Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention concerns a building block system of the kind indicated in the
preamble of claim 1.
Background of the Invention
[0002] It is prior art to use block-shaped building elements for erecting inner, outer and
partitioning walls in buildings, in particular single-storey houses. For erecting
bearing inner walls and partitionings it has e.g. been common to use relatively light
building elements with a suitable height x width of e.g. 2500 x 600 mm; such building
elements of room height are known, e.g. under the trade name Siporex ®, which with
a thickness of 100 mm have good bearing capability and reasonable good barrier properties.
[0003] US 6282853 discloses a modular building block system with ducts for coupling transverse struts
that reinforce the structure. The problem of
US 6282853 is that for possible hidden carrying of the struts a completely different set of
ducts are to be made. Since not all elements are capable of carrying electric installations
and/or plumbing installations, there are a number of extra requirements since it is
to be known precisely in beforehand where electric outlets or water is wanted. This
increases the risk of errors, causing the building process to be slower.
[0004] US 2006156656 discloses a modular building block system with ducts for hidden carrying of electric
ducts and/or plumbing installations.
US 2006156656 uses large cavities in the structure, impacting the strength negatively. Besides,
the invention disclosed in
US 2006156656 cannot be used for connecting two mutually rectangular walls as the ducts are too
large. In addition, the wide ducts prevent a mason from making adjustments of the
block itself as the block can only be divided at one point.
Object of the Invention
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to indicate a new and improved building
block system which in a simple way enables enhanced application of known building
methods and which opens for appreciably broader applications and for achieving entirely
new constructional advantages when erecting bearing inner, outer and partitioning
walls, in particular in single-storey houses.
Description of the Invention
[0006] A building block system for erecting inner, outer and partitioning walls. The building
block system consists of block-shaped building elements that each having a length
along a longitudinal axis, a height along a height axis and a width along a width
axis. The three axes are mutually orthogonal.
[0007] The building block system according to the invention is peculiar in that the block-shaped
building elements are designed with a system of internal ducts which with the object
of carrying technical installations, e.g. electric installations and/or plumbing installations,
are arranged for connection with a corresponding system of internal ducts of adjacent
block-shaped building elements.
[0008] In a very simple way it is hereby possible to achieve a substantially reduced building
time, to achieve appreciably broader applications and to achieve entirely new constructional
advantages when erecting bearing inner, outer and partitioning walls, in particular
in single-storey houses.
[0009] In an advantageous embodiment the vertical ducts are disposed such that the spacing
to other vertical ducts in the building block system is a multiple of a first duct
spacing, where the length of the building element is a multiple integer of the first
duct spacing.
[0010] The advantage that the length of the building element depends on the first duct spacing
and not the opposite is that one may build a wall with building elements having different
lengths without caring about whether all ducts are overlapping. The mason is only
to check one duct, and then he will know that the remaining ducts overlap. This reduces
complexity, meaning increasing the speed at which a wall can be erected.
[0011] In yet an advantageous embodiment, the two ends of the building element along the
longitudinal axis have a first end spacing to the nearest vertical duct which is half
an uneven number times the first duct spacing.
[0012] It is hereby possible to have vertical duct by any multiple of the first duct spacing.
This will drastically reduce complexity, enabling the mason to build faster and with
fewer errors.
[0013] In addition, it is cheaper to produce and build with building elements that can be
used in any case compared with building elements for special purposes.
[0014] With the object of easy establishment of a system of vertical installation ducts,
the building block system according to the invention may advantageously be designed
such that the block-shaped building elements for erecting inner walls and/or partitioning
walls are constituted by modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending
in parallel with a short side edge.
[0015] The prefabricated vertical duct system in the building blocks may thereby advantageously
be used for carrying hidden electric installations where it will be very simple to
incorporate and connect installation boxes in inner and/or outer walls, the said installation
boxes being connected with the internal duct system in the building block system according
to the invention.
[0016] Alternatively, with the object of facilitating establishment of horizontal installation
ducts, the building block system according to the invention can be designed such that
the block-shaped building elements for erecting inner walls and/or partitioning walls
is constituted by modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending
in parallel with a long side edge.
