Interlocking blocks and a method to build walls

Abstract

A massive block preferably made of compressed earth is described as well as a method to build walls utilizing the massive blocks. By combining wooden frame construction and massive wall construction with bricks or other massive block elements, a wall can be built with the advantages of both. A wooden stud frame is erected, the electricity and other utilities are placed through the frame and then the frame is covered up on both sides with large massive blocks of a specific design that interlock with both the frame and each other. The cavities in between the blocks can then be filled up with a filler such as sand to create additional thermal mass and improve the sound insulation properties of the wall. A second embodiment of the wall utilizes an extra layer of blocks with grooves to accommodate a radiant heating system and insulation material.

What is claimed is as follows: 
     
         1 . A wall system, comprising:
 a block;   the block having a top and a bottom;   the block having a first side and a second side;   the block having a front side and a back side;   the first side has a tongue;   the second side has a groove;   wherein the tongue of the block is configured to fit in the groove of a second block;   the back side has a first channel;   a frame;   the first channel configured to accept a first portion of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The wall system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 there are a plurality of the blocks;   the frame has a first side and a second side;   blocks are attached to the first side;   blocks are attached to the second side.   
     
     
         3 . The wall system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 at least one cavity is formed between the first side and the second side of the frame.   
     
     
         4 . The wall system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 a filler is placed in the at least one cavity.   
     
     
         5 . The wall system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the filler is sand.   
     
     
         6 . The wall system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the frame comprises a plurality of vertical support members;   each block makes contact with at least three vertical support members.   
     
     
         7 . The wall system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 each block comprises a second channel and a third channel;   the second channel makes contact with a first vertical support member;   the third channel makes contact with a second vertical support member.   
     
     
         8 . The wall system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a fastener attaching each block to the frame.   
     
     
         9 . The wall system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the blocks are made from compressed earth.   
     
     
         10 . A block for a wall system, wherein the block is attachable to a frame, the block comprising:
 a top and a bottom;   a first side and a second side;   a front side and a back side;   the first side has a tongue;   the second side has a groove;   wherein the tongue of the block is configured to fit in the groove of a second block;   the back side has a first channel;   the first channel configured to accept a first portion of the frame.   
     
     
         11 . The block of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a second channel and a third channel.   
     
     
         12 . The block of  claim 11 , comprising:
 the block is made of compressed earth.   
     
     
         13 . The block of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a fastener;   the fastener attaches the block to the frame.   
     
     
         14 . A method for building a wall, comprising the steps of:
 building a frame;   attaching a plurality of blocks on a first side of the wall;   attaching a plurality of blocks on a second side of the wall wherein the first side is opposite of the second side;   wherein each block comprise a first channel on a back side of the block;   the first channel accommodates a portion of the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 a cavity is between the first side and the second side.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
 filling the cavity with sand.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 each block has a second channel;   the second channel configured to contact a second portion of the frame.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 each block has a third channel;   the third channel configured to contact a third portion of the frame.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 each block is made from compressed earth.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 cutting grooves in a plurality of blocks;   placing heating elements within the grooves;   placing an additional column of blocks on the first side.