Interlocking blocks for temporary structure

Abstract

The building block interlocks with other like blocks by means of mating tongues and grooves or mating projections and recesses to form a temporary structure such as a garage or a factory. The block is hollow and less an opening through which particulate material may be selectively introduced and extracted from the hollow interior. The block may be composed of light-weight material such as polypropylene or other polymeric material so that the block can be carried and lifted easily by hand when it is empty.

1 . A plurality of building blocks adapted to interconnect with each other to form a structure, each said building block being defined by a plurality of vertical walls; and top and bottom walls and having a thickness between oppositely facing exterior and interior surfaces of said walls, said interior surfaces defining a hollow interior for receipt and containment of particulate material therein, each said building block further having a first block connector composed of a vertically extending tongue or groove formed in at least one said vertical wall, said block connector being adapted to interconnect with another said block connector in another said building block disposed beside thereto, said building block further having at least one opening through which particulate material may be selectively introduced and extracted from said hollow interior. 
     
     
         2 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein said thickness is no greater than necessary to provide sufficient strength to said building block to maintain said structure intact when said building block is filled with said particulate material. 
     
     
         3 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein each said building block has a second block connector composed of a projection or a recess formed in said top wall and said bottom wall, said block connector being adapted to interconnect with one said block connector in another said building block disposed above or below thereto 
     
     
         4 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein each said building block includes a second block connector composed of a projection or recess in said top wall, said second block connector being adapted to interconnect with one said second block connector in another said building block disposed immediately above said top wall. 
     
     
         5 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein each said building block includes a second block connector composed of a projection or recess in said bottom wall, said second block connector being adapted to interconnect with one said second block connector in another said building block disposed immediately beneath said bottom wall. 
     
     
         6 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein two said vertical walls meet at a corner, the exterior surface of both said two vertical walls being flat. 
     
     
         7 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein one said vertical surface has a first block connector white the remaining said vertical walls are flat. 
     
     
         8 . A plurality of building blocks adapted to interconnect with each other to form a structure, each said building block being defined by a plurality of vertical walls; and top and bottom walls and having a thickness between oppositely facing exterior and interior surfaces of said walls, said interior surfaces defining a hollow interior for receipt and containment of particulate material therein, said building block, having at least one. Opening through which particulate material may be selectively introduced and extracted from said hollow interior. said top wall having a channel for receipt of a window frame thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The building block of  claim 8  further including a first block connector composed of a vertically extending tongue or groove formed in said bottom wall, said block connector being adapted to interconnect with another said block connector in another said building block disposed beside thereto 
     
     
         10 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein said two said vertical walls meet at a corner, the exterior surface of both said two vertical walls being flat. 
     
     
         11 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein said tongue and said groove each have bevelled side walls. 
     
     
         12 . The building block of  claim 1  wherein said projection and said recess each have bevelled side walls. 
     
     
         13 . The building blocks of  claim 1  wherein each said building block has a removable cap for closing said opening. 
     
     
         14 . The building blocks of  claim 1  wherein the angle between said top wall and said bottom wall is approximately 45 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . A plurality of building blocks adapted to interconnect with each other to form a structure, each said building block having a hollow interior and being defined by vertical walls composed of a pair of oppositely facing side walls and a pair of oppositely facing end walls; and, top and bottom walls; each said building block further having a pair of first block connectors formed in a pair of oppositely facing said vertical walls, each said first block connector being composed of a vertically extending tongue or groove and being adapted to interconnect with one said first block connector in another said building block disposed adjacent to said each building block; said top wall having at least one opening through which particulate material may be selectively introduced and extracted from said hollow interior. 
     
     
         16 . The building blocks of  claim 15  wherein each said wall has a thickness between oppositely facing exterior and interior surfaces of said wall, said interior surfaces defining a hollow interior for receipt and containment of particulate material therein, said thickness being no greater than necessary to provide sufficient strength to said building block to maintain said structure intact when said building block is filled with said particulate material. 
     
     
         17 . The building blocks of  claim 15  wherein each said building block includes a second block connector composed of a projection or recess in said top wall, said second block connector being adapted to interconnect with one said second block connector in another said building block disposed immediately above said top wail. 
     
     
         18 . The building blocks of  claim 15  wherein each said building block includes a second block connector composed of a projection or recess in said bottom wall, said second block connector being adapted to interconnect with one said second block connector in another said building block disposed immediately beneath said bottom wall.