[0017] In another advantageous embodiment, the horizontal ducts in the building block system
are disposed such that the spacing to other horizontal ducts is a multiple of a second
duct spacing, where the height of the building elements is a multiple integer of the
second duct spacing.
[0018] The advantage that the length of the building element depends on the second duct
spacing and not the opposite is that one may build a wall with building elements having
different height without caring about whether all ducts are overlapping. The mason
is only to check one duct, and then he will know that the remaining ducts overlap.
This reduces complexity, thereby increasing the speed at which a wall can be erected.
[0019] In yet an advantageous embodiment, the two ends of the building element along the
height axis have a second end spacing to the nearest horizontal duct which is half
an uneven number times the second duct spacing.
[0020] It is hereby possible to have a horizontal duct at any multiple of the second duct
spacing. This will drastically reduce complexity, enabling the mason to build faster
and with fewer errors.
[0021] In addition, it is cheaper to produce and build with building elements that can be
used in any case compared with building elements for special purposes.
[0022] Besides, it is also easier to install the line after e.g. ten years since it can
be calculated from the first and the second duct spacing where the vertical or horizontal
ducts are located. I.e. it is known where to drill a hole in the wall.
[0023] Such a prefabricated system of horizontal ducts, e.g. in special wall sections of
a house built of building blocks according to the invention, may advantageously be
used for hidden carrying of plumbing installations.
[0024] Irrespective of the mutual orientation of the system of internal ducts, by the building
block system according to the invention it may be advantageous that the system of
internal ducts of the modular block-shaped building elements are mutually offset in
such a modular way that the ducts still can be connected with each other, for example
by a mutually modular displacement.
[0025] The pace of constructing a building can thereby be increased as the masons know that
the internal ducts will overlap.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the system of internal ducts consists exclusively
of a vertical group consisting of one or more vertical ducts. The horizontal ducts
are primarily used for hidden carrying of plumbing installations, and in case that
an area of the building is without water the horizontal ducts will be redundant.
[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the system of internal ducts consists exclusively
of a horizontal group consisting of one or more horizontal ducts. The vertical ducts
are primarily used for hidden carrying of electric wiring, and since there is no use
for electricity in a bath, the vertical ducts are redundant.
[0028] The building block system according to the invention may suitably be designed such
that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by
modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness of about 1000/500/100
mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending in parallel with
a short side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected with an
external complementary insulating block with a thickness of e.g. about 310 mm.
[0029] Alternatively, the building block system according to the invention may suitably
be designed such that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls
are constituted by modular block-shaped building elements with a height/length/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending
in parallel with a long side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected
with an external complementary insulating block with a thickness of e.g. about 310
mm.
[0030] In a modified embodiment, the building block system according to the invention may
be designed such that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls
are constituted by outer and inner modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending
in parallel with a short side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being
connected with an interposed complementary insulating block with a thickness of e.g.
about 310 mm.
[0031] Or, cf. a further embodiment, the building block system according to the invention
may be designed such that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls
are constituted by outer and inner modular block-shaped building elements with a height/length/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending
in parallel with a long side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected
with an interposed complementary insulating block with a thickness of e.g. about 310
mm.
[0032] With the object of achieving an extended advantageous function of a building block
system according to the invention, this may advantageously include connecting means
for transmitting tensile forces from a building foundation to a head of a roof construction,
where the carrying of the force transmitting connection means may be effected in a
particularly advantageous way through the system of internal vertical ducts.
[0033] The strength of the building block system is increased in a simple way.
[0034] For erecting inner, outer and/or partitioning walls, the building block system according
to the invention may furthermore include building blocks with greater length, for
example with double length of 2000 mm, which can be used as lintels over door and
window openings.
