Patent Application
20070175161
This invention relates in general to wall construction and more particularly to a unique interlocking block useful in various types of construction. The interlocking blocks of this invention are particularly useful for building retaining walls and the like, but can also be used for a wide variety structures.
There are a wide variety of interlocking blocks currently available for use in the construction of retaining walls and similar structures. These blocks typically allow for a number of courses to be composed of similarly shaped blocks that are arranged one on top of the other in such a way that the blocks of one course interlock with the blocks of the adjacent courses to produce a wall. These walls can therefore act as retaining structures which can exhibit a relatively high degree of resistance to horizontal shear forces.
Typically these interlocking blocks are usually useable in only one orientation so that if a retaining wall structure is being constructed the interlocking blocks must always have one face directed outwardly to form a visible wall surface, and the opposite face directed inwardly against the earth or material being retained. Furthermore the typical interlocking block does not allow for a retaining wall to have a high degree of curve to it therefore limiting the structure to relatively straight lines.
Traditional interlocking blocks are often rectangle in shape and therefore do not allow for the interlocking blocks to be manipulated into creating different shaped structures using the same interlocking block. Therefore typical interlocking blocks do not allow for a great deal of flexibility in retaining wall construction or other types of structures.
Thus an interlocking block which allows for improved flexibility for installation, can be used for a variety of different structures including small circles, can be oriented so that the retaining structure has the interlocking blocks flush with one another, or receding forwards or backwards, is desirable.
An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved interlocking block that can interact with similar blocks to build a variety of structures such as a retaining wall.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an interlocking block for interacting with other like blocks including a body having at least a front face, a rear face, a top face, a bottom face and a pair of side faces. The bottom face can have a plurality of substantially identical parallel transverse indentations but only on the bottom face. The indentation can have a constant cross-section and are spaced apart evenly between the front face and the rear face. There may be at least two substantially identical protrusions only on the top face, each protrusion being parallel with and in vertical alignment with one of the indentations, and receivable within an indentation of a like block. There are fewer protrusions than indentations.
Conveniently, the body in cross section is substantially in the shape of a trapezoid and the side faces are substantially tapered from the front face to the rear face. The interlocking block may further include a splitting grove extending from the back face to a point before the front face and at least one splitting slot extending there across from one side face to the other.
Preferably, the indentations can extend across from one side face to the other or they can be oval, or circular. The corresponding protrusions may be the identical shape as those of the indentations so that the protrusions register within the indentations.
Advantages of the present invention are: interlocking blocks can be assembled into raised, multi-level retaining walls and structural walls of various sizes, strong locking between interlocking blocks, easy assembly, easy to use, multiple similar textured faces to allow for inside and outside curves, a splitting groove allows for consistent faced corners therefore providing two similar textured faces, symmetrically tapered side faces allows for the same block to be used in different situations such as corners and curves, splitting slots allow for the interlocking block to be used in different situations and also allow for more accurate sizing, cutting and measuring, the retaining wall can be easily modified, the interlocking block can be used to build retaining walls that are straight, cured or in a small or large circle, and the interlocking block can be used to make these walls recessed forward or backward or flush, the interlocking block can be used to make flower beds, gardens, tree rings, edging, planters, garden fountains, decorative walls, steps, sand boxes and ponds.
