Open ended interlocking block system

Abstract

An interlocking block system building system for block walls which employs an “H” shaped open ended block to build any size walled structure. The device features a first block having a center portion connecting and two parallel sidewalls with two open ends opposite the endwalls. A plurality of interlocking tabs projecting from the top surface of the blocks engage with receptors in blocks stacked above. Projections and recesses formed on the distal edges of the blocks are adapted to engage with projections and recesses formed on the endwalls of adjacent blocks in a wall. The distal edge engagements may be translated to allow for adjustment of block spacing and ultimate wall size.

1 . An interlocking block system for use in construction of a: wall comprising: 
 an H-shaped block having a pair of generally rectangular, parallel, first and second sidewalls;    each of said sidewalls having a top portion with substantially flat upper surfaces and each having a bottom portion with substantially flat lower surfaces;    each of said sidewalls having first distal edges on one end defining a first pair of distal edges and having a second distal edges on a second end defining a second pair of distal edges with said first and second pair of distal edges substantially equidistant from a center of said block;    each of said sidewalls having an internal and an external surface extending between said upper surfaces and said lower surfaces;    a central portion of said block communicating between said internal surfaces of said sidewalls and having two opposing side surfaces on opposite sides of said center;    a pair of cavities defined by the areas between opposing side surfaces of said central portion, said infernal surfaces of said sidewalls, and open areas extending between said distal edges of said sidewalls;    means to interlock said first pair of distal edges of any one said block in an engagement with said second pair of distal edges of any adjacently located said block whereby a layer of a plurality of said blocks with coplanar sidewalls and engaged distal edges can be formed; and    means to interlock said top portion of any underlying said block with said bottom portion of any overlaid said block placed thereon with its sidewalls coplanar and with either of its said first pair of distal edges or said second pair of distal edges substantially at said center of said underlying said block.    
   
   
       2 . The interlocking block system of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 said blocks forming a wall;    said blocks forming said wall engaged in overlaid individual layers upon underlying individual layers, each of said individual layers formed of adjacent said blocks engaged at their respective first and second pairs of distal edges; and    each said overlaid layer supported on an underlying said individual with their respective sidewalls coplanar and with one of said first pair of distal edges or said second pair of distal edges of each overlaid layer substantially at said center of a said block in said underlying individual layer.    
   
   
       3 . The interlocking block system of  claim 1  wherein said means to interlock said first pair of distal edges of any one said block in an engagement with said second pair of distal edges of any adjacently located said block comprises: 
 a projection extending from one of said first pair and one of said second pair of distal edges;    a recess formed in the other of said first pair and one of said second pair of distal edges; and    said projections adapted for engagement in said recess.    
   
   
       4 . The interlocking block system of  claim 3  additionally comprising: 
 said projections being tapered from a widest point adjacent to said respective distal end to a narrowest point at a distal end of said projection.    
   
   
       5 . The interlocking block system of  claim 4  additionally comprising: 
 said recesses being tapered to receive said tapered projections.    
   
   
       6 . The interlocking block system of  claim 1  wherein said means to interlock said top portion of any underlying said block with said bottom portion of any overlaid said block comprises: 
 a first pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said first pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said first pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    a second pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said second pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said second pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    said first and second pair of ridges being substantially equidistant from said center of said block;    all four of said ridges including ridge pin portions extending beyond said upper surfaces of said first and second sidewalls respectively; and    said ridge pins having a first side surface substantially coplanar with the interior surface of the respective said sidewall from which it extends, whereby said first side surfaces, of said first pair or second pair of ridges, will frictionally engage with respective inner surfaces of said sidewalls in one of said pair of cavities in a said block overlaid thereon.    
   
