Abstract:
A construction block system that includes a block with slanted edges that coact with contiguous blacks to define spaces or grooves for receiving cementitious substances. Cooperatively aligned channels in the upper and lower edges coact with longitudinally extending walls perpendicularly mounted to a base assembly. An adjustable mechanism provides for leveling of the base assembly to ensure proper installation of the lowermost row of blocks. Subsequently rows are aligned and leveled with a leveling tool assembly that is also partially received within the cooperative channels.

Description:
OTHER RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation-in-part of allowed and of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/349,250, filed on Jan. 23, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,644, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a construction block system and accessories, and more particularly, to a construction block system that can be readily aligned during installation with predictable dimensions for the resulting structure. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Many designs for construction block systems have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes upper and lower channels cooperatively disposed to receive aligning members therein. Nor do they include external edge cutouts for lodging the cements. Conventional blocks are aligned manually. And the separations between blocks are responsible for unpredictable overall dimensions of the resulting wall structures and also resulting in misalignment. 
   Applicant believes that another related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,067 issued to Tim Allen Bott on Jul. 4, 2000 for dry stackable block structures. Bott&#39;s stackable block structure system for dry stacking concrete reinforced walls, includes a stretcher block with a recess of triangular cross-section on the bottom surface and disposed intermediate a pair of co-planar, parallelly disposed laterally extending rectangular edge portions. The top surface of the block includes a flat portion in the center and two edge portions forming upwardly converging surfaces of truncated triangular cross-section. Notches ( 33 ;  34  and  35 ) are disposed at a midpoint of the webs ( 31 ; 32  and  30 , respectively) and have a semi-circular cross sectional configuration to receive a horizontally disposed reinforcing bar are provided to allow concrete to engage the rebar at the ends of the block structure. However, even if the Bott&#39;s patent mentions that “horizontally disposed reinforcing rods may be positioned between courses and received in notches  33 - 35 ”, it does not disclose a system as claimed herein. The separations between abutting blocks are also created when cement is applied. 
   None of the prior art blocks includes external horizontal edge cutouts to receive the cement to avoid the creation of separations between abutting blocks and upper and lower channels. Also, the present invention includes the use of block aligning accessories, such as the base alignment tool and row leveling and reinforcement tool cooperative received by the block lower and upper channels, to permit a user to keep a wall structure aligned throughout its construction. These features are not suggested in the prior art references. 
   Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a construction block system that allows a user to readily align and level contiguous blocks without separation in-between to form wall structures. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a block system that includes external longitudinal edge cutouts for receiving cement without creating a separation between abutting blocks. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a block system that includes channels in the upper and lower surfaces of the block&#39;s transversal walls to receive aligning tools. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide a block system that allows a user to readily build wall structures with consequent savings of time. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide a block system that can be readily assembled and disassembled without requiring specialized tools or substantial previous training or experience. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a system that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
   Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a wall structure being built using the present invention where the first row of blocks is placed on the base alignment assembly and the row leveling and reinforcement assembly is mounted on contiguous subsequent rows. 
       FIG. 1   a  represents an isometric enlarged view of one of the preferred embodiments for the securing plate joining sections of the base alignment tool assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1   b  shows a partial detailed cross-sectional elevational view of the base alignment tool assembly showing the screw and pin members cooperatively mounted to horizontally align the assembly. 
       FIG. 2  represents an isometric view of one of the preferred embodiments for the construction block, used in the system object of the present application. 
       FIG. 2A  is an end elevational view of the block represented in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a wall structure being built using an alternate embodiment for the present invention where the base alignment assembly includes two guiding walls and the base block includes two lower channels on each of its transversal walls. 
       FIG. 4  represents an isometric view of a base block used with the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4   a  is an end elevational view of the base block represented in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of another of the preferred embodiments for the construction block, used in the system represented in  FIG. 1  and also used in the alternate system shown in  FIG. 3  as other than the base block. This embodiment does not include upper transversal slanted walls. 
