PLASTIC CRIBBING BLOCK

Abstract

The plastic cribbing blocks are useful in their stacked configuration for supporting a structure during a leveling procedure on an uneven ground surface. The tops and bottoms of the cribbing blocks include interlocking mechanisms or texturing to prevent lateral movement between adjacent blocks when they are in their stacked configuration. A plurality of the plastic cribbing blocks can be placed in their nesting configuration, such that the tops of lower blocks are nested within the bottoms of upper blocks. This configuration may be used for transporting or storing the blocks. The blocks are generally rectangular with a top central horizontal panel, a bottom perimeter horizontal panel and four sides extending between the top central horizontal panel and the bottom perimeter horizontal panel. The block includes interior and exterior ribs or structures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The disclosure of the present patent application relates to cribbing blocks, and particularly to a plastic cribbing block configured for nesting and interlocking with other cribbing blocks.

Description of Related Art

In general, when leveling a structure, such as a mobile home or other prebuilt and similar structures, a number of cribbing blocks are used to support portions of the structure and compensate for uneven ground surfaces. Often, these blocks are conventional concrete blocks, cinder blocks, pressure-treated timbers, or the like that provide the strength needed to support the structure, while being stackable as needed in areas where the ground is lower than surrounding areas. These conventional blocks are heavy and take up a lot of space, and may also require spikes or other fasteners for interlocking. Additionally, workers can only carry these blocks two at a time (one in each hand) and can injure themselves if they stumble and/or drop these heavy blocks. Further, when storing or transporting these blocks, they take a lot of storage/stowage space, as they cannot be nested or folded. Thus, a nesting, interlocking, plastic cribbing block solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The plastic cribbing block may be used for leveling a structure on an uneven ground surface, for example. The tops and bottoms of the cribbing blocks include top and bottom interlocking mechanisms, respectively, to prevent lateral movement between adjacent blocks. A plurality of the plastic cribbing blocks can be stacked in their nesting configuration, where the tops of the lower blocks are nested within the bottoms of the upper blocks. This configuration may be used, for example, for transporting or storing the blocks, or for raising the height above ground of the load being supported.

The blocks are generally rectangular and have a top central horizontal panel, a bottom perimeter horizontal panel and four sides extending between the top central horizontal panel and the bottom perimeter horizontal panel. The outer edge of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel includes an upstanding flange for reinforcement and providing a gripping surface. Each of the four sides include exterior reinforcement structures in the form of a plurality of reinforcement ribs. The ribs may be pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal, having a narrow top and a wide bottom, such that the tops of the ribs of a lower block fit into the bottoms of the ribs of an upper block. The outer edge of the top central horizontal panel includes a plurality of drainage ports between the tops of the ribs. The drainage ports allow water and other liquids to exit the interior of the blocks when they are upside down.

The top interlocking mechanisms include top interlocking mechanism holes and top interlocking mechanism pins. When the top central horizontal panel of one block is aligned with a top central horizontal panel of another block, the top pins enter the corresponding top holes in the other top panel. The top interlocking mechanism pins are spring loaded by top slots that extend around one side of the top pins and linearly away from the pins. The slots form top spring-loaded pin supports that are connected at their proximate ends to the top central horizontal panel and support the top interlocking mechanism pins on their distal ends. The plastic material of the supports allows them to bend, such that the pins can retract below the top surface of the top central horizontal panel when the top panel is placed against a flat surface. The top interlocking mechanism pins include top surfaces having first small diameters, cylindrical bottom portions having larger second diameters, and tapered conical portions joining the top surfaces and the cylindrical bottom portions. The tapered conical portions help guide the top interlocking mechanism pins into their corresponding top interlocking mechanism holes.

The bottom interlocking mechanisms include bottom interlocking mechanism holes and bottom interlocking mechanism pins. When the bottom perimeter horizontal panel of one block is aligned with the bottom perimeter horizontal panel of another block, the bottom pins enter the corresponding bottom holes in the other bottom panel. The bottom interlocking mechanism pins are spring-loaded by bottom slots that extend around one side of the bottom pins and linearly away from the pins. The slots form bottom spring-loaded pin supports that are connected at their proximate ends to the bottom perimeter horizontal panel and support the bottom interlocking mechanism pins on their distal ends. The plastic material of the supports allows them to bend, such that the pins can retract below the bottom surface of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel when the bottom panel is placed against a flat surface. The bottom interlocking mechanism pins include bottom surfaces having first small diameters, cylindrical top portions having larger second diameters, and tapered conical portions joining the bottom surfaces and the cylindrical bottom portions. The tapered conical portions help guide the bottom interlocking mechanism pins into their corresponding bottom interlocking mechanism holes.