   
       7 . The interlocking block system of  claim 3  wherein said means to interlock said top portion of any underlying said block with said bottom portion of any overlaid said block comprises: 
 a first pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said first pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said first pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    a second pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said second pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said second pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    said first and second pair of ridges being substantially equidistant from said center of said block;    all four of said ridges including ridge pin portions extending beyond said upper surfaces of said first and second sidewalls respectively; and    said ridge pins having a first side surface substantially coplanar with the interior surface of the respective said sidewall from which it extends, whereby said first side surfaces, of said first pair or second pair of ridges, will frictionally engage with respective inner surfaces of said sidewalls in one of said pair of cavities in a said block overlaid thereon.    
   
   
       8 . The interlocking block system of  claim 4  wherein said means to interlock said top portion of any underlying said block with said bottom portion of any overlaid said block comprises: 
 a first pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said first pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said first pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    a second pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said second pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said second pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    said first and second pair of ridges being substantially equidistant from said center of said block;    all four of said ridges including ridge pin portions extending beyond said upper surfaces of said first and second sidewalls respectively; and    said ridge pins having a first side surface substantially coplanar with the interior surface of the respective said sidewall from which it extends, whereby said first side surfaces, of said first pair or second pair of ridges, will frictionally engage with respective inner surfaces of said sidewalls in one of said pair of cavities in a said block overlaid thereon.    
   
   
       9 . The interlocking block system of  claim 5  wherein said means to interlock said top portion of any underlying said block with said bottom portion of any overlaid said block comprises: 
 a first pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said first pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said first pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    a second pair of inwardly extending ridges running generally perpendicular to said top surfaces of said sidewalls, one of said second pair running along said inner surface of said first sidewall and the other of said second pair running along said inner surface of said second sidewall;    said first and second pair of ridges being substantially equidistant from said center of said block;    all four of said ridges including ridge pin portions extending beyond said upper surfaces of said first and second sidewalls respectively; and    said ridge pins having a first side surface substantially coplanar with the interior surface of the respective said sidewall from which it extends, whereby said first side surfaces, of said first pair or second pair of ridges, will frictionally engage with respective inner surfaces of said sidewalls in one of said pair of cavities in a said block overlaid thereon.    
   
   
       10 . The interlocking block system of  claim 6  additionally comprising: 
 said first pair of inwardly extending ridges having a first engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said second pair of inwardly extending ridges having a second engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said first engagement surface and said second engagement surfaces being substantially equidistant from said center and spaced from each other by a first distance;    all four of said pin portions having a second side surface running a direction traverse to said first side surface;    said second side surfaces of said ridge pins extending from said first pair of ridges being distanced from said second side surface of said ridge pins extending from said second pair of ridges a second distance slightly less than said first distance; and    whereby an overlaid said block placed upon two underling coplanar said blocks with their distal edges engaged substantially at said center of said overlaid block, will accommodate translation of said underling blocks a distance equal to the difference between said first distance and said second distance providing means of adjustment of the total length of a wall.    
   
   
       11 . The interlocking block system of  claim 7  additionally comprising: 
 said first pair of inwardly extending ridges having a first engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said second pair of inwardly extending ridges having a second engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said first engagement surface and said second engagement surfaces being substantially equidistant from said center and spaced from each other by a first distance;    all four of said pin portions having a second side surface running a direction traverse to said first side surface;    said second side surfaces of said ridge pins extending from said first pair of ridges being distanced from said second side surface of said ridge pins extending from said second pair of ridges a second distance slightly less than said first distance; and    whereby an overlaid said block placed upon two underling coplanar said blocks with their distal edges engaged substantially at said center of said overlaid block, will accommodate translation of said underling blocks a distance equal to the difference between said first distance and said second distance providing means of adjustment of the total length of a wall.    
   
   
       12 . The interlocking block system of  claim 8  additionally comprising: 
 said first pair of inwardly extending ridges having a first engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said second pair of inwardly extending ridges having a second engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said first engagement surface and said second engagement surfaces being substantially equidistant from said center and spaced from each other by a first distance;    all four of said pin portions having a second side surface running a direction traverse to said first side surface;    said second side surfaces of said ridge pins extending from said first pair of ridges being distanced from said second side surface of said ridge pins extending from said second pair of ridges a second distance slightly less than said first distance; and    whereby an overlaid said block placed upon two underling coplanar said blocks with their distal edges engaged substantially at said center of said overlaid block, will accommodate translation of said underling blocks a distance equal to the difference between said first distance and said second distance providing means of adjustment of the total length of a wall.    
   
