Building blocks with mating coupling means for constructing wall and associated method

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of building blocks ( 1 ) and a method for constructing a wall by means of these blocks. Each building block ( 1 ) comprises a first side ( 10 ) with first coupling means ( 11 ) and a second side ( 20 ) with second coupling means ( 21 ), the first and second coupling means being adapted to mate with each other for coupling the building blocks to each other. The first and second coupling means are shaped for enabling their coupling by a rotational movement around a first axis and preventing their disengagement by a linear movement along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, said linear movement being substantially in opposite direction of the rotational movement.

1 . A set of building blocks for constructing a wall, each building block comprising a first side with first coupling means and a second side with second coupling means, the first and second coupling means being adapted to mate with each other for coupling the building blocks to each other, the first and second coupling means being shaped for enabling their coupling by a rotational movement around a first axis and preventing their disengagement by a linear movement along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, said linear movement being substantially in opposite direction of the rotational movement, wherein the first and second coupling means are furthermore shaped for enabling that a first number of said building blocks are placed by said rotational movement in a first direction and a second number of said building blocks are placed by said rotational movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     
     
         2 . A set of building blocks according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side is a top side of the building block and the second side is a bottom side of the building block and that each building block further comprises lateral and transverse sides extending from the top side to the bottom side, the transverse sides being provided with third and fourth coupling means which are adapted to mate with each other. 
     
     
         3 . A set of building blocks according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling means are substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to said first and second axes and that the second coupling means are asymmetrical with respect to said plane. 
     
     
         4 . A set of building blocks according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling means comprise a cavity with a predetermined gap and the second coupling means comprise a protruding member for engaging in the cavity, the protruding member being dimensioned such with respect to the predetermined gap that, in corresponding orientation of the protruding member with respect to the cavity, the protruding member is wider than the predetermined gap and, when tilted over a given angle with respect to the cavity, the protruding member is slightly narrower than the predetermined gap. 
     
     
         5 . A set of building blocks according to  claim 4 , wherein the cavity widens underneath said predetermined gap by means of at least one lateral recess and that the protruding member comprises at least one corresponding lateral protrusion for engaging in the at least one lateral recess. 
     
     
         6 . A set of building blocks according to  claim 4 , wherein the cavity is delimited by two substantially parallel oblong protrusions which extend at said predetermined gap from each other and have partly cylindrical outer surfaces for facilitating said rotational movement. 
     
     
         7 . A set of building blocks according to  claim 6 , wherein the protruding member is delimited by two substantially parallel oblong recesses, shaped in correspondence with the oblong protrusions to avoid play in coupled state. 
     
     
         8 . A set building blocks according to  claim 1 , wherein the building blocks are constructed in a substantially non-resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . A method for constructing a wall by means of the set of building blocks according to  claim 1 , comprising the step of piling up said building blocks so that multiple layers of coupled building blocks are formed, a first number of said building blocks being placed by said rotational movement in a first direction and a second number of said building blocks being placed by said rotational movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the first number of building blocks is alternated with the second number of building blocks.