In an alternative embodiment, the top and bottom interlocking mechanisms may be replaced by textured regions. At least one first region of texturing may be formed on the top surface of the top central horizontal panel, and at least one second region of texturing may be formed on the bottom surface of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel. As a non-limiting example, the texturing may be a three-dimensional textured surface, such as a three-dimensional pattern of repeating partial cuboids, knurling or the like, which will mate with the corresponding pattern of the adjacent cribbing block. It should, however, be understood that any suitable type of mating and/or frictionally-engaging texturing may be used.

The block also has interior reinforcement structures including a central reinforcement tower, a left conical reinforcement tower, and a right conical reinforcement tower. The central reinforcement tower is generally rectangular in cross section with tapering sides from the top central horizontal panel to its planar bottom surface. Each side of the central reinforcement tower includes a plurality of tapering reinforcement ribs, similar to the reinforcement ribs on the sides of the cribbing block. The left conical reinforcement tower is conical in shape and tapers from the top central horizontal panel to its bottom surface, while the right conical reinforcement tower is conical in shape and tapers from the top central horizontal panel to its bottom surface. A plurality of radially extending planar reinforcement ribs extend from the top portion of the conical reinforcement towers to the sides of the block and the sides of the central reinforcement tower. The bottom surfaces of the interior reinforcement structures include central drainage ports that allow water and other liquids to exit the interior of the interior reinforcement structures when the blocks are right side up. When the two blocks are stacked with their bottom perimeter horizontal panels contacting each other, the bottom surfaces of the interior reinforcement structures of the stacked blocks contact one another, thereby providing support for the center of the blocks.

The plastic cribbing block is preferably made of a strong, lightweight, durable plastic material, although other materials may be considered. In one embodiment, the block is made by a molding process, such as injection or blow molding. In one embodiment, the block is made solely by a molding process, while in other embodiments, the molding process is followed by a machining process. In one embodiment, the block is a one-piece unit, all structures of the block being integral to one another.

These and other features of the present subject matter will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a plurality of plastic cribbing blocks, shown in an interlocking configuration and supporting a structure during levelling of the structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of the plastic cribbing blocks of FIG. 1, shown in a nesting configuration for storage or transport.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the plastic cribbing blocks of FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the plastic cribbing block of FIG. 3, enlarged to show two top surface interlocking mechanisms.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plastic cribbing block of FIG. 3, shown from below.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the plastic cribbing block of FIG. 3, enlarged to show two bottom interlocking mechanisms.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of plastic cribbing blocks of an alternative embodiment, shown in a nesting configuration for storage or transport.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the plastic cribbing blocks of FIG. 7, shown from below.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plurality of the plastic cribbing blocks 100 are shown in FIG. 1 in their stacked and interlocking configuration for supporting a structure S during a leveling procedure on an uneven ground surface G. The tops and bottoms of the cribbing blocks 100 include interlocking mechanisms to prevent lateral movement between adjacent blocks 100, as described in further detail below. The cribbing blocks 100 may be used alone to support the structure S or in combination with a plurality of conventional concrete blocks B, as shown in FIG. 1. Once the structure S is levelled and provided with a permanent foundation, the cribbing blocks 100 can be removed for reuse.

In FIG. 2, a plurality of the nesting, interlocking, plastic cribbing blocks 100 are shown in their nesting configuration, where the tops of the bottom three blocks 100 are respectively nested within the bottoms of the blocks 100 above them. This configuration is useful for transporting or storing the blocks 100. In addition, the plastic material of the blocks 100 makes them lightweight and much easier to transport than conventional concrete blocks.

The details of the top and sides of one of the nesting, interlocking, plastic cribbing blocks 100 are shown in FIGS. 2-4. As best seen in FIG. 2, the block 100 is generally rectangular with a top central horizontal panel 200, a bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202 and four sides extending between the top central horizontal panel 200 and the bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202. The outer edge of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202 includes an upstanding flange 204 for reinforcement and providing a gripping surface. Each of the four sides includes exterior reinforcement structures in the form of a plurality of reinforcement ribs 206. The ribs 206 are hollow and frusto-pyramidal, having a narrow top 208 and a wide bottom 210, such that the tops 208 of the ribs 206 of a lower block fit into the bottoms 210 of the ribs 206 of an upper block. The outer edge of the top central horizontal panel 200 includes a plurality of recessed drainage ports 212 between the tops 208 of the ribs 206. The drainage ports 212 allow water and other liquids to exit the interior of the blocks 100 when they are stacked.

