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(11) | EP 2 246 498 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Blocks |
| (57) A combination of a, preferably transparent, construction block and at least one fascia
component for use in building structures, the block comprises side walls and a top
surface, the top surface having formations provided thereon to engage, in use, with
an adjacent or succeeding block, the blocks and said at least one fascia component
having means to allow mutual engagement therebetween such that once a flat wall has
been erected from the blocks the at least one fascia is engageable with any one of
the blocks.
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[0001] The present invention relates to construction blocks, and particularly, although not exclusively, to construction blocks that can be assembled and/or disassembled for reuse.
[0002] Temporary structures, for example walls, are often assembled and/or disassembled, for example, at trade fairs, exhibitions or in the common office environment. Moreover, such structures are often assembled and/or disassembled outdoors, e.g. for use in playing areas or for use as articles of garden furniture.
[0003] It can be a problem with such structures, particularly those provided thereon with specific non-removable indicia or other pictographic information, that they are not suitable for universal use.
[0004] Therefore, it is often the case that one set of blocks will be used for one purpose, e.g. trade fairs, and another set of blocks will be used for another purpose, e.g. temporary office partitions and so on.
[0005] Moreover, in certain situations, it may be necessary to have a utility, for example, an electrical or plumbing device in the vicinity of the structure. In such situations, it is often the case that bundles of wire and/or piping are left lying on or around the structure, which can look untidy and/or be potentially hazardous.
[0006] Furthermore, it is often desirable to quickly and/or efficiently modify the or a part of the structure, for example, by providing, removing or replacing a utility and/or indicia or other information without having to disassemble the structure entirely.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide construction blocks which overcome, or at least substantially reduce, some of the disadvantages associated with the known types of construction blocks discussed above.
[0008] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of a transparent construction block and at least one fascia component for use in building structures, for example structures at exhibitions or playing areas, the block comprising side walls and a top surface, the top surface having formations provided thereon to engage, in use, with an adjacent or succeeding block, wherein the at least one fascia component covers at least one wall of the block.
[0009] Preferably, the block is clear or translucent, for example, formed from a coloured, light-transmitting material.
[0013] The aspect ratio of the perimeter of the block in plan may be around 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, e.g. 2:1.
[0014] Preferably, the block has an opening on its underside, for example, to provide access to the interior volume.
[0015] Preferably, the block may be formed by injection moulding a plastics material, for example a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.
[0017] Preferably, the block is sized and dimensioned to resemble that of a typical house brick and/or breezeblock.
[0019] The at least one aperture may be formed in the top surface of the block, for example, for stacking alignment purposes or for enabling fixing means to be passed therethrough, e.g. for attachment to a substrate such as a floor or other surface on which the blocks are being constructed.
[0020] Uses for the at least one aperture may include any one of spigot housing, pass-through apertures for cables and/or piping, ties for strengthening and so on.
[0021] In use, the at least one aperture may align with an aperture of a directly succeeding and/or directly preceding block.
[0022] The at least one or a further at least one aperture may be formed in a side wall of the block.
[0023] Preferably, a long side wall of the block may comprise from one to eight apertures formed therethrough.
[0024] More preferably, the long side wall may comprise from two to six apertures formed therethrough.
[0026] Preferably, a short side wall of the block may comprise from one to four apertures formed therethrough.
[0028] Preferably, the apertures may receive, in use, formations of a fascia and/or a top component, for example, a coping top.
[0029] Preferably, the block or at least one block forming a structure may comprise a facility located therein.
[0030] Examples of such facilities may include any one of electrical plug sockets, switches, lighting assemblies, and taps and so on.
[0031] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a transparent construction block for use in building structures, for example structures at exhibitions or playing areas, the block comprising side walls, a top surface and means for receiving a fascia component.
[0032] Preferably, the top surface may comprise formations formed thereon to engage, in use, with an adjacent or succeeding block, for example, for stacking alignment purposes.
[0033] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fascia component for use with a construction block, the component having formations on an inner surface thereof to engage, in use, with corresponding formations on or within a wall of the block.
[0034] Preferably, the inner surface further comprises indicia or pictographic information, for example, advertising or a background display.
[0036] Preferably, the major outer surface may feature a patterned texture and/or a colour, for example, to resemble that of a typical brick, for example, a clay brick.
[0037] One non-exclusive advantage of providing a fascia component with a construction block is that the construction block need not be resistant to ultra violet (UV) radiation, e.g. the construction block need not comprises additives to resist UV corrosion.
[0038] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a hollow block having a facility located therein, the block comprising side walls and a top surface, the top surface having formations provided thereon to engage, in use, with an adjacent or succeeding block.
