Interlocking block

Abstract

A construction block includes rectangular front and rear panels and at least one web connecting the front and rear panels. Each of the front and rear panels has top, bottom, and right and left edge surfaces. At least one web having top and bottom surfaces co-extensive with the top and bottom of the front and rear panels is provided to define top and bottom surfaces of the block. The top surface of the block has a shallow rectangular ridge along its length, flanked by outer support surfaces. The lower surface of the block has a shallow rectangular channel along its length, flanked by flat outer feet corresponding to the outer support surfaces. The right and left edge surfaces of the front and rear panels are profiled to interfit with one another.

1 . A construction block for use in constructing walls, said block including a front panel, a rear panel, and at least one web connecting said front and rear panels, each of said front and rear panels being rectangular and having a top edge surface, a bottom edge surface, and right and left edge surfaces, said at least one web having top and bottom surfaces co-extensive with the top and bottom surfaces of said front and rear panels thereby to define a top surface of said block, and a bottom surface of said rock, said top surface of said block being provided with a shallow rectangular ridge along its length, flanked by longitudinally extending outer support surfaces, the lower surface of said block having a shallow rectangular channel formed therein along its length, flanked by longitudinally extending flat outer foot portions corresponding in width to said outer support surfaces; the right and left edge surfaces of said front and rear panels being profiled to interfit with one another, whereby the right front edge surface and the left rear edge surface each have a first profile, and the left front edge surface and the right rear edge surface each have a second profile, the first and second profiles being complementary to permit blocks to interfit end to end.  
   
   
       2 . A block as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said front and rear panels are thickened toward the interior of said block at their right and left ends.  
   
   
       3 . A block as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said first profile is a concave vertical groove, and said second profile is a convex vertical ridge.  
   
   
       4 . A block as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said concave vertical groove is formed on the inner corner of a said edge surface.  
   
   
       5 . A block as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said convex vertical ridge is formed on the inner corner of a said edge surface.  
   
   
       6 . A block as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein two said webs are provided, with a generally rectangular hollow core formed between them.  
   
   
       7 . A block as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the upper surface of said webs is provided with a channel therein.  
   
   
       8 . A block as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the channel in the upper surface of said web is large enough to accommodate reinforcing materials.  
   
   
       9 . A construction block for use in constructing walls, said block including a front panel, a rear panel, and two transverse end webs connecting said front and rear panels, each of said front and rear panels being rectangular and having a top edge surface, a bottom edge surface, and right and left edge surfaces, said webs having top and bottom surfaces co-extensive with the top and bottom surfaces of said front and rear panels thereby to define a top surface of said block, and a bottom surface of said rock, said top surface of said block being provided with a shallow rectangular ridge along its length, flanked by longitudinally extending outer support surfaces, the lower surface of said block having a shallow rectangular channel formed therein along its length, flanked by longitudinally extending flat outer foot portions corresponding in width to said outer support surfaces; the end webs being profiled to interfit with one another, whereby the right front edge surface of one end web and the left rear edge surface of the other end web each have a first profile, and the left front edge surface of said one end web and the right rear edge surface of said other web each have a second profile, the first and second profiles being complementary to permit blocks to interfit end to end.  
   
   
       10 . A block as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said front and rear panels are thickened toward the interior of said block at their right and left ends.  
   
   
       11 . A block as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said first profile is a concave vertical groove, and said second profile is a convex vertical ridge.  
   
   
       12 . A block as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the upper surface of said webs is provided with a channel therein.  
   
   
       13 . A block as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the channel in the upper surface of said web is large enough to accommodate reinforcing materials.