The details of one embodiment of the top interlocking mechanisms of one of the nesting, interlocking, plastic cribbing blocks 100 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The top interlocking mechanisms in this embodiment include top interlocking mechanism holes 306 and top interlocking mechanism pins 308. When the top central horizontal panel 200 of one block 100 is aligned with a top central horizontal panel 200 of another block 100 (e.g., the lower two blocks 100 at the front corner of the structure S in FIG. 1), the top pins 308 enter the corresponding top holes 306 in the other top panel 200.

The top interlocking mechanism pins 308 are spring-loaded detent pins mounted in holes defined in the ends of resilient fingers defined by top slots 310 formed in the top panel 200. The slots 310 form resilient finger pin supports 406 that are connected at their proximate ends to the top central horizontal panel 200 and support the top interlocking mechanism pins 308 at the distal ends of the fingers 406. The resilient plastic material of the supports or fingers 406 allows them to bend, such that the pins 308 can retract below the top surface of the top central horizontal panel 200, when the top panel 200 is placed against a flat surface (see the top block at the front corner of the structure S and the two right blocks in FIG. 1). As best seen in FIG. 4, the top interlocking mechanism pins 308 are frustoconical, including top surfaces 404 with first small diameters, cylindrical bottom portions 400 with larger second diameters, and tapered conical portions 402 joining the top surfaces 404 and the cylindrical bottom portions 400. The tapered conical portions 402 help guide the top interlocking mechanism pins 308 into their corresponding top interlocking mechanism holes 306.

The details of one embodiment of the bottom interlocking mechanisms of the plastic cribbing block 100 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The bottom interlocking mechanisms in this embodiment include bottom interlocking mechanism holes 506 and bottom interlocking mechanism pins 508. When the bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202 of one block 100 is aligned with the bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202 of another block 100 (e.g., the top two blocks at the front corner of the structure S and the two right blocks in FIG. 1), the bottom pins 508 enter the corresponding bottom holes 506 in the other bottom panel 202.

The bottom interlocking mechanism pins 508 are spring-loaded detent pins mounted in the ends of resilient fingers defined by bottom slots 510 formed in the bottom horizontal panel 202. The slots 510 form resilient bottom fingers or pin supports 606 that are connected at their proximate ends to the bottom perimeter of the horizontal panel 202 and support the bottom interlocking mechanism pins 508 in holes defined at their distal ends. The plastic material of the supports 606 allows them to bend, such that the pins 508 can retract below the bottom surface of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202, when the bottom panel 202 is placed against a flat surface (see the bottom block at the front corner of the structure S). As best seen in FIG. 6, the bottom interlocking mechanism detent pins 508 are frustoconical, including bottom surfaces 604 with first small diameters, cylindrical top portions 600 with larger second diameters, and tapered conical portions 602 joining the bottom surfaces 604 and the cylindrical bottom portions 600. The tapered conical portions 602 help guide the bottom interlocking mechanism pins 508 into their corresponding bottom interlocking mechanism holes 506.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the top and bottom interlocking mechanisms shown in FIGS. 2-6 have been replaced by textured regions. As shown in FIG. 7, at least one first region of texturing 700 is formed on the top surface of the top central horizontal panel 200 and, as shown in FIG. 8, at least one second region of texturing 702 is formed on the bottom surface of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel 202. Thus, when two plastic cribbing blocks are stacked like the bottom two plastic cribbing blocks 100 beneath the corner of structure S in FIG. 1, for example, the corresponding first regions of texturing 700 will mate with one another to prevent horizontal sliding of one block with respect to the other. Similarly, when two plastic cribbing blocks are stacked like the top two plastic cribbing blocks 100 beneath the corner of structure S in FIG. 1, for example, the corresponding second regions of texturing 702 will mate with one another to prevent horizontal or lateral sliding of one block with respect to the other.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, for purposes of illustration, the texturing is shown as a relatively simple diamond-like pattern, however, it should be understood that the texturing is a three-dimensional textured surface, such as a three-dimensional pattern of repeating partial cuboids, knurling or the like, which will mate with the corresponding pattern of the adjacent plastic cribbing block. It should be understood that the diamond-like pattern of texturing for first and second regions of texturing 700, 702 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and described above, for exemplary purposes only and that any suitable type of mating and/or frictionally-engaging texturing may be used. Further, it should be understood that the location, relative dimensions and number of first and second regions of texturing 700, 702 are shown for exemplary purposes only.

