
substantially Z-shape of each of the keys 73 and 75 is
one-third unit long.
Figures 17 show three different forms of
acute-angled, substantially Z-shaped key. The key of
Figure 17A is that of Figs. 6, 7, 8, 10 and 16. Figure
17B shows a key whereof the intermediate limb 80 is one
unit long and the other two limbs 81 each extend, as
measured in a direction parallel to the limb 80, for one
unit. In Figure 17C, the key is similar in proportions
to the key of Figure 17A, but extends over only two
units of the four-unit height of the block.
Figure 18 shows two courses of the blocks 70,
illustrating that not only do the blocks interkey in
each course by means of the keys 72 and 74 but the
~` blocks interkey between courses by means of the keys 73
and 75.
Figure 19 shows that the keys 73 and 75 may also
be of an acute-angled, substantially Z-shape.
Figure 20 illustrates a substantially Z-shaped
block 90 with acute-angled substantially Z-shaped,
parallel, identical keys 91 and 92, the intermediate
limb 93 of each substantially Z-shape extending
obliquely inwards.
Figure 21 is a plan view showing vertical walls
100 to 102 of a building that are formed by employing
hollow blocks exhibiting the key of ~igure 17A, but
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1 Figure 21 also shows the shapes of blocks that are
required at a right-angled junction between two walls,
two forms of T- junction bet~een walls, and a cruciform
junction between four walls,
Figure 22A illustrates hollow, substantially
Z-form keyed, substantially Z-shaped blocks 110 which
are used as permanent formwork for the construction of
beams together with details of one way of fitting those
blOcks 110 together. Figure 22B shows the shape of
auxiliary hollow blocks 120, 120' that may be used
surroundingly to support upright reinforcing rods or the
like that are interconnected by strengthening wires.
The substantially Z-shaped blocks that have been
described herein can be employed in much the same
situations as ; the substantially T-shaped blocks
discussed above and, to a large extent, have the same
advantages, as compared with the blocks that are
employed in conventional building systems, as do those
above-discussed blocks.
There now follows with reference to Figures 23 a
description of a third basic embodiment of blocks
employable in a building system which blocks 130 are of
dove-tailed substantially T-shape and will hereinafter
be called, for the sake of brevity, "dove" blocks. Such
2S blocks are again particularly, but by no means
exclusively, useful in constructing pre-fabricated
panels, partitions and the like, very little, if any,
mortar or other binding material being required at the
junctions between the blocks. The dove blocks again
employ substantially Z-form keys for interengagement
and, once again, these keys may be of various shapes but
conveniently are provided in four different versions as
has already been described above with reference to
Figures 17 to 20.
Again, as already briefly described with
reference to Figures 16 to 22, the dove blocks can
advantageously be used in buildings or other structures
.
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1 of semi-dry form, each tier of dove blocks being
overlaid with mortar or other binding material to secure
it to the superposed tier in a substantially
conventional manner. Again, if a substantially fully
dry construction is required, it is preferable for the
dove blocks to incorporate end keys of one of the same
forms, and for the same purposes, as have already been
mentioned with reference to Figures 16 to 19.
Each dove block is actually shaped to comprise
two substantially Z-shaped keys 131 each extending over
the whole of one side of the block. This form of block
has the particular advantage that, in use, the forces
acting on the opposite ends thereof will almost always
substantially counterbalance one another so that a
particularly structurally stable building will result.
The dove blocks 130 have substantially the same
versatility of usage, and advantages as compared with
the bricks or blocks that are employed in conventional
building systems, that have already been discussed above
in regard to the version of the system which principally
employs substantially T-shaped blocks.
Figure 24 is a plan view, somewhat similar to
Figure 21, showing a plurality of the hollow dove blocks
130 employed in vertical walls 100 to 102 which also
include matchingly shaped cruciform connecting blocks
132, "half" wall end blocks 133, T-junction blocks 134
and right-angled corner blocks 135.
A description will now be given of ways in which
the various forms of block that have so far been
30 described can be employed in forming buildings and other
structures. When substantially T-shaped or other blocks
of the kind that have been described, having
substantially Z-form keys, are used in co-operation with
one another, the keys will effectively lock adjoining
35 blocks together by directing the forces which act upon
the junctions between the blocks and otherwise upon the
blocks themselves in such a way as to enhance or
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1 reinforce the stability of the structure that is
composed of said blocks. In particular, the keys
transform the tensile forces to which the described
blocks are subject into compressive forces which latter
forces will not normally crush building materials of the
kind used to produce blocks, unless these forces are
excessively strong.
Figure 25 illustrates one form of floor that may
be constructed of substantially T-shaped blocks arranged
with their stem limbs horizontal in a pre-cast concrete
or steel beam or timber joist framework 140 that is of
matching cross-sectional shape and that provides beams
or joists at pre-determined substantially regular
intervals. It will be noted that the substantially
T-shaped blocks exhibit substantially Z-form keys of the
kind shown in Figure 20 and that similarly keyed dove
blocks are also employed to fill the gaps which would be
left if the substantially T-shaped blocks alone were
used.
It is important, when using the blocks in the way
that is illustrated in Figure 25 that the blocks should
be forced tightly against one another in a horizontal
direction that is perpendicular to the lengths of the
beams or joists of the co-operating framework. Under
such circumstances, the blocks will co-operate
effectively with one another to form a stable floor in
which no underneath support, between the beams or
joists, is necessary. A tie beam may often
advantageously be employed to maintain the blocks firmly
30 pressed against one another as just described, such tie
beam beinq either pre-cast or cast in situ. The use of
a tie beam for this purpose is particularly advantageous
when the blocks are in the form of roaf slabs.
Obviously, there is a limit to the span of blocks which
; 35 will remain reliably interconnected, without support,
merely by the co-operation of their own interkeying
portions, this limit being dependent upon the sizes of
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-23-
1 the blocks that are employed, the strength of the
material from which they are made and the load that, in
use, they will be called upon to bear. It is again
possible to employ pre-cast or pre-stressed beams in
supporting co-operation with the blocks, the blocks of a
floor or the like that is formed in this way needing no
mortar, grouting or other binding material.
If necessary, further strengthening can be
produced by forming substantially Z-shaped keys on those
surfaces of the floor blocks that are substantially
perpendicular to the surfaces carrying the keys that
have already been mentioned.
It can sometimes be an advantage to secure
pre-cast or pre-stressed beams together to form a block
in the form of a frame and this has the advantage that
the beams will be lighter in weight than is
conventional, thus avoiding the need for heavy lifting
machinery and other mechanical handling equipment to
move various parts of the building or other structure
that is being erected into their appointed positions.
Once again, if the beams are provided with substantially
Z-form keying as described above, the advantage that the
blocks automatically position themselves relative to one
another in both vertical and horizontal directions is
immediately attained. Also, since no mortar or other
binding material is really necessary between the
automatically interlocking blocks, a roof can be placed
on a building or other structure erected using this
system without having to wait for mortar or other
binding material to set and attain a required degree of
strength.
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