Vented hollow plastic block

Abstract

A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block for use in wall construction includes a single vent disposed along in a side wall of the plastic block for alleviating pressure within the plastic block and for discharging any condensation within the plastic block that may occur.

1 . A vented hollow plastic block for use in a wall section, said plastic block comprising in combination: 
 a) a pair of members, each of said members including a continuous side wall having an edge;    b) a junction formed by said edges of said continuous side walls; and    c) a single vent formed in one of said side walls for venting said hollow plastic block.    
   
   
       2 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vent has an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.25 inches.  
   
   
       3 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said vent has an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.012 inches to about 0.015 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said members is made of translucent plastic material.  
   
   
       5 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said members is made of transparent plastic material.  
   
   
       6 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said members is square, wherein said side walls define four edges, and including a snap fit mechanism disposed in each of said edges and adapted for locking engagement with a further plastic block placed there against, said vent being disposed proximate one of said snap fit mechanisms.  
   
   
       7 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said snap fit mechanism comprises either a female receptacle or a male coupling and wherein said female receptacle is disposed on two of said edges and said male coupling is disposed on the remaining two of said edges.  
   
   
       8 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 7  wherein each of said female receptacles comprises a pair of adjacent cylindrical members and wherein said vent is disposed intermediate said cylindrical members of only one of said female receptacles.  
   
   
       9 . The vented hollow plastic block as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vent is disposed at said junction of said edges.  
   
   
       10 . A vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block of use in a wall section, said plastic block comprising in combination: 
 a) a pair of members, each of said members including a continuous side wall, said side walls defining four edges of said plastic block;    b) said side wall of one of said members being in sealed engagement with said side wall of the other of said members; and    c) a single vent disposed in either one of said edges, said vent having an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.005 inches to about 0.25 inches.    
   
   
       11 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said aperture has an area equivalent to a circle having a diameter in the range of about 0.012 inches to about 0.015 inches.  
   
   
       12 . The vented hollow translucent/transparent plastic block as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said vent is formed at the junction of said side walls.