The details of the interior reinforcement structures of the nesting, interlocking, plastic cribbing block 100 are best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. The interior reinforcement structures include a central reinforcement tower 300, a left frustoconical reinforcement tower 302, and a right frustoconical reinforcement tower 304. The central reinforcement tower 300 is generally rectangular in cross section with tapering sides from the top central horizontal panel 200 to its planar bottom surface 512. Each side of the central reinforcement tower 300 includes a plurality of tapering reinforcement ribs 206′, similar to the reinforcement ribs 206 on the sides of the cribbing block 100.

The left conical reinforcement tower 302 is frustoconical in shape and tapers from the top central horizontal panel 200 to its bottom surface 514, while the right conical reinforcement tower 304 is also frustoconical in shape and tapers from the top central horizontal panel 200 to its bottom surface 514. A plurality of radially extending, planar reinforcement ribs 518 extend from the top portion of the frustoconical reinforcement towers 302, 304 to the sides of the block 100 and the sides of the central reinforcement tower 300. The bottom surfaces 512, 514, 516 of the interior reinforcement structures 300, 302, 304 each include a central drainage port 312. The drainage ports 312 allow water and other liquids to exit the interior of the interior reinforcement structures 300, 302, 304, when the blocks 100 are right side up. When the two blocks are stacked with their bottom perimeter horizontal panels 202 contacting each other (e.g., the top two blocks at the front corner of the structure S and the two right blocks in FIG. 1), the bottom surfaces 512, 514, 516 of the interior reinforcement structures 300, 302, 304 of the stacked blocks 100 contact one another, thereby providing support for the center of the blocks 100.

As previously noted, the plastic cribbing block 100 is preferably made of a strong, lightweight, durable plastic material, although other materials may be considered. Suitable plastics and polymers include polypropylene. The plastic cribbing block 100 may be made, for example, by a molding process, such as injection or blow molding. In some embodiments, the block 100 may be made solely by a molding process, while in other embodiments, the molding process is followed by a machining process. Alternatively, the plastic cribbing block 100 may be a one-piece unit, with all structures of the plastic cribbing block 100 being integral to one another, except for the interlocking detent pins.

It is to be understood that plastic cribbing block is not limited to the specific embodiments described above but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. A plastic cribbing block, comprising: a top central horizontal panel;a bottom perimeter horizontal panel;four sides extending between the top central horizontal panel and the bottom perimeter horizontal panel; andmeans for releasably securing the plastic cribbing block to another one of the plastic cribbing blocks.

2. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securing the plastic cribbing block to the other one of the plastic cribbing blocks comprises: a plurality of top interlocking detent pins mounted on the top central horizontal panel;a plurality of top holes formed through the top central horizontal panel corresponding to the plurality of top interlocking detent pins;a plurality of bottom interlocking detent pins mounted on the bottom perimeter horizontal panel; anda plurality of bottom holes formed through the bottom perimeter horizontal panel corresponding to the plurality of bottom interlocking detent pins.

3. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for releasably securing the plastic cribbing block to the other one of the plastic cribbing blocks comprises: at least one first region of texturing formed on a top surface of the top central horizontal panel; andat least one second region of texturing formed on a bottom surface of the bottom perimeter horizontal panel.

4. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 1, wherein the bottom perimeter horizontal panel is substantially rectangular.

5. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 4, wherein the bottom perimeter horizontal panel comprises an upwardly extending peripheral flange.

6. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the four sides has at least one rib formed thereon.

7. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one rib has a frusto-pyramidal shape decreasing in width from a bottom thereof to a top thereof.

8. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 1, wherein the top central horizontal panel has a plurality of recessed drainage ports formed therein.

9. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 1, wherein an internal reinforcement structure comprises: a central reinforcement tower; andat least one side reinforcement tower.

10. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least one side reinforcement tower is frustoconical with a radius thereof decreasing from a bottom surface of the top central horizontal panel toward the bottom perimeter horizontal panel.

11. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 10, further comprising a plurality of radially extending ribs extending from the at least one side reinforcement tower and being secured to the bottom surface of the top central horizontal panel.

12. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 9, wherein the central reinforcement tower has at least one reinforcement rib formed thereon.

13. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one reinforcement rib has a frusto-pyramidal shape decreasing in width from a bottom surface of the top central horizontal panel toward the bottom perimeter horizontal panel.

14. The plastic cribbing block as recited in claim 9, wherein each of the central reinforcement tower and the at least one side reinforcement tower has a central drainage port formed therein.