[0039] Examples of such facilities may include any one of electrical plug sockets, switches, lighting assemblies, and taps and so on.
[0040] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a structure, for example a wall, comprising at least one block as described above.
[0043] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a construction block and at least one fascia component for use in building structures, for example structures at exhibitions or playing areas, the block and the at least one fascia component comprising mutually engaging means being operable to secure the at least one fascia component to the block after the structure has been erected.
[0045] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination of a, preferably transparent, construction block and at least one fascia component for use in building structures, the block comprising side walls and a top surface, the top surface having formations provided thereon to engage, in use, with an adjacent or succeeding block, the blocks and said at least one fascia component having snap-fit means to allow mutual engagement therebetween.
[0046] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a construction block according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the block shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view showing the underside of the block shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a view showing a side of the block shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line AA of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a construction block according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the block shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a view showing the underside of the block shown in Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a view showing a side of the block shown in Figure 6;
Figure 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view along the line BB of Figure 7;
Figures 11 and 12 show perspective views of alternative embodiments of the invention;
Figure 13 shows a typical stacking pattern of the blocks according to the present invention; and
Figure 14 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0047] Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a hollow construction block 1 according to the present invention.
[0048] As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the term construction block is used herein to describe a building component with at least one dimension greater than: length (7.5 cm), width (3.5 cm) and height (2.5 cm).
[0049] The block 1 is a unitary body formed by injection moulding a plastics material, for example a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, to provide a body having four upstanding side wall portions 2, 3, 4, 5 and a top portion 6.
[0050] Opposed side wall portions 2, 4 are approximately twice the length of opposed side wall portions 3, 5, resulting in a block 1 having, in plan, a rectangular perimeter.
[0051] The underside of the block 1 comprises an opening 7, the perimeter of which is defined by the inner extreme of the lower edge of the side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, as shown in Figure 3.
[0053] The raised formations 10a, 10b are identical, the formation 10b being a mirror image along line X of the formation 10a.
[0054] The formations 10a, 10b are separated by channels 8 and a substantially rectangular recess 11.
[0055] The formations 10a, 10b comprise major edge portions 101a, 102a, 103a; 101b, 102b, 103b which lie adjacent, but inboard of, the peripheries of the top portion 6.
[0056] A perimetral channel 9 extends around the periphery of top portion 6 adjacent to the edges 101a, 102a, 103a; 101b, 102b, 103b, as shown in Figure 2.
[0058] The raised formations 10a, 10b have apertures 12 extending therethrough. The apertures 12 are circular and provided a passageway from the exterior through to the interior of the block 1.
[0059] Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a partial cross-sectional view along the line AA of Figure 2.
[0060] As can be seen, the channels 8, the perimetral channel 9 and the recess 11 are all in the same horizontal plane.
[0061] Furthermore, the thickness of the plastics material, i.e. that forming the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and the top portion 6, is constant throughout the block 1, although it may be varied for strength purposes in specific regions. Also, lines of weakness can be introduced to provide frangible portions, for example, in the side and/or end walls.
[0062] The portion of raised formation 10a that defines aperture 12 has a lip 12a which extends partially into the hollow.
[0063] Referring now to Figures 6 to 10, there is shown a second embodiment of a block according to the present invention, wherein parts of the block similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same number but are denoted with a prime (').
[0064] The hollow block 1' is similar to the block 1 of the first embodiment in that it comprises four upstanding side wall portions 2', 3', 4', 5' and a top portion 6' having raised formations 10a', 10b' formed thereon. The formations 10a', 10b' have respective apertures 12' extending therethrough.
[0065] In addition, the side wall portions 2', 3', 4', 5' comprise apertures 13' extending therethrough.
[0066] Opposed long side wall portions 2', 4' comprise four apertures 13' spaced apart along an axis defining the length of the walls 2', 4' and at a midpoint between the base and top portion 6' of the block 1'.
[0067] Opposed short side wall portions 3', 5' comprise two spaced apart apertures 13' located at the same height as the apertures 13' of long side wall portions 2', 4'.
[0069] Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, there are shown blocks 1, 1' according to the present invention which comprise additional features.
[0070] Referring first to Figure 11, there is shown a block 1' comprising fascia portions 100 which cover substantially the entire area of the opposed long side wall portions 2', 4'. The fascia 100 has a substantially constant thickness which tapers gradually towards its edges.
[0071] The fascia 100 is formed from a plastics material having a textured surface and/or colour to resemble that of a typical brick, for example, a clay brick.
