Interlocking and insulated construction blocks

An interlocking and insulated construction block includes a first pair of parallel, opposing sides and a second pair of parallel, opposing sides extending normal to the first pair of opposing sides. At least one cavity or recess extends through the construction block and includes a first volume of thermal insulation material. One or both sides of the first pair of opposing sides includes a pair of staggered engaging members or a pair of staggered receiving members configured to engage or lock with a mating pair of engaging members or receiving members of another insulated construction block. A plurality of different embodiments of the interlocking and insulated construction blocks may be provided in a set, and provide for mortar-less construction of walls due to their interlocking nature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to building construction and the like, and particularly to interlocking and insulated construction blocks for forming walls with a relatively high U-value.

2. Description of the Related Art

The “U-value” of a building element is the inverse of the total thermal resistance of that element. In other words, the U-value is a measure of how much heat is lost through a given thickness of a particular material. The efficiency desirability of insulated construction materials is generally measured by the U-value of the material. A common and relatively simple method for increasing the U-value of a wall is to affix a layer of insulation material thereto. In such common constructions, the insulated layer is then covered with a special type of render (i.e., plasterwork) or cladding, thus forming a two layer system; i.e., one insulating layer and a second outer layer for weather protection.

Another conventional construction method for further increasing the U-value involves using two leaves of hollow block wall, with the inner leaf of the block wall being relatively thicker. In such constructions, the two leaves of the wall are separated by a thermal insulation layer. The outer surface of the wall is protected against weather by plastering or affixing tiles. Thus one layer is for insulation, and a second outer layer is for weather protection. Typical insulation materials include expanded and/or extruded polystyrene, mineral wool, polyurethane foam and phenolic foam.

The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is determined based on the heat transmission characteristics of the different materials used in the construction of the wall and the U-value requirements of the region. The U-value requirements ultimately depend on the weather conditions of the region, which are typically measured in terms of the degree-days. The use of conventional two layer systems of the thermal protection is not only expensive, but also time consuming. Further, the attachment of the layers requires special care due to a high risk of frequent failure and detachment. Additionally, although conventional construction blocks of one wall thickness (typically on the order of 20 cm wide) are available with one layer of insulation, the insulation is usually not enough to meet the U-value requirements of extremely hot arid regions. Thus, interlocking and insulated construction blocks solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An interlocking and insulated construction block includes a generally rectangular block at least one cavity or recess extending through the construction block. A volume of thermal insulation material is disposed in the at least one cavity. At least one side of the block includes a pair of staggered engaging members or a pair of staggered receiving members configured to engage or lock with a mating pair of engaging members or receiving members of another insulated construction block.

A plurality of different types of insulated masonry blocks may be provided in a set, and provide for mortar-less construction of walls due to their interlocking nature. The interlocking and insulated construction blocks may be used in the construction of external infill walls and the like. Some embodiments of the construction block includes two staggered cavities with thermally insulating material disposed therein. The staggering of the insulation-filled cavities provides the construction blocks with a U-value equal to, or less than, conventional construction elements which use a separate insulation layer. For example, the U-value of the present construction blocks can be about 0.39 W/m2K.

A first type of interlocking and insulated construction block, which may serve as an intermediate block in wall construction or the like, includes first and second rectangular portions. Each of the first and second rectangular portions include a pair of longitudinally opposed walls and a pair of laterally opposed walls, and each portion further has open top and bottom ends and defines an open interior region. First and second volumes of thermal insulation material respectively fill the open interior regions of the first and second rectangular portions. The walls of the first and second rectangular portions may be formed from any suitable material, such as lightweight concrete, geopolymer or the like, and any suitable thermally insulating material may be used, such as expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, polyurethane foam, urethane foam, phenolic foam, cellulose, glass wool, rock wool, vermiculite, perlite, plant fibers, and combinations thereof.

