Apparatus and method for interlocking blocks

Abstract

An improved block for making a horizontal, vertical, uneven and/or undulating surface has opposed upper and lower surfaces and opposed side surfaces. Sleeves extend through the block from opposed side surfaces and the sleeves on one pair of sides are at a different elevation from the sleeves at the other pair of sides. When blocks are placed to define a surface the sleeves align with sleeves in adjacent blocks and connecting ties are inserted through the sleeves to interconnect and stabilize the blocks. The blocks are preferably manufactured from concrete.

1 . A block comprising:
 an upper surface;   a lower surface opposite said upper surface;   first and second opposed side surfaces;   third and fourth opposed side surfaces; and   a first sleeve extending through said block from said first side surface to the opposed second side surface at a first elevation, and a second sleeve extending through said block from said third side surface to the opposed fourth side surface at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.   
   
   
       2 . The block according to  claim 1  in which the distance from a centerline through the first sleeve to the upper surface is equal to the distance from a centerline through the second sleeve to the lower surface. 
   
   
       3 . The block according to  claim 1  in which the distance from a centerline through the first sleeve to the upper surface is unequal to the distance from a centerline through the second sleeve to the lower surface. 
   
   
       4 . The block according to  claim 1  including plural first sleeves extending through said block from said first side surface to the opposed second side surface, each of said plural first sleeves at a first elevation, and plural second sleeves extending through said block from said third side surface to the opposed fourth side surface, each of said plural second sleeves at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation. 
   
   
       5 . The block according to  claim 4  wherein the opposed side surfaces meet at junctions that define block corners, and wherein the distance from any corner to the nearest sleeve is the same. 
   
   
       6 . The block according to  claim 5  wherein the distance between any two sleeves on one side surface of said block is twice the distance from any corner to the nearest sleeve. 
   
   
       7 . A surface formed from a plurality of blocks according to  claim 1 , said surface defined by plural blocks arranged adjacent one another such that all sleeves on any side surface on any block align with all sleeves on any side surface of an adjacent block. 
   
   
       8 . The surface according to  claim 7  including plural ties extending through said sleeves such that each tie extends into at least two adjacent blocks. 
   
   
       9 . The surface according to  claim 8  wherein said ties have opposed ends, and wherein at least one of the opposed ends is anchored to a block. 
   
   
       10 . The surface according to  claim 9  wherein both ends of the ties are anchored to different blocks. 
   
   
       11 . A rectangular block comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second opposed side surfaces, and third and fourth opposed side surfaces to define four corners between said four side surfaces, at least one opening formed through the block extending from the first surface to the second surface, and at least one opening formed through the block extending from the third surface to the fourth surface, the at least one opening extending from the first to the second surfaces extending transverse to the at least one opening extending from the third to the fourth surfaces, and each of said openings nearest a corner spaced from the nearest corner by the same distance. 
   
   
       12 . The rectangular block according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one opening extending from the first to second side surfaces is at a first elevation and the at least one opening extending from the third to the fourth side surfaces is at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation. 
   
   
       13 . The rectangular block according to  claim 12  including plural openings extending from the first to second side surfaces. 
   
   
       14 . The rectangular block according to  claim 12  including plural openings extending from the third to fourth side surfaces. 
   
   
       15 . The rectangular block according to  claim 14  wherein each opening extending from the first to second side surfaces is at the first elevation and each opening extending from the third to fourth side surfaces is at the second elevation. 
   
   
       16 . A method of providing a surface with plural blocks, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of blocks, each block in the plurality comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and first and second opposed side surfaces and third and fourth opposed side surfaces, the four side surfaces defining four corners at the junction of the side surfaces, and a first sleeve extending through the block from the first to the second opposed sides, the first sleeve at a first elevation, and a second sleeve extending through the block from the third to the fourth opposed sides, the second sleeve at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation;   (b) arranging said plurality of blocks adjacent one another such that each of the first and second opposed sides of any block lies adjacent the first and second opposed sides of an adjacent block and so that the first sleeve in the first block aligns with the first sleeve of the adjacent block; and   (c) connecting adjacent blocks with a first connecting tie extending through aligned sleeves in adjacent blocks.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16  including the step of connecting adjacent blocks with a second connecting tie that extends transverse to the first connecting tie. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16  including the step of anchoring at least one end of the first connecting tie to a block. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 16  including the step of anchoring one end of the first connecting tie to a block, anchoring the opposite end of the first connecting tie to a different block, and providing tension on said connecting tie to apply compressive force to said blocks. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the surface covers a ground surface.