[0072] The underside of the fascia 100 comprises protrusions, for example rivets, extending therefrom (not shown). The protrusions are positioned to engage, in use, with the spaced apart apertures 13' of the long side wall portions 2', 4' to provide, for example, a snap-fit arrangement.
[0073] Referring now to Figure 12, there is show a block 1' which comprises fascia portions 100, 105 (only one of each is shown). Fascias 100 cover substantially the entire area of the opposed long side wall portions 2', 4' and fascias 105 cover substantially the entire are of opposed short side wall portions 3', 5'.
[0074] In addition, the block 1' comprises a coping top 110. The top 110 is formed from a plastics material into a shape with a slanted roof to allow for drainage, for example, for the removal of rain water.
[0075] The underside of the coping top 110 is formed with a lip (not shown) extending around its periphery which corresponds to the shape of the peripheral channel 9' of the block 1' to provide a secure fit, in use.
[0076] An example of the assembly and disassembly of the blocks 1, 1' will now be described. As listed above, the blocks 1, 1' may be used inter alia where it is desirable to build a temporary structure, for example a wall.
[0077] A first layer of modular blocks 1, 1' is laid, for example, directly onto the floor of an exhibition centre.
[0078] Second and subsequent layers may be constructed, for example, the structure 1000 may be built in the staggered manner as shown in Figure 13.
[0079] Advantageously, the blocks 1, 1' can be stacked in this staggered manner due to the adjacent formations 10a, 10b; 10a', 10b' being separated by channels 8. Furthermore, upper and/or lower blocks 1, 1' can be rotated by 90° and stacked due to formations 10, 10b; 10a', 10b' having sides 101a, 102a, 103a, 101b, 102b, 103b; 101a', 102a', 103a', 101b', 102b', 103b' of equal length.
[0080] In use, the perimeter of the base of an upper block 1, 1' forms a friction fit with the perimetral channel 9, 9' of a lower block 1, 1', obviating the need for mortar or other jointing compounds.
[0081] The edges 101a, 102a, 103a; 101b, 102b, 103b; 101a', 102a', 103a'; 101b', 102b', 103b' of the formations 10a, 10b; 10a', 10b' are chamfered to form a guide for the pressing action, thus distributing the force evenly around the circumference of the block 1, 1'.
[0082] The apertures 12, 12' of above and below blocks 1, 1' are aligned. Stabilising rods (not shown), for example plastics or metal rods, are fed from the top of the structure through the aligned holes to provide further stability.
[0083] Alternatively, cables and/or pipes, for example electricity wires and/or fluid pipes may be passed through the aligned apertures 12, 12', for example to hide them from sight or retain them for safety purposes.
[0085] In one embodiment of the invention, securing means, for example ties, are passed through adjacent apertures in order to further strengthen the structure.
[0086] The lip 12a, 12a' helps to prevent the stabilising rods, ties and/or pipes and/or securing means from damaging the aligned apertures 12, 12'. The lip 12a, 12' may be provided with a seal, for example a rubber washer, for example, to prevent or substantially reduce ingress of condensation.
[0087] In alternative methods of construction the blocks 1, 1' are secured to a base or foundation, for example a pair of rails, to provide stability at the base of the structure.
[0088] The abutting ends of adjacent blocks 1, 1' are connected by connecting means such as one of hook and eye fixing means, e.g. Velcro®, or other means such as clips, adhesive, magnets and so on.
[0089] Alternatively, rivets or other such means are provided to connect adjacent blocks 1' at apertures 13', thereby providing further stability.
[0090] In order to disassemble the structure, one of an upper or lower block 1, 1' is firmly held while simultaneously applying a force to the other block 1, 1' in a direction which forces the two blocks 1, 1' apart. The recess 11, 11' enables the two blocks 1, 1' to free easily, for example, by preventing a vacuum from forming.
[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, lighting means is housed within one or more blocks 1, 1' of a structure. Fascia portions 100 are attached to one side of the structure, for example, by securing to one side of the blocks 1, 1' in a wall. Indicia and/or pictographic representations are provided on the inner surface of the fascia portions 100 which, in use, can be viewed through the other side wall of the block 1, 1'. This embodiment is particularly advantageous during darkness because the lighting means illuminate the inner block 1, 1'.
[0092] In another embodiment of the present invention, a multiple plug socket is located within a block 1, 1', which block 1, 1' forms part of a temporary wall in an exhibition centre. The electricity supply cables are contained within the structure by passing them between blocks 1, 1' via adjacent apertures 12, 12'. In use, electrical appliances are plugged into the socket in the wall.
[0093] In the case of electrical facilities, the blocks 1, 1' are provided with sealant, for example a rubber seal, to prevent or substantially reduce ingress of water, for example rain water or condensation.
