Decorative, interlocking, mortarless building block

Abstract

Molded composite polymer construction blocks are made that are easily assembled, using tongues and grooves, with vertical passageways for pipes, wires, etc. Stud supporting cavities in one side of the block extend into the ribs or end walls. The cavities can be provided with protective inserts. Studs or wooden blocks can be inserted into the cavities. The wooden studs or wooden blocks of various lengths provide spacing for insulation and/or drywall installation. Internal ribs are provided with easy grip structure. One, two or three side walls of the block are provided with decorative surfaces.

1 . A building block comprising: 
 a molded material forming a front wall, a back wall, end walls, a interior rib, an upper surface and a lower surface;    said interior rib divides said block interior into open passages that can be alined to accommodate equipment;    said interior rib having an upper surface and a lower surface and a central width between said upper surface and said lower surface;    said interior rib upper surface being wider than said upper central rib adjacent said interior rib upper surface, providing an easy grip for control of said building block    
   
   
       2 . A building block as in  claim 1  including: 
 a cavity in said back wall extending into said molded material of said block below said upper surface and above said lower surface and between said end walls.    
   
   
       3 . A building block as in  claim 2  including: 
 a metal insert secured within said cavity for securing a spacing member therein;    said metal insert having interlocking spikes for securing a wooden spacing member and mounting holes for securing a non-wooden spacing member;    said cavity is narrower than said interior rib and extends within said interior rib without communicating with said open passages.    
   
   
       4 . A building block as in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said cavity has a rectangular configuration with the longest dimension being horizontally oriented.    
   
   
       5 . A building block as in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said cavity has a rectangular configuration with the longest dimension being horizontally oriented.    
   
   
       6 . A building block as in  claim 2  including: 
 said interior rib is centrally located and divides said block interior into two open passages.    
   
   
       7 . A building block as in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said block upper surface is provided with tongues;    said block lower surface is provided with grooves such that said upper surface tongues can be placed within said lower surface grooves to aline blocks.    
   
   
       8 . A building block as in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said block front wall has decorative facing molded therein.    
   
   
       9 . A building block as in  claim 8  including: 
 said block upper surface is provided with tongues;    said block lower surface is provided with grooves such that said upper surface tongues can be placed within said lower surface grooves to aline blocks.    
   
   
       10 . A building block as in  claim 8  wherein: 
 said decorative facing includes thin bricks molded into said block face.    
   
   
       11 . A building block as in  claim 8  including: 
 said decorative facing includes brick powder molded into said block face.    
   
   
       12 . A building block as in  claim 2  including: 
 said cavity is narrower than said end walls and extends within an end wall.    
   
   
       13 . A building block as in  claim 2  including: 
 two cavities in said block back wall;    said cavities are narrower than said end walls and extend within said end walls.    
   
   
       14 . A building block as in  claim 12  including: 
 a metal insert secured within said cavity for securing a spacing member therein.    
   
   
       15 . A building block as in  claim 14  wherein: 
 said block upper surface is provided with tongues;    said block lower surface is provided with grooves such that said upper surface tongues can be placed within said lower surface grooves to aline blocks;    said block front wall has decorative facing molded therein.    
   
   
       16 . A building block as in  claim 2  wherein: 
 a reinforcing insert within said cavity for force distributing.    
   
   
       17 . A building block as in  claim 16  wherein: 
 said reinforcing insert is a u-shape metallic insert.    
   
   
       18 . A building block as in  claim 17  wherein: 
 said u-shaped metallic insert is provided with spikes and stud mounting holes and a pin hole for securing said u-shape metallic insert into said cavity and a stud into said u-shape metallic insert.