The first and second rectangular portions are vertically aligned with respect to one another and are further longitudinally staggered with respect to one another. One of the laterally opposed walls of the first rectangular portion and one of the laterally opposed walls of the second rectangular portion define a central panel. The central panel has opposed top and bottom ends, with the top end thereof being vertically raised with respect to the open top ends of the first and second rectangular portions to define a vertical engaging member. Correspondingly, the bottom end thereof is vertically raised with respect to the open bottom ends of the first and second rectangular portions to define a vertical engaging recess.

Additionally, one of the longitudinally opposed walls of each of the first and second rectangular portions defines a horizontal engaging member, with a horizontal engaging recess being defined in the respective one of the first and second rectangular portions longitudinally opposite the corresponding horizontal engaging member. In use, two of the interlocking and insulated construction blocks may be interconnected by first horizontally aligning the blocks, and then locking the horizontal engaging members of one of the blocks into the corresponding horizontal engaging recesses of the other block. Similarly, two of the blocks may be vertically interconnected by first vertically aligning the blocks, and then vertically locking the vertical engaging member of one of the blocks into the corresponding vertical engaging recess of the other block.

A second type of block, which may serve as an end block, also includes first and second rectangular portions. Each of the first and second rectangular portions includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls and a pair of laterally opposed walls, and each portion further has open top and bottom ends and defines an open interior region. First and second volumes of thermal insulation material respectively fill the open interior regions of the first and second rectangular portions. Unlike the first type of block, in which the first and second rectangular portions are longitudinally staggered, one of the longitudinally opposed walls of the first portion of the second type of block is horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of the longitudinally opposed walls of the second portion, thus forming a continuous planar end face.

Similar to the first type of block, each of the first and second rectangular portions of the second type of block are vertically aligned with respect to one another, but the first rectangular portion has a greater longitudinal length than a longitudinal length of the second rectangular portion. One of the laterally opposed walls of the first rectangular portion and one of the laterally opposed walls of the second rectangular portion define a central panel, with the central panel having opposed top and bottom ends. The top end thereof is vertically raised with respect to the top ends of the first and second rectangular portions to define a vertical engaging member, and the bottom end thereof is vertically raised with respect to the bottom ends of the first and second rectangular portions to define a vertical engaging recess. Further, one of the longitudinally opposed walls of each of the first and second rectangular portions defines a horizontal engaging member. In use, the second type of interlocking and insulated construction block may be interconnected horizontally with one of the first type of blocks by first horizontally aligning the blocks, and then locking the horizontal engaging members of the second type of block into the corresponding horizontal engaging recesses of the first type of block. Similarly, two of the second type of blocks may be vertically interconnected by first vertically aligning the blocks, and then vertically locking the vertical engaging member of one of the blocks into the corresponding vertical engaging recess of the other block. In an alternative embodiment, each horizontal engaging member of the first and second rectangular portions may be replaced by a horizontal engaging recess, thus allowing the second type of block to receive the horizontal engaging members of the first type of block.

A third type of block, which may also serve as an end block, also includes first and second rectangular portions. Each of the first and second rectangular portions includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls and a pair of laterally opposed walls, and each portion further has top and bottom ends. Unlike the second type of block, the first rectangular portion of the third type of block solely has open top and bottom ends and defines an open interior region. The second rectangular portion is a solid and continuous piece of lightweight concrete, geopolymer or the like; i.e., a volume of thermal insulation material only fills the open interior region of the first rectangular portion.

Unlike the first type of block, and similar to the second type of block, one of the longitudinally opposed walls of the first portion of the second type of block is horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of the longitudinally opposed walls of the second portion, thus forming a continuous planar end face. Similar to the first and second types of block, each of the first and second rectangular portions of the third type of block are vertically aligned with respect to one another, but the first rectangular portion has a greater longitudinal length than a longitudinal length of the second rectangular portion. One of the laterally opposed walls of the first rectangular portion and one of the laterally opposed walls of the second rectangular portion define a central panel, with the central panel having opposed top and bottom ends. The top end thereof is vertically raised with respect to the top ends of the first and second rectangular portions to define a vertical engaging member, and the bottom end thereof is vertically raised with respect to the bottom ends of the first and second rectangular portions to define a vertical engaging recess. One of the longitudinally opposed walls of each of the first and second rectangular portions defines a horizontal engaging member.