       FIG. 5A  is an end elevational view of the block represented in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  represents an isometric view of yet another embodiment for a base block, used in the system without the upper transversal slanted walls. 
       FIG. 6   a  is an end elevational view of the base block represented in  FIG. 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes block  15 , base alignment tool and row leveling assembly  80  and reinforcement tool assembly  90 . An alternate embodiment  100  is shown in  FIG. 3  with base block  115  and block  15  with alternate base alignment tool assembly  180 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 2 , block  15  includes longitudinal walls  20  and  40  and transversal walls  30 ,  50  and  70 . Longitudinal walls  20  and  40  are disposed at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and perpendicularly with respect to transversal walls  30 ,  50  and  70 . Walls  20  and  40 ,  30 ,  50  and  70  define internal cavities  60  (between walls  30  and  50 ) and  62  (between walls  50  and  70 ). Block  15  also includes upper edges  21  and  41  of longitudinal walls  20  and  40 , respectively, that terminate with upper slanted walls  22  and  42 . Walls  20  and  40  also include side edges  34  and  74 , for wall  20 , and side edges  36  and  76 , for wall  40 , that extend perpendicularly from upper edge  21  and lower edge  23 ; upper edge  41  and lower edge  43 , respectively. Side edges  34 ;  36 ;  74  and  76  include side edge slanted walls  27 ;  29 ;  47  and  49 . Side edge slanted walls  27  and  29  (for wall  20 ) extend vertically. In the same way, side edge slanted walls  47  and  49  (for wall  40 ) extend vertically. Side edge slanted walls  27 ,  29 ,  47  and  49 , form vertical grooves  16  when abutting blocks  15  are positioned in the same row to receive the cementitious substance typically used to keep blocks together. 
   Block  15  also has lower edges  23  and  43  of longitudinal walls  20  and  40 , respectively, that terminate with lower slanted walls  24  and  44 , as best seen in  FIG. 2A . Upper slanted walls  22  and  42  of vertically contiguous blocks form longitudinal grooves  17  that receive the cementitious substance when at least two rows of blocks are completed. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 2 , transversal walls  30 ,  50  and  70  include upper edges  31 ,  51  and  71 , respectively. Upper edge  31  includes upper slanted wall  38  and channel  32 . Similarly, upper edge  51  includes channel  52  and upper edge  71  includes upper slanted wall  78  and upper channel  72 . Channels  32 ,  52  and  72  are longitudinally aligned and cooperatively receive row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90 . Transversal walls  30 ,  50  and  70  also include lower edges  33 ,  53  and  73 , respectively. Lower edge  33  includes channel  35 . Similarly, lower edge  53  includes channel  55  and lower edge  73  includes channel  75 . Channels  35 ;  55 ;  75  are longitudinally aligned. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , channels  35 ;  55 ;  75  of the base row of blocks  15  receive guiding wall  86 , of base alignment tool assembly  80 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , base alignment tool assembly  80  is a base tool for horizontally aligning the lowermost row of blocks  15 . Base alignment tool assembly  80 , also permits a user to level the base when the footing (or horizontal surface that is supporting assembly  80 ) has irregularities. Base alignment tool assembly  80  includes longitudinally extending sheet  82  with perpendicularly mounted guiding wall  86 . Guiding wall  86  includes through openings  86 ′, at its longitudinal ends. Guiding wall  86  is cooperatively positioned to be inserted into channels  35 ,  55  and  75 . Sheet  82  includes through threaded openings  81 , in the preferred embodiment, disposed along the entire length of sheet  82  and adjacent to the longitudinal edges of sheet  82 . Through openings  83  are also disposed along the entire length of sheet  82 . Through openings  84  are cooperatively disposed in vertical alignment with cavities  60  and  62 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 1   b , through openings  81  cooperatively and selectively receive screw members  85 , or fastening similar members. Screw members  85  level base alignment tool assembly  80  when horizontal leveling is required. Additionally, pin members  87  pass through openings  83  on individual sheets  82 . Pin members  87  cooperatively fix base alignment tool assembly  80  to a substantially horizontal supporting surface avoiding any lateral movement of the latter while the user is leveling it with screw members  85 . Through openings  83  receive pin members  87  therethrough. Once base alignment tool assembly  80  is aligned with pin member  87  and screw members  85  and the first row of block  15  is installed, cavities  60  and  62  are filled up with a light cementitious substance that goes through openings  84  to seal any open spaces under base alignment tool assembly  80 . 
