Arched building structure, modular building blocks, and method of constructing an arched building structure

Abstract

An arched building structure is provided having a foundation, an arch roof, a front wall, and a back wall. The arch roof is assembled from a rows of arches assembled from plurality of modular blocks. The rows of arches are interlocked with each other. The modular blocks include interlocking shapes and a fastening system.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A modular assembly for constructing an arched structure between and along first and second foundation supports, said assembly comprising:
 a plurality of modular blocks, each exhibiting a non-linear surface along a longest extending length direction and each further having an open underside revealing first and second sides and interconnecting first and second ends;   said sides of each block defining first and second utter-engaging profiles configured so that identically constructed blocks assemble in an offset pattern to construct the overhead arch.   
     
     
         22 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , said inter-engaging profiles further comprising mating engaging and receiving patterns. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly as described in  claim 22 , further comprising closed inner perimeter surfaces in said sides defining a plurality of apertures, fasteners inserting through said apertures. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , further comprising a spacer interposed between opposing end surfaces of successively positioned blocks, 
     
     
         25 . The assembly as described in  claim 22 , said engaging patterns further comprising raised surfaces extending along an exterior of said first side and recessed surfaces extending along an exterior of said second side. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly as described in  claim 25 , further comprising angled edges interconnecting each of said raised and recessed surfaces with outer base surfaces extending along said sides. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly as described in  claim 23 , said apertures further comprising a compression sleeve seating within said closed perimeter surfaces and including first and second end supported washers. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly as described in  claim 27 , said fasteners each further comprising a two end threaded bolt insertable through an aligning pair of compression sleeves mounted in first and second constructed blocks, a pair of threaded nuts engaging opposite projecting end locations of said bolt. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly as described in  claim 28 , further comprising at least one lock washer positioned between said aligning pair of compression sleeves. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly as described in  claim 28 , farther comprising reinforcement bars extending through a plurality of end to end support blocks in crosswise extending fashion relative to an axial direction of said threaded bolts. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , further comprising a utility connectivity system including a utility box mounted in a surface accessible cavity and communicating with a utility conduit. 
     
     
         32 . The assembly as described in  claim 27 , further comprising front and back walls interconnecting with front and rear locations of said arched structure, a plurality of anchoring nuts and bolts extending from proximate located compression sleeves through receiving locations said walls. 
     
     
         33 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , further comprising an insulating layer positioned over an exterior of said arched structure. 
     
     
         34 . The assembly as described in  21 , at least one of said modular blocks further comprising a skylight block with a transparent middle portion. 
     
     
         35 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , at least one of said modular blocks further comprising a doorway modular block with an open interior. 
     
     
         36 . The assembly as described in  claim 22 , said mating engaging and receiving patterns further comprising alternating recessed and raised portions extending along each of said first and second sides. 
     
     
         37 . The assembly as described in  claim 36 , said alternating portions further comprising mating projecting and recessed frusto-conical shapes with angled bearing surfaces. 
     
     
         38 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , further comprising footing blocks adapted to being placed in a length extending row atop each of the foundation supports, a channel defined in each row receiving a base modular block associated with opposite ends of each crosswise extending row of end to end positioned. 
     
     
         39 . The assembly as described in  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of radial supports extending from an interior floor positioned hub to a plurality of arch supports of said blocks. 
     
     
         40 . The assembly as described in  claim 35 , further comprising an earthen berm overlaying an arched exterior of said structure, a stairway extending between said doorway modular block located a buried location to a surface accessible location.