[0094] In alternative embodiments, the fascia portions 100, 105 may be affixed to the block 1, 1' by other means such as one of hook and eye fixing means, e.g. Velcro®, or other means such as clips, adhesive, magnets and so on. Fixing the fascia portions 100, 105 by using an alternative means may preclude the requirement of having apertures 13' in the side walls 2', 3', 4', 5'.
[0095] Advantageously, the fascia portions 100, 105 and coping top 110 can easily be removed from a block 1, 1' by leverage, for example, by inserting a finger nail into recess 120 and applying force.
[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the fascia portions 100, 105 are manufactured as a single strip of material with a plurality of lines of weakness (not shown) to provide frangible portions. The strip is fractured at a desired location about a line of weakness to provide a long 100 or short 105 or other sized fascia portion, depending on that required.
[0097] Advantageously, the fascia portions 100, 105 are designed such that they can be secured to one or more blocks 1, 1' after the blocks have been assembled to form a structure. For instance, a structure 1000 such as that shown in Figure 13 may be erected. Once erected, one or more blocks 1, 1' may be selected to house a utility and/or lighting means. Further, after the utility and/or lighting means have been installed into the or each desired block 1, 1' the fascia portions 100, 105 can be secured to the blocks 1, 1'. This method of installation offers greater versatility over known arrangements.
[0098] Referring now to Figures 14, there is shown a further embodiment of a block according to the present invention, wherein parts of the block similar to those of the first and second embodiments are given the same number but are denoted with a prime (").
[0099] The hollow block 1" is similar to the block 1 of the first embodiment in that it comprises four upstanding side wall portions 2", 3", 4", 5" and a top portion 6" having raised formations 10a", 10b" formed thereon. The formations 10a", 10b" have respective apertures 12" extending therethrough.
[0100] The block 1" additionally comprises apertures 20" located in the recess 11" of the top portion 6". The aperture 20" have a smaller diameter than apertures 12" and are principally used such that fixing means can be passed therethrough in order to secure the block 1" to a substrate, e.g. a wooden foundation on which a structure is erected. Therefore, typically only the first layer of a structure comprises the blocks 1" having these additional apertures 20". Other layers of the structure need only comprise blocks 1, 1'.
[0101] It is to be appreciated that the invention may differ from that described in the specific embodiment without departing from the over all scope of the invention.
[0103] In addition, the formations which allow adjacent blocks 1, 1', 1" to engage may be located within or formed on different areas of the block 1, 1', 1" to allow, for example, structures to be built using alternative methods, for example, other known brickwork patterns that are not shown in Figure 13.
1. A combination of a, preferably transparent, construction block and at least one fascia
component for use in building structures, the block comprising side walls and a top
surface, the top surface having formations provided thereon to engage, in use, with
an adjacent or succeeding block, the blocks and said at least one fascia component
having means to allow mutual engagement therebetween such that once a flat wall has
been erected from the blocks the at least one fascia is engageable with any one of
the blocks.
2. A combination according to Claim 1, wherein the means to allow mutual engagement comprises
snap-fit engagement means.
3. A combination according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the block is clear or translucent.
4. A combination according to any preceding Claim, wherein the block is opaque.
5. A combination according to any preceding Claim, wherein the block is hollow.
6. A combination according to any preceding Claim, wherein the block has an opening on
its underside to provide access to the interior volume.
7. A combination according to any preceding Claim, wherein the block has at least one
first aperture formed therethrough.
8. A combination according to Claim 7, wherein the at least one first aperture is formed
in the top surface of the block, for example, for stacking alignment purposes or for
enabling fixing means to be passed therethrough.
9. A combination according to any preceding Claim, wherein the block comprises at least
one second aperture formed in a side wall of the block for receiving engagement means
provided on said at least one fascia.
10. A combination according to Claim 9, wherein a long side wall of the block has from
one to eight apertures and/or a short side wall of the block has from one to four
apertures formed therethrough.
11. A structure comprising one or more combinations as defined in any preceding Claim.
12. A structure according to Claim 11, wherein at least one block has a facility located
therein.
13. A transparent construction block for use in building structures, for example structures
at exhibitions or playing areas, the block comprising side walls, a top surface and
means for receiving a fascia component.
14. A fascia component for use with a construction block, the component having snap-fit
engagement means on an inner surface thereof to engage, in use, with corresponding
accepting means on or within a wall of the block.
15. A hollow block having a facility located therein, the block comprising one or more
side walls and a top surface, the top surface having formations provided thereon to
engage, in use, with an adjacent or succeeding block.