In use, the third type of interlocking and insulated construction block may be interconnected horizontally with one of the first type of blocks by first horizontally aligning the blocks, and then locking the horizontal engaging members of the third type of block into the corresponding horizontal engaging recesses of the first type of block. Similarly, two of the third type of blocks may be vertically interconnected by first vertically aligning the blocks, and then vertically locking the vertical engaging member of one of the blocks into the corresponding vertical engaging recess of the other block. Alternatively, similar to the second type of blocks, each horizontal engaging member of the first and second rectangular portions may be replaced by a horizontal engaging recess, thus allowing the third type of block to receive the horizontal engaging members of the first type of block.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An insulated construction block can include a generally rectangular block having a first pair of parallel, opposing sides and a second pair of parallel, opposing sides extending normal to the first pair of opposing sides. At least one cavity or recess can extend through the construction block. A first volume of thermal insulation material can be disposed in at least one cavity. One or both sides of the first pair of opposing sides can include a pair of engaging members or a pair of receiving members configured to engage or lock with a mating pair of engaging members or receiving members of another insulated construction block. As described in more detail herein, the pair of engaging members can include a first tongue and a second tongue in staggered relation to each other. The receiving members can include a first groove and a second groove in staggered relation to each other.

FIGS. 1-3show a first embodiment of an interlocking and insulated construction block10. The block10may serve as an intermediate block in wall construction or the like, and includes first and second rectangular portions12,14, respectively. The first rectangular portion12includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls16,18and a pair of laterally opposed walls20,22. The first rectangular portion12further has an open top end40and an open bottom end44. In the orientation ofFIG. 1, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the x-axis, the lateral direction corresponds to the y-axis, and the vertical direction corresponds to the z-axis. The walls16,18,20,22of the first rectangular portion12define an open interior region therebetween. Similarly, the second rectangular portion14includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls24,26and a pair of laterally opposed walls28,30. The second rectangular portion14also has an open top end42and an open bottom end46. The walls24,26,28,30of the second rectangular portion14also define an open interior region therebetween.

First and second volumes of thermal insulation material56,58respectively fill the open interior regions of the first and second rectangular portions12,14. The walls16,18,20,22,24,26,28,30of the first and second rectangular portions12,14may be formed from any suitable material, such as lightweight concrete, geopolymer or the like, and any suitable thermally insulating material may be used, such as expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, polyurethane foam, urethane foam, phenolic foam, cellulose, glass wool, rock wool, vermiculite, perlite, plant fibers, and combinations thereof.

The first and second rectangular portions12,14are vertically aligned with respect to one another (i.e., the top ends40,42are vertically aligned, as are the bottom ends44,46) and are further longitudinally staggered with respect to one another (as best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). As best seen inFIG. 1, laterally opposed wall22of the first rectangular portion12and laterally opposed wall30of the second rectangular portion14define a central panel32. As best shown inFIG. 3, the central panel32has opposed top and bottom ends,34,38, respectively, with the top end34being vertically raised with respect to the open top ends40,42of the first and second rectangular portions12,14, respectively, to define a vertical tongue engaging member. Correspondingly, the bottom end38of panel32is vertically raised with respect to the open bottom ends44,46of the first and second rectangular portions12,14, respectively, to define a vertical groove or engaging recess36.

Additionally, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, longitudinally opposed walls16,24of the first and second rectangular portions12,14, respectively, define horizontal tongues or engaging members48,50, respectively, with horizontal grooves or engaging recesses52,54being defined in the first and second rectangular portions12,14. In use, as shown inFIG. 2, two of the interlocking and insulated construction blocks10may be interconnected by first horizontally aligning the blocks10, and then locking the horizontal engaging members48,50of one of the blocks10into the corresponding horizontal engaging recesses52,54of the other block10. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 3, two of the blocks10may be vertically interconnected by first vertically aligning the blocks10, and then vertically locking the vertical engaging member34of one of the blocks10into the corresponding vertical engaging recess36of the other block10.