Description of the Drawing
[0035] The invention is explained more closely in the following with reference to the drawing,
on which:
- Fig. 1
- shows a perspective view of an embodiment of building block for a building block system
according to the invention;
- Fig. 2
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 1, as seen from a short side edge;
- Fig. 3
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 1, as seen from a long side;
- Fig. 4
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 1, as seen from a long side edge;
- Fig. 5
- shows a perspective view of another embodiment of building block for the building
block system according to the invention;
- Fig. 6
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 5, as seen from a short side edge;
- Fig. 7
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 5, as seen from a long side;
- Fig. 8
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 5, as seen from a long side edge;
- Fig. 9
- shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a building block for a building
block system according to the invention;
- Fig. 10
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 9, as seen from a short side edge;
- Fig. 11
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 9, as seen from a long side;
- Fig. 12
- shows a plan view of the building block, cf. Fig. 9, as seen from a long side edge;
- Fig. 13
- shows a plan view for illustrating erection of a wall with breaking joint with a door
opening and with interconnected vertical ducts in the individual building blocks;
- Fig. 14
- shows a perspective view for illustrating a double outer wall erected with breaking
joint by means of the building block system according to the invention;
- Fig. 15
- shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an anchoring detail of the building block
system according to the invention;
- Fig. 16
- shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a further anchoring detail of the building
block system according to the invention;
- Fig. 17
- is a perspective view showing how a recess for an electric installation box is drilled
by a cup drill opposite a vertical installation duct of the building block system
according to the invention;
- Fig. 18
- is a perspective view showing how an electric installation box is fastened in the
recess, cf. Fig. 15, opposite a vertical installation duct of the building block system
according to the invention; and
- Fig. 19
- shows a perspective view for illustrating insertion of a flexible installation tube
in a vertical installation duct opening through a beam head in the attic of a building.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
[0036] Fig. 1-4 show a first embodiment of a building block 2 intended for erecting bearing
inner walls and partitioning walls. The building block 2 has e.g. a length/height/thickness
of 1000/500/100, corresponding to a normal room height of about 2500 mm requiring
a normal breaking joint in height consisting of up to five building blocks 2.
[0037] Each of the building blocks 2 are distributed over a long side edge 6 provided with
six vertical ducts 4 with circular cross-section as the spacing between centres of
the ducts 4 is about 166.7 mm whereas the spacing between opposing short side edges
8 and the centres of the outermost ducts 4 constitutes about half thereof, namely
about 83.3 mm.
[0038] Figs. 5-8 show a second embodiment of a building block 10 consisting of a building
block 2, cf. Figs. 1-4, externally provided with a complementarily formed insulation
block 12 with a thickness of about 310 mm. The building block 10 is intended for erecting
insulated outer walls.
[0039] Figs. 9-12 show a third embodiment of a building block 14 consisting of two building
blocks 2 between which is fastened a complementarily shaped insulation block 16 such
that the total thickness of the building block 14 is e.g. 2x100+310 mm, i.e. a total
thickness of 510 mm. The building block 14 is intended for erecting insulated outer
walls.
[0040] In order to explain the principle of the invention with the described interconnected
ducts 4, reference is made to Fig. 13 showing how e.g. an inner partitioning wall
18 is constructed of a number of building blocks 2 and of a longer, possible reinforced
block-shaped lintel 20 - e.g. with a double length of about 2000 mm - for establishing
door and/or window openings 22.
[0041] Moreover, Fig. 13 shows how the breaking joint between respective layers of building
blocks 2 is arranged such that the vertical ducts 4 are aligned with each other in
respective layers of building blocks 2.
[0042] In addition, reference is made to Fig. 14 showing how an outer walls 24 consisting
of building blocks 14 are constructed with breaking joint.
[0043] Fig. 15 shows a very special reinforcing system 26 with a strong reinforcement bar
28 which at an end part 30 is connected with an upright threaded sleeve 32 adapted
for receiving a lower threaded end of one or more connecting rods 34 running up through
the ducts 4, and which by means of a nut 36, cf. Fig. 16, is fastened to a top side
of a head 38 of a roof construction.
[0044] Fig. 17 illustrates how a recess 42 can be drilled by means of a cup drill 40 - opposite
a vertical duct 4 - in which recess an installation box 44 can be fitted, cf. Fig.
18. Finally, Fig. 19 shows how a flexible electric installation tube 46 can be passed
down into one of the vertical ducts 4 through an upper opening 48 in the head 38.