   Base alignment tool assembly  80  also includes securing plate  88  with headed pin members  89  and  99  perpendicularly mounted to surface  187 , as seen in  FIG. 1   a . Headed pin members  89  and  99  include, in the preferred embodiment, bifurcated heads  189  and  0 . 199  with slits  189 ′ and  199 ′, respectively, to provide a resilient action to each head half portion. Longitudinally extending sheet  82  may have different dimensions. Depending on the required dimensions of the wall to be built, more than one longitudinally extending sheet  82  are used. To lockingly secure two adjacent sheets  82  the user aligns them, mounting plates  88  to contiguous ends of guiding walls  86  and mounting headed pin members  89  and  99  to guiding wall  86  by passing the former through openings  86 ′. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 1 , row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90  is, in the preferred embodiment, a straight elongated rigid member. Row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90  is partially received by channels  32 ;  52 ;  72 ;  35 ;  55  and  75  of adjacent blocks  15 , to facilitate the vertical and horizontal alignment of the rows. Row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90  also provide reinforcement to the wall structure by interlocking the adjacent blocks in a same row and the blocks in the adjacent rows. Row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90  has a substantially elongated rectangular shape with cooperative dimensions to be receivable by upper longitudinally aligned channels  32 , 52  and  72 , as well as longitudinally aligned lower channels  35 ;  55  and  75  of blocks  15 . 
   An alternate construction block system embodiment is referred to with numeral  100  and is represented in  FIG. 3 . Construction block system  100  includes base alignment tool assembly  180  with two guiding walls ( 186  and  188 ) and construction block  115 . Blocks  115  are installed in the base (first) row with base alignment tool  180 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 4A , block  115  has substantially the same shape and dimensions as block  15  with longitudinal walls  120  and  140  and transversal walls  130 ,  150  and  170 , defining internal cavities  160  (between walls  130  and  150 ) and  162  (between walls  150  and  170 ). Block  115  has upper edges  121  and  141  for walls  120  and  140 , respectively, that terminate with upper slanted walls  122  and  142 . Also, lower edges  123  and  143  for walls  120  and  140 , respectively, terminate with lower slanted walls  124  and  144 , as best seen in  FIG. 4   a . Walls  120  and  140  also include side edges  134  and  174 , for wall  120 , and side edges  136  and  176 , for wall  140 , that extend perpendicularly from edges  121  and  123 ;  141  and  143  respectively. Side edges  134 ;  136 ;  174  and  176  include side edge slanted walls  127 ;  129 ;  147  and  149 . Side edge slanted walls  127  and  129  (for wall  120 ) extend vertically and perpendicularly to upper edge  121 . In the same way, side edge slanted walls  147  and  149  (for wall  140 ) extend vertically and perpendicularly to upper edge  141 . Walls  127 ,  129 ,  147  and  149 , form vertical grooves when abutting blocks  115  are positioned in the same row to receive a cementitious substance typically used to keep blocks together. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 4 , transversal walls  130 ,  150  and  170  include upper edges  131 ,  151  and  171 , respectively. Upper edge  131  includes upper slanted wall  138  and channel  132 . Similarly, upper edge  151  includes channel  152  and upper edge  171  includes upper slanted wall  178  and upper channel  172 . Channels  132 ,  152  and  172  are longitudinally aligned and receive row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90 . Transversal walls  130 ,  150  and  170  also include lower edges  133 ,  153  and  173 , respectively. As represented in  FIG. 4 , lower edge  131  includes channels  135  and  135 ′. Similarly, lower edge  153  includes channels  155  and  155 ′ and lower edge  173  includes channels  175  and  175 ′. Longitudinally aligned channels  135 ,  155  and  175  of block  115  receive guiding wall  186  and longitudinally aligned channels  135 ′,  155 ′ and  175 ′ receive guiding wall  188  of base alignment tool assembly  180 , therein. 
