Interlocking Building Blocks and System of Construction Therewith

Abstract

Interlocking building blocks that, when connected together in a plurality of blocks, create a structural building envelope consisting of a continuously-insulated exterior-facing section and an interior-facing section consisting of open stud bays. The system of building blocks combines aspects of both stick-built and SIP-panel framing systems to provide simplified assembly and improved thermal performance while mitigating common issues with both systems regarding compromised structural and insulative integrity encountered in the build process.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system of a plurality of interlocking building blocks, comprising:
 a building envelope of various lengths, widths, and heights made up of three or more rows of building blocks stacked vertically per building level with three or more building blocks per row;   a continuous structural wall on an outer section of the interlocked blocks;   a continuous insulated wall on an outer section of the interlocked blocks;   an open bay stud wall on an inner section of the interlocked blocks;   multiple, vertically stacked, continuous horizontal open channels between stud bays in the open bay stud wall on an inner section of the interlocked blocks;   and, a mechanical and/or adhesive attachment between blocks on some or all sides of each block.   
     
     
         2 . An interlocking building block, comprising:
 a first sheet of solid or engineered wood no less than 16″ wide and 12″ high and no larger than 64″ wide and 48″ high;   a second sheet of solid or engineered wood no less than 16″ wide and 12″ high and no larger than 64″ wide and 48″ high;   a first columnar strut sandwiched between the first and second sheets and attached to both sheets mechanically and/or adhesively with a portion extending inward, perpendicularly to and beyond the second sheet by no less than 1″ and no more than 6″ and a portion extending vertically beyond one or both long edges of both sheets;   a second columnar strut placed parallel to and apart from the first strut by 16″ on center or 24″ on center and sandwiched between the first and second sheets and attached to both sheets mechanically and/or adhesively with a portion extending vertically beyond one or both long edges of both sheets;   a contiguous sheet of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between the first and second sheets filling all space between the sheets not occupied by the struts;   a vertical channel stud of solid or engineered wood attached mechanically and/or adhesively to that end of the one or more first columnar strut that extends perpendicularly beyond the second sheet;   and, an arrangement and 3-dimensional profile of the struts such that when a building block is stacked vertically on top of other building blocks, the opposing faces of the struts of the two rows of building blocks interlock in contact to form a contiguous columnar strut.   
     
     
         3 . The interlocking building block of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a corner-type block consisting of two interlocking building blocks joined horizontally, end-to-end at a an angle of 22½, 30, 45, 60, or 90 degrees;   and, a 3 rd  columnar strut placed at the corner and sandwiched between the first and second sheets and attached to both sheets mechanically and/or adhesively with a portion extending vertically beyond an edge of both sheets.   
     
     
         4 . The interlocking building block of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plate-type block wherein the first columnar strut does not extend perpendicularly to and beyond the second sheet and wherein all struts do not extend vertically beyond a long edge of both sheets;   and a horizontal member of solid or engineered wood sandwiched between both sheets and attached mechanically and/or adhesively to both sheets and inset from one long edge of both sheets by 1¼″ to 1½″.   
     
     
         5 . The interlocking building block of  claim 2 , further comprising a contiguous sheet of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between the first and second sheets wherein one edge or two perpendicular edges of the insulation extend past the parallel edge(s) of the first and second sheets and the opposite one edge or two perpendicular edges of the insulation are set back from the parallel edge(s) of the first and second sheets. 
     
     
         6 . The interlocking building block of  claim 2 , further comprising a partial or total void between the first and second sheets and all or some struts that can be later filled with any combination of rigid, batted, loose, sprayed, or blown insulation. 
     
     
         7 . The interlocking building block of  claim 2 , further comprising a first sheet and columnar struts attached to the first sheet mechanically and/or adhesively and a contiguous sheet of rigid foam insulation attached to the first sheet mechanically and/or adhesively. 
     
     
         8 . The interlocking building block of  claim 2 , further comprising a first horizontal member of solid or engineered wood sandwiched between both sheets and extending between the first and second columnar struts and attached mechanically and/or adhesively to both sheets and columnar struts, and protruding vertically from the upper long edge of both sheets by ½″-6″;
 and a second horizontal member of solid or engineered wood sandwiched between both sheets and extending between the first and second columnar struts and attached mechanically and/or adhesively to both sheets and columnar struts, and protruding vertically from the lower long edge of both sheets by ½″-6″.