Interlocking construction blocks

Abstract

The present invention is an improvement on a previous version of an interlocking building block system for use in constructing a building wall. The improvements introduced are radii corners and chamfered edges that allow for claddings to be attached to the wall by leaving space for mechanical screws to be secured between two blocks. Furthermore, the radii corners allowed for increased mechanical movement between two interlocking blocks, resulting in greater durability of the blocks. The improvement also include a corner block and an intersecting block which replace the need for using multiple blocks to create intersecting points or corners. Some blocks also contain an additional hollow cavity with channels to allow increased support members to be introduced between blocks, thus increasing the height of the walls that can be built using the block system.

1 . A block for use in interlocking with other similar blocks in constructing a building comprising:
 a block body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the block body having:   an outer block wall defining one side surface of the block body;   a head portion extending from the outer block wall toward an opposed side surface; and   two connecting portions each on a respective side of the head portion;   two abutment portions each at a respective end of the outer block wall and each defining a respective abutment shoulder;   a central groove in the head portion at a position thereon opposite to the outer block wall, the groove at opposite ends thereof defining two inwardly facing shoulders each for engaging and retaining the abutment portion of a respective one of two abutting blocks such that the abutment portions are retained end to end within the single groove;   wherein there is defined between the abutment portion and the connecting portion a receiving portion substantially matching in shape to the connecting portion for receiving in interlocking relationship the connecting portion of a co-operating interlocking block; and   wherein linear corners and edges defined on the connecting portions and the receiving portions are radius corners and edges.   
     
     
         2 . The block according to  claim 1  wherein the radius corners and edges have a radius in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The block according to  claim 1  wherein the groove has shoulders substantially at right angles to the outer block wall. 
     
     
         4 . The block according to  claim 1  wherein the head portion has a hole centrally thereof and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The block according to  claim 1  wherein the connecting portions are lobe shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The block according to  claim 1  wherein the abutment shoulder edge is chamfered to define space with the abutment shoulder edge of an adjacent block into which claddings may be secured. 
     
     
         7 . The block according to  claim 6  wherein the chamfer is in a range of 2 to 4 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The block according to  claim 6  wherein the chamfer is 3 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The block according to  claim 1  further comprising a hollow cavity defined between the head portion and the outer wall. 
     
     
         10 . The block according to  claim 1  wherein the shoulder abutments define a passage from one side of the block to the other and through the hollow cavity. 
     
     
         11 . An interlocking block system comprising a plurality of blocks arranged for use in interlocking with other similar blocks in constructing a building, at least some of the blocks comprise:
 a block body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the block body having:   an outer block wall defining one side surface of the block body;   a head portion extending from the outer block wall toward an opposed side surface; and   two connecting portions each on a respective side of the head portion;   two abutment portions each at a respective end of the outer block wall and each defining a respective abutment shoulder;   a single central groove in the head portion at a position thereon opposite to the outer block wall, the groove at opposite ends thereof defining two inwardly facing shoulders each for engaging and retaining the abutment portion of a respective one of two abutting blocks such that the abutment portions are retained end to end within the single groove;   wherein there is defined between the abutment portion and the connecting portion a receptacle substantially matching in shape to the connecting portion for receiving in interlocking relationship the connecting portion of a co-operating interlocking block; and   wherein the linear corners and edges defined on the connecting portions are radius corners and edges.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the radius corners and edges have a radius in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the head portion has a hole centrally thereof and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the connecting portions are lobe shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11  including a corner block comprised of two portions of approximately three quarters of one of the other blocks if bisected at a 45 degree angle to remove one of the connecting portions and shoulder abutments, being connected to form a right angled outer wall. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the corner block includes a “w” shaped groove between the connecting portions. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the shoulder abutments contain a channel that allows access to the hollow cavity.