It should be understood that blocks10may be manufactured in a wide variety of differing sizes and relative dimensions. However, exemplary dimensions for block10may include a longitudinal length of each outer, longitudinally extending wall (i.e., walls20,28ofFIG. 1) of 400 mm, a corresponding longitudinal length of walls22,30of 400 mm, a longitudinal length of each horizontal engaging member (and depth of each horizontal engaging recess) of 25 mm, a longitudinal length of insulation of 325 mm, an individual wall thickness of 25 mm, a lateral length of insulation of 50 mm, and a lateral length of the central panel of 50 mm. The overall lateral length of block10in this example is 200 mm. The vertical height of each portion12,14is 200 mm, and the height of the vertical engaging member34(and the corresponding depth of vertical engaging recess36) is 25 mm. Assuming a density of expanded polystyrene as 30 kg/m3(used as an exemplary insulating material), the approximate weight of one such block10would be about 19.4 kg.

A second type of block100is shown inFIG. 4. The second embodiment of block100may serve as an end block and, similar to the first embodiment of block10, includes first and second rectangular portions112,114, respectively. The first rectangular portion112includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls116,118and a pair of laterally opposed walls120,122. The first rectangular portion112further has an open top end140and an open bottom end144. The walls116,118,120,122of the first rectangular portion112define an open interior region therebetween. Similarly, the second rectangular portion114includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls124,126and a pair of laterally opposed walls128,130. The second rectangular portion114also has an open top end142and an open bottom end146. The walls124,126,128,130of the second rectangular portion114also define an open interior region therebetween.

Similar to the first embodiment of block, first and second volumes of thermal insulation material156,158respectively fill the open interior regions of the first and second rectangular portions112,114. The walls116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130of the first and second rectangular portions112,114may be formed from any suitable material, such as lightweight concrete, geopolymer or the like, and any suitable thermally insulating material may be used, such as expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, polyurethane foam, urethane foam, phenolic foam, cellulose, glass wool, rock wool, vermiculite, perlite, plant fibers, and combinations thereof.

Unlike the first embodiment of block10, in which the first and second rectangular portions12,14are longitudinally staggered, one of the longitudinally opposed walls116of the first portion112of the second embodiment of block100is horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of the longitudinally opposed walls124of the second portion, thus forming a continuous planar end face, allowing the second embodiment of block100to be used as an end block in construction. Similar to the first embodiment of block10, each of the first and second rectangular portions112,114of the second embodiment of block100are vertically aligned with respect to one another (i.e., the top ends140,142are vertically aligned, as are the bottom ends144,146), but the first rectangular portion112has a greater longitudinal length than a longitudinal length of the second rectangular portion114, as can be seen inFIG. 4.

As shown inFIG. 4, laterally opposed wall122of the first rectangular portion112and laterally opposed wall130of the second rectangular portion114define a central panel132. Similar to panel32of the first embodiment of block10, central panel132has opposed top and bottom ends, with the top end134being vertically raised with respect to the open top ends140,142of the first and second rectangular portions112,114, respectively, to define a vertical tongue or engaging member. Correspondingly, the bottom end of panel132is vertically raised with respect to the open bottom ends144,146of the first and second rectangular portions112,114, respectively, to define a vertical groove or engaging recess136.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 4, the first and second rectangular portions112,114include horizontal engaging members148,150, respectively. In use, the second embodiment of interlocking and insulated construction block100may be interconnected horizontally with one of the first embodiment of blocks10by first horizontally aligning the blocks10,100, and then locking the horizontal engaging members148,150of the second embodiment of block100into the corresponding horizontal engaging recesses52,54of the first embodiment of block10(similar to the interlocking shown inFIG. 2for the two blocks10). Similarly, two of the second embodiment of blocks100may be vertically interconnected by first vertically aligning the blocks100, and then vertically locking the vertical engaging member134of one of the blocks100into the corresponding vertical engaging recess136of the other block100(similar to the interlocking shown inFIG. 3for the two blocks10).