[0045] It is to be noted that respective building blocks in principle can be designed with
a system of mutually parallel ducts which, as described, can extend vertically in
parallel with short side edges of the building blocks, i.e. with a vertical extension
between long side edges.
[0046] Alternatively, building blocks of the inventive building block system as indicated
by the claims being designed with parallel ducts extending horizontally between the
short side or long side edges of the building blocks. Such building blocks can e.g.
be used for building inner walls along kitchen and wet rooms so that plumbing installations
can be carried hidden through the horizontal ducts.
[0047] Building blocks for the building block system according to the invention may in principle
be designed with an internal system of both vertical and horizontal ducts.
[0048] Moreover, it is to be noted that it is of utmost importance that application of concrete
adhesive or similar adhesive for connecting the building blocks is performed in a
way whereby it is ensured that the internal ducts are not filled with concrete adhesive.
[0049] It will also fall within the main aspect of the invention to use a kind of connecting
bushes - possibly with an external central collar - which can be placed in selected
ducts with the intention of fixing the building blocks in mutual correct position,
i.e. such that the connection between the vertical ducts is intact.
[0050] In special cases, the vertical ducts may - e.g. where excessive wind load or other
kind of extra load on a certain wall part is expected - be filled with a thin concrete
mixture such that an entirely local internal reinforcement is established in order
to provide strength to the wall part in question.
[0051] Such an extra local reinforcement of a wall part can alternatively be established
by inserting strong reinforcement bars in selected ones of the internal ducts 4 in
the building blocks 2, 10, 14.
Reference numbers in the drawing
[0052]
- 2
- first building block
- 3
- ducts
- 4
- vertical ducts
- 5
- horizontal ducts
- 6
- short side edge
- 8
- long side edge
- 10
- second building block
- 12
- externally insulated building block
- 14
- third building block
- 16
- intermediate insulation block
- 18
- partitioning wall
- 20
- lintel
- 22
- door and/or window opening
- 24
- outer wall
- 26
- reinforcement system
- 28
- strong reinforcement bar
- 30
- end part
- 32
- threaded sleeve
- 34
- connection rods
- 36
- nut
- 38
- head
- 40
- cup drill
- 42
- recess
- 44
- installation box
- 46
- flexible installation tube
- 48
- upper opening
Examples
[0053] Example 1. A building block system including block-shaped building elements (2, 10,
14) for erecting inner, outer and partitioning walls, in particular for single-storey
houses, wherein the block-shaped building elements (2, 10, 14) are designed with a
system of internal ducts (4) that with the object of carrying technical installations,
e.g. electric installations and/or plumbing installations, are arranged for connection
with a corresponding system of internal ducts (4) of adjacent block-shaped building
elements (2, 10, 14).
[0054] Example 2. A building block system according to Example 1, wherein the block-shaped
building elements for erecting inner walls and/or partitioning walls are constituted
by modular block-shaped building elements (2) with a length/height/thickness of about
1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4) extending
in parallel with a short side edge (6).
[0055] Example 3. A building block system according to Example 1, wherein the block-shaped
building elements for erecting inner walls and/or partitioning walls is constituted
by modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness of about
1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending in
parallel with a long side edge.
[0056] Example 4. A building block system according to Examples 1-3, wherein the system
of internal ducts of the modular block-shaped building elements (2, 10, 14) are mutually
offset in a modular way such that the ducts (4) still can be connected with each other
for example by a mutually modular displacement.
[0057] Example 5. A building block system according to Example 1, wherein the block-shaped
building elements (10) for erecting outer walls are constituted by modular block-shaped
building elements with a length/height/thickness of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with
a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4) extending in parallel with a short
side edge (6), the block-shaped building elements (10) also being connected with an
external complementary insulating block (12) with a thickness of e.g. about 310 mm.
[0058] Example 6. A building block system according to Example 1, wherein the block-shaped
building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by modular block-shaped
building elements with a height/length/ thickness of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with
a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (6) extending in parallel with a long
side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected with an external
complementary insulating block (10) with a thickness of e.g. about 310 mm.
[0059] Example 7. A building block system according to Example 1, wherein the block-shaped
building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by outer and inner modular
block-shaped building elements (14) with a length/height/thickness of about 1000/500/100
mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4) extending in parallel
with a short side edge (6), the block-shaped building elements also being connected
with an interposed complementary insulating block (16) with a thickness of e.g. about
310 mm.