     FIG. 3  shows an alternate embodiment for base alignment tool assembly  180  including two guiding walls  186  and  188 . Similar to base alignment tool assembly  80 , base alignment tool assembly  180  is a base tool for horizontally aligning the lowermost row of blocks  115 . Base alignment tool assembly  180  includes longitudinally extending sheet  182  with perpendicularly mounted guiding walls  186  and  188 . Guiding walls  186  and  188  are at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. Guiding walls  186  and  188  includes through openings  186 ′ and  188 ′, respectively, at their longitudinal ends. Sheet  182  has a cooperative width so guiding walls  186  and  188  be inserted into channels  135 ,  155 ,  175  and  135 ′,  155 ′,  175 ′, respectively of block  115 . Sheet  182  includes through openings  181 , in the preferred embodiment, disposed along the entire length of sheet  182  and adjacent to guiding walls  186  and  188 , through openings  183 , also disposed along the entire length of sheet  182  and at its center, and through openings  184  cooperatively disposed so four openings  184  are positioned within the position each cavity  160  and  162 . Through openings  183  cooperatively and selectively receive screw members  185  for cooperative alignment of tool assembly  180  when required. Additionally, pin members  187  pass the through openings  183  next to the ends of sheet  182 . Pin members  187  cooperatively fix base alignment tool assembly  180  avoiding any lateral movement of the latter while the user is leveling it with screw members  185 . Through openings  183  receive pin members  187  only in the event that sheet  120  is cut. 
   Similar to base alignment tool assembly  80 , two base alignment tool assemblies  180  are secured to each other with securing plate  88 . To lockingly secure two adjacent sheets  182  the user aligns them, mounting plates  88  to contiguous ends of guiding walls  186  and  188  and mounting headed pin members  89  and  99  to guiding walls  186  and  188  by passing the former through openings  186 ′ as well as through openings  188 ′. 
   Still another construction block embodiment is referred to with numeral  215  and is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5   a . Construction block  215  has the same configuration of block  15  with longitudinal walls  220  and  240  and transversal walls  230 ,  250  and  270 . Construction block  215  includes upper slanted walls  238  and  278  on upper edges  231  and  271 , respectively. Similarly to block  15 , upper edge  231  includes channel  232 , upper edge  251  includes channel  252  and upper edge  271  includes upper channel  272  to cooperatively receive row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90 . Channels  231 ;  151  and  271  are longitudinally aligned. Lower edges  233 ;  253  and  273  include longitudinally aligned channels  235 ;  255  and  275 , respectively. Channels  235 ;  255 ;  275  of the base row of blocks  215  receive guiding wall  86 , of base alignment tool assembly  80 . Channels  235 ;  255 ;  275  of rows of blocks  215 , other than the base row, receive leveling tool assembly  90  therein. 
   Yet another construction block embodiment is referred to with numeral  315  and is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6   a . Construction block  315  has the same configuration of block  115  with longitudinal walls  320  and  340  and transversal walls  330 ,  350  and  370 . Construction block  315  includes upper slanted walls  338  and  378  on upper edges  331  and  371 , respectively. Similarly to block  115 , upper edge  331  includes channel  332 , upper edge  351  includes channel  352  and upper edge  371  includes upper channel  372  to cooperatively receive row leveling and reinforcement tool assembly  90 . Channels  331 ;  351  and  371  are longitudinally aligned. Lower edge  333  includes channels  335  and  335 ′, lower edge  353  includes channels  355  and  355 ′ and lower edge  373  includes channels  375  and  375 ′. Channels  335 ,  355  and  375  of block  315  are longitudinally aligned and receive guiding wall  186  and channels  335 ′,  355 ′ and  375 ′ are longitudinally aligned and receive wall  188  of base alignment tool assembly  180 , therein. 
   The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.