It should be understood that blocks100may be manufactured in a wide variety of differing sizes and relative dimensions. However, exemplary dimensions for block100may include a longitudinal length of wall120of 400 mm, a longitudinal length of wall128of 300 mm, a longitudinal length of wall122of 350 mm, a longitudinal length of wall130of 250 mm, a longitudinal length of each horizontal engaging member of 25 mm, a longitudinal length of insulation material156of 300 mm, a longitudinal length of insulation material158of 200 mm, an individual wall thickness of 25 mm with a double thickness (i.e., 50 mm) for the continuous wall formed by wall116and wall124, a lateral length of insulation of 50 mm, and a lateral length of the central panel of 50 mm. The overall lateral length of block100in this example is 200 mm. The vertical height of each portion112,114is 200 mm, and the height of the vertical engaging member134(and the corresponding depth of vertical engaging recess136) is 25 mm. The weight of full-size end block100would be slightly less than that of the intermediate block10.

In the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 5, interlocking and insulated construction block400is identical to interlocking and insulated construction block100, but each horizontal engaging member148,150of the first and second rectangular portions112,114, respectively, of the second embodiment of block100is replaced by a horizontal engaging recess, thus allowing the block400to receive the horizontal engaging members48,50of the first embodiment of block10. Briefly, as shown inFIG. 5, block400includes first and second rectangular portions412,414, respectively. The first rectangular portion412includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls416,418and a pair of laterally opposed walls420,422. The walls416,418,420,422of the first rectangular portion412define an open interior region therebetween. Similarly, the second rectangular portion414includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls424,426and a pair of laterally opposed walls428,430. The walls424,426,428,430of the second rectangular portion414also define an open interior region therebetween. Similar to the first and second embodiments of the blocks, first and second volumes of thermal insulation material456,458respectively fill the open interior regions of the first and second rectangular portions412,414.

FIG. 5illustrates the interlocking and insulated construction block400being horizontally connected with block10of the first embodiment. Here, the two blocks10,400are first horizontally aligned, and then the horizontal engaging members48,50of block10are locked into the corresponding horizontal engaging recesses452,454of block400.

A third embodiment of block200is shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B. The third embodiment of block200may serve as a half-size end block and, similar to the first and second embodiments of blocks10,100, includes first and second rectangular portions212,214, respectively. The first rectangular portion212includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls216,218and a pair of laterally opposed walls220,222. The first rectangular portion212further has an open top end240and an open bottom end244. The walls216,218,220,222of the first rectangular portion212define an open interior region. Unlike the second embodiment of block100, only the first rectangular portion212of the third embodiment of block200has open top and bottom ends and defines an open interior region.

The second rectangular portion214is also defined by a pair of longitudinally opposed walls224,226and a pair of laterally opposed walls228,230. However, the second rectangular portion214is a solid piece, e.g., a solid and continuous piece of lightweight concrete, geopolymer or the like. In block200, the volume of thermal insulation material only fills the first rectangular portion212, not the second rectangular portion. Thus, the second rectangular portion214has closed, or continuous, top and bottom ends242,246, respectively.

Unlike the first embodiment of block10, and similar to the second embodiment of block100, one of the longitudinally opposed walls216of the first portion212of the third embodiment of block200is horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of the longitudinally opposed walls224of the second portion214, thus forming a continuous planar end face, allowing the third embodiment of block200to be used as a half-size end block in construction. Similar to the first embodiment of block10, each of the first and second rectangular portions212,214of the third embodiment of block200are vertically aligned with respect to one another (i.e., the top ends240,242are vertically aligned, as are the bottom ends244,246), but the first rectangular portion212has a greater longitudinal length than a longitudinal length of the second rectangular portion214, as can be seen inFIGS. 6A and 6B.