[0060] Example 8. A building block system according to Example 1, wherein the block-shaped
building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by outer and inner modular
block-shaped building elements with a height/length/thickness of about 1000/500/100
mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4) extending in parallel
with a long side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected with
an interposed complementary insulating block (16) with a thickness of e.g. about 310
mm.
[0061] Example 9. A building block system according to Example 1 and including connecting
means (34) for transmitting tensile forces from a reinforcement (26) of a building
foundation to a head (38) of a roof construction, wherein the carrying of the force-transmitting
connection means (34) occurs through the system of internal ducts (4).
[0062] Example 10. A building block system according to Example 1, including building blocks
with greater length, for example with double length of 2000 mm, which can be used
as lintels (20) over door and window openings (22).
1. A building block system including block-shaped building elements for erecting inner,
outer and partitioning walls, in particular for single-storey houses, wherein the
block-shaped building elements have a length along a longitudinal axis, a height along
a height axis and a width along a width axis, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements are designed with a system of internal ducts (3)
which with the object of carrying technical installations, e.g. electric installations
and/or plumbing installations, are arranged for connection with a corresponding system
of internal ducts (3) of adjacent block-shaped building elements.
2. A building block system according to claim 1, characterised in that the vertical ducts (4) are disposed such that the spacing to other vertical ducts
in the building block system is a multiple of a first duct spacing, where the length
of the building element is a multiple integer of the first duct spacing.
3. A building block system according to claim 1 and 2, characterised in that the two ends of the building element along the longitudinal axis have a first end
spacing to the nearest vertical duct which is half an uneven number times the first
duct spacing.
4. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the horizontal ducts (5) are disposed such that the spacing to other horizontal ducts
in the building block system is a multiple of a second duct spacing, where the height
of the building elements is a multiple integer of the second duct spacing.
5. A building block system according to claim 1 and 4, characterised in that the two ends of the building element along the height axis have a second end spacing
to the nearest horizontal duct which is half an uneven number times the second duct
spacing.
6. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements for erecting inner walls and/or partitioning walls
is constituted by modular block-shaped building elements (2) with a length/height/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4)
extending in parallel with a short side edge (6).
7. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements for erecting inner walls and/or partitioning walls
is constituted by modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts extending
in parallel with a long side edge.
8. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the system of internal ducts of the modular block-shaped building elements are mutually
offset in a modular way such that the ducts (4) can be connected with each other for
example by a mutually modular displacement.
9. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements (10) for erecting outer walls are constituted
by modular block-shaped building elements with a length/height/thickness of about
1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4) extending
in parallel with a short side edge (6), the block-shaped building elements (10) also
being connected with an external complementary insulating block (12) with a thickness
of e.g. about 310 mm.
10. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by modular
block-shaped building elements with a height/length/ thickness of about 1000/500/100
mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (6) extending in parallel
with a long side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected with
an external complementary insulating block (10) with a thickness of e.g. about 310
mm.
11. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by outer
and inner modular block-shaped building elements (14) with a length/height/thickness
of about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4)
extending in parallel with a short side edge (6), the block-shaped building elements
also being connected with an interposed complementary insulating block (16) with a
thickness of e.g. about 310 mm.
12. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised in that the block-shaped building elements for erecting outer walls are constituted by outer
and inner modular block-shaped building elements with a height/length/thickness of
about 1000/500/100 mm, and with a number of mutually parallel internal ducts (4) extending
in parallel with a long side edge, the block-shaped building elements also being connected
with an interposed complementary insulating block (16) with a thickness of e.g. about
310 mm.
13. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims and including connecting
means (34) for transmitting tensile forces from a reinforcement (26) of a building
foundation to a head (38) of a roof construction, characterised in that the carrying of the force-transmitting connection means (34) occurs through the system
of internal ducts (4).
14. A building block system according to one or more preceding claims, characterised by including building blocks with greater length, for example with double length of
2000 mm, which can be used as lintels (20) over door and window openings (22).