A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:
a in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
b in a perspective view, illustrates the interlocking block of
In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, there is illustrated in a perspective view, an interlocking block 10 for interacting with other like blocks 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The interlocking block 10 for interacting with other like blocks 12 includes a body 14 having at least a front face 16, a rear face 18, a top face 20, a bottom face 22 and a pair of side faces 24. The bottom face 22 can have a plurality of substantially identical parallel transverse indentations 26 but only in the bottom face 22. The indentations 26 can have a constant cross-section and are spaced apart evenly between the front face 16 and the rear face 18. There may be at least two substantially identical protrusions 28 only on the top face 20, each protrusion 28 being parallel with and in vertical alignment with one of the indentations 26, and receivable within the indentation 26 of a like block 12. There are fewer protrusions 28 than indentations 26. In the first preferred embodiment the body 14 may be substantially trapezoid in shape. Furthermore the side faces 24 are substantially tapered from the front face 16 to the rear face 18. The protrusions 28 are adapted to engage the indentations 26 to be able to position the interlocking block 10 relative to the like block 12 in a forward, backward or flush position. More specifically depending on the type of structure being constructed, the interlocking blocks 10 can interact with other like blocks 12 to produce courses that can be flush with other blocks 12 (
Referring to FIGS. 10 to 16 in the second preferred embodiment, the interlocking block 10 can further include a splitting groove 30 that extends from the rear face 18 to a point 32 before the front face 16 on the top face 20. The splitting groove 30 allows for the user to easily split the interlocking block 10 in half along the splitting grove 30. This ability allows for a single design of interlocking block 10 to be used in a variety of situations such as in a corner position when constructing a retaining wall. The interlocking block 10 may also include at least one splitting slot 34 that extends across the top face 20 from one side face 24 to the other side face 24. There can be two, three or four splitting slots 34 located on the top face 20. Once again the splitting slots 34 give the ability to use a single type or style of interlocking block 10 in a variety of positions during a construction project. Specifically the interlocking block 10 can be shortened in length to fit into a construction project such as the corner when building a retaining wall.
Indentations 26 can be a variety of different shapes such as grooves, oval, circular or any shape that corresponds to the shape that are adapted to accept the protrusions 28. Furthermore the number of indentations 26 can vary but at a minimum should be at least two to match the number of protrusions 28. Typically the indentations 26 are groove-like 36 that have a profile 38 that corresponds to the protrusion profile 40 so that the protrusions 38 easily and securely engage the indentations 26. Furthermore the bottom face 22 of the interlocking block 10 typically has indentations 26 that run across the bottom face 22 from one side face 24 to the other. By having multiple indentations 26 that can engage the protrusions 28 of a like block 12, a variety of structures can be made based on the positioning of the protrusion 28 in the various indentations 26. The protrusions 28 may be a variety of shapes such as oval or circular, as long as their profile 40 matches the profile 36 of the indentations 26 so that the protrusions 28 easily and securely engage the indentations 26.
Moreover depending on the structure being made, the body 14 may have two front faces 16. This can be achieved when the interlocking block 10 is split down the splitting groove 30 thereby exposing side face 24 that has the similar texture to the front face 16. This would be desirable when an interlocking block 10 is being used in a corner position in a wall, therefore providing similar texture to the side face 24 of the interlocking block 10. Furthermore the front face 16 and the rear face 18 can have upper and lower edges 44 that are chamfered.
Referring to
Indentations 70 can be a variety of different shapes such as grooves, oval, circular or any shape that corresponds to the shape that are adapted to accept the protrusions 68. Furthermore the number of indentations 70 can vary but at a minimum there 2 should be at least two to match the number of protrusions 68. Typically the indentations 70 are groove-like 72 that have a profile 74 that corresponds to the protrusion 68 profile 76 so that the protrusions 68 easily and securely engage the indentations 70. Furthermore the bottom face 64 of the interlocking block 58 typically has indentations 70 that run across the bottom face 64 from one side face 60 to the other. By having multiple indentations 70 that can engage the protrusions 68 of a like block 52, a variety of structures can be made based on the positioning shapes such as oval or circular, as long as their profile 76 matches the profile 74 of the indentations 70 so that the protrusions 68 easily and securely engage the indentations 70.
The interlocking block 58 can have a splitting groove 78 so as to easily split the interlocking block 58 into two pieces. This gives the ability to use a single interlocking block 58 in a variety of construction situations providing greater flexibility to construction situations. Interlocking block 58 also allows for a wide variety of construction projects to be attempted that allow for tight circles of interlocking blocks 58 for walls either recessed forward or backward or flush, flower beds, gardens, tree rings, edging, planters, garden fountains, decorative walls, steps, sand boxes and ponds.
Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
