Modular hollow block structure

Abstract

A modular hollow block structure ( 1 ) includes: a plurality of hollow block members ( 2 ) made by rotational moulding a plastic material into a hollow right parallelepiped shape, with two or more cylindrical holes ( 4 ) passing transversely through the hollow block members ( 2 ); and at least one connecting post ( 6 ) passing through the cylindrical holes ( 4 ) in adjacent hollow block members ( 2 ), and that includes a securing device ( 8 ) whereby it can be secured to the hollow block members ( 2 ) once fitted.

1 . A modular hollow block structure including:
 a plurality of hollow block members made by rotational moulding a plastic material into a hollow right parallelepiped shape, with two or more cylindrical holes of optional cross-section passing transversely through the hollow block members; and   at least one connecting post made by rotational moulding a plastic material into a hollow cylindrical shape of optional cross-section, that passes through the cylindrical holes in adjacent hollow block members, and that includes a securing device whereby it can be secured to the hollow block members once fitted.   
     
     
         2 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said securing device includes a pin or wedge which is fitted into a socket in said connecting post once said connecting post has been fitted between said hollow block members, said socket being provided at a predetermined position in said connecting post to retain said connecting post and said block members in a desired connected condition. 
     
     
         3 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 2 , wherein said block member is also provided with a socket so that said pin or wedge can be passed through both said block member and said connecting post to retain said connecting post and said block members in a desired connected condition. 
     
     
         4 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said connecting posts have a non-circular cross-section shape, and one or more of the cylindrical holes in the hollow block members are made in a cross-section shape complementary to the non-circular cross-section shape of the connecting post, the configuration being such that the hollow block members can be set at a desired angle relative to each other, and maintained in that position by the fit between the connecting post and the complementary cylindrical hole in the hollow block member. 
     
     
         5 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent hollow block members are formed with recesses around said cylindrical holes, and there is provided a separate alignment block which fits over said connecting post, and fits into the recesses in said adjacent hollow block members. 
     
     
         6 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said connecting posts are hollow right parallelepiped shape. 
     
     
         7 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 6 , wherein one or more of said connecting posts are formed with channels on opposite side faces which can be used to take a strap wrapped lengthwise around said connecting post. 
     
     
         8 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of hollow block members have more than two cylindrical holes. 
     
     
         9 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said hollow block members further includes a plurality of vertical cylindrical holes of optional cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , including at least four hollow block members, with two members aligned end to end, and two members arranged on opposites sides of the end to end members so as to clamp the end to end members from opposite sides with their transverse cylindrical holes aligned, and with at least one cylindrical connecting post passing through each of said end to end members, and the adjacent side members. 
     
     
         11 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said hollow block members have more than two transverse cylindrical holes of optional cross-section, and at least one connecting post is inserted through said cylindrical holes, to lock said hollow block members and prevent relative pivoting. 
     
     
         12 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said hollow block members is formed with a cross-section shape symmetrical about orthogonal central longitudinal planes, with all four side faces of equal width and formed with channel sections therein. 
     
     
         13 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , further including a selective fill and drain device whereby one of more of said hollow block members can be selectively filled or drained via a connecting post. 
     
     
         14 . A modular hollow block structure according to  claim 13 , wherein said selective fill and drain device includes:
 a fill hole in at least one of said hollow block members adjacent to at least one cylindrical hole in said hollow block member, and a vent hole in said hollow block member adjacent to at least another cylindrical hole in said hollow block member;   a fill or vent hole in at least two of said connecting posts arranged to correspond to said fill hole or said vent hole;   connecting tubes connected between respective fill or vent holes in said hollow block member and in said connecting posts, and configured so as to enable filling or venting of said hollow block member via said connecting posts; and   an aperture in each of said connecting post to allow filling of liquid therethrough, or venting of air therefrom,   the arrangement and construction being such that when said modular hollow block structure is assembled together with said hollow block members secured together with said connecting posts, liquid can be supplied via said aperture through said fill hole into said hollow block member, and air can be vented therefrom, or liquid can be drawn out from said hollow block member via said aperture, and air can be vented thereinto.   
     
     
         15 . A floating dock incorporating a modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A liquid storage structure incorporating a modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A hollow block member for a modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1 , said hollow block member comprising a right parallelepiped shape body made by rotational moulding a plastic material, with two or more cylindrical holes of optional cross-section passing transversely through the hollow block member. 
     
     
         18 . A hollow block member for a modular hollow block structure according to  claim 17 , further including at least one cylindrical hole of optional cross-section passing transversely through said hollow block member, in a plane orthogonal to a plane of said two or more cylindrical holes. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1  including the steps of:
 making said plurality of hollow block members by rotational moulding a plastic material into a hollow right parallelepiped shape, with two or more cylindrical holes of optional cross-section passing transversely through the hollow block members; and 
 passing at least one connecting post made by rotational moulding a plastic material into a hollow cylindrical shape of optional cross-section through the cylindrical holes in adjacent hollow block members, and securing the connecting post to the hollow block member once fitted. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method of selectively filling and draining a modular hollow block structure according to  claim 1  including the step of:
 providing a selective fill and drain device whereby one of more of the hollow block members can be selectively filled or drained via a connecting post. 
 
     
     
         21 - 23 . (canceled)