   
       13 . The interlocking block system of  claim 9  additionally comprising: 
 said first pair of inwardly extending ridges having a first engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said second pair of inwardly extending ridges having a second engagement surface, generally traverse to said inner surface and adjacent to said bottom portion of said block;    said first engagement surface and said second engagement surfaces being substantially equidistant from said center and spaced from each other by a first distance;    all four of said pin portions having a second side surface running a direction traverse to said first side surface;    said second side surfaces of said ridge pins extending from said first pair of ridges being distanced from said second side surface of said ridge pins extending from said second pair of ridges a second distance slightly less than said first distance; and    whereby an overlaid said block placed upon two underling coplanar said blocks with their distal edges engaged substantially at said center of said overlaid block, will accommodate translation of said underling blocks a distance equal to the difference between said first distance and said second distance providing means of adjustment of the total length of a wall.    
   
   
       14 . The interlocking block system of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 a pathway communicating between all said overlaid blocks and any portions of any said underlying blocks; and    said pathway formed between the sidewalls of all overlaid and underlying blocks by portions of said pair of cavities of each overlaid block, communicating with lower portions of cavities of underlying blocks; whereby cementitious material may be poured into the pathway communicating with said top surface of an uppermost said overlaid block, and communicate to said cavity of a lowest said underlying block which communicates with said pathway passageway.    
   
   
       15 . The interlocking block system of  claim 2  additionally comprising: 
 a pathway communicating between all said overlaid blocks and any portions of any said underlying blocks; and    said pathway formed between the sidewalls of all overlaid and underlying blocks by portions of said pair of cavities of each overlaid block, communicating with lower portions of cavities of underlying blocks; whereby cementitious material may be poured into the pathway communicating with said top surface of an uppermost said overlaid block, and communicate to said cavity of a lowest said underlying block which communicates with said pathway passageway.    
   
   
       16 . The interlocking block system of  claim 6  additionally comprising: 
 a pathway communicating between all said overlaid blocks and any portions of any said underlying blocks; and    said pathway formed between the sidewalls of all overlaid and underlying blocks by portions of said pair of cavities of each overlaid block, communicating with lower portions of cavities of underlying blocks; whereby cementitious material may be poured into the pathway communicating with said top surface of an uppermost said overlaid block, and communicate to said cavity of a lowest said underlying block which communicates with said pathway passageway.    
   
   
       17 . The interlocking block system of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 a recess formed in an upper surface of said central potion of each said block; and    a horizontal pathway formed in each said block communicating between said open areas through said pair of cavities and said recess, whereby said horizontal pathway communicates through each said block engaged at distal edges with an adjacent said block in a row of said blocks forming a layer.    
   
   
       18 . The interlocking block system of  claim 14  additionally comprising: 
 a recess formed in an upper surface of said central potion of each said block; and    a horizontal pathway formed in each said block communicating between said open areas through said pair of cavities and said recess, whereby said horizontal pathway communicates through each said block engaged at distal edges with an adjacent said block in a row of said blocks forming a layer.    
   
   
       19 . A method of building a reinforced wall of individual “H” shaped blocks having two sidewalls extending to engageable distal edges and openings between said distal edges communicating with cavities between a center section of said block and said two sidewalls wherein said blocks are placed in coplanar layers of blocks with reinforcing members running traverse through said layers, comprising the steps of: 
 engaging the engageable distal edges of each said block forming a layer;    upon encountering a reinforcing member during positioning of a said block to be placed in a said layer, communicating said member through one of said openings of said block to be placed, and thereafter into said communicating cavity; and    subsequently, engaging said distal edges of said block to be placed with said distal edges of an adjacent said block already positioned in said layer.