As shown inFIG. 6A, laterally opposed wall222of the first rectangular portion212and laterally opposed wall230of the second rectangular portion214define a central panel232. Similar to panel32of the first embodiment of block10, central panel232has opposed top and bottom ends, with the top end234being vertically raised with respect to the top ends240,242of the first and second rectangular portions212,214, respectively, to define a vertical engaging member. Correspondingly, the bottom end of panel232is vertically raised with respect to the bottom ends244,246of the first and second rectangular portions212,214, respectively, to define a vertical engaging recess236.

Additionally, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, longitudinally opposed walls218,226of the first and second rectangular portions212,214, respectively, define horizontal engaging members248,250, respectively. In use, the third embodiment of interlocking and insulated construction block200may be interconnected horizontally with one of the first embodiment of blocks10in a manner similar to that described above with regard to the previous embodiments. Similarly, two of the third embodiment of blocks100may be vertically interconnected in a manner similar to that described above. Further, it should be understood that similar to the second embodiment of interlock and insulated construction block200, as described above, each horizontal engaging member248,250of the first and second rectangular portions212,214, respectively, of the second embodiment of block200may be replaced by a horizontal engaging recess, thus allowing the block200to receive the horizontal engaging members48,50of the first embodiment of block10.

It should be understood that blocks200may be manufactured in a wide variety of differing sizes and relative dimensions. However, exemplary dimensions for block200may include a longitudinal length of wall220of 200 mm, a longitudinal length of wall228of 100 mm, a longitudinal length of wall222of 150 mm, a longitudinal length of wall230of 50 mm, a longitudinal length of each horizontal engaging member of 25 mm, a longitudinal length of insulation material256of 100 mm, an individual wall thickness of 25 mm with a double thickness (i.e., 50 mm) for the continuous wall formed by wall216and wall224, a lateral length of insulation of 50 mm, and a lateral length of the central panel of 50 mm. The overall lateral length of block200in this example is 200 mm. The vertical height of each portion212,214is 200 mm, and the height of the vertical engaging member234(and the corresponding depth of vertical engaging recess236) is 25 mm. The weight of a half-size end block200would be less than half of the weight of intermediate block10(i.e., less than 9.7 kg).

Multiple ones of each embodiment of interlocking and insulated construction block may be provided together in a set for the mortar-less, modular construction of buildings.FIG. 7Aillustrates an exemplary linear construction in which the second embodiment of block100and the third embodiment of block200(i.e., each embodiment of end block) are arranged about a conventional reinforced concrete (RC) column. Intermediate blocks10are respectively interconnected to each of the end blocks100,200.FIG. 7Billustrates an exemplary corner construction utilizing two of the third embodiment of blocks200, arranged 90° with respect to one another about a conventional RC column, with each being respectively interconnected to a corresponding intermediate block10.FIG. 7Cillustrates a further exemplary corner construction utilizing one of the second embodiments of blocks100arranged 90° with respect to an alternative second embodiment of block400(i.e., the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 5) about a conventional reinforced concrete (RC) column, with each end block being respectively interconnected to a corresponding intermediate block10.

In the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 8, the block300is identical to the block10ofFIGS. 1-3, but the horizontal engaging members48,50of block10, which each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional contour, have been replaced by horizontal engaging members348,350, which each have a substantially semi-circular contour. The corresponding horizontal engaging recesses52,54of block10, which have similar rectangular cross-sectional contours, have also been replaced by horizontal engaging recesses352,354, which have substantially semi-circular cross-sectional contours. It should be understood that the engaging members of each embodiment of block described above, and their corresponding engaging recesses, may have any suitable type of contouring.

Briefly, interlocking and insulated construction block300includes first and second rectangular portions312,314, respectively. The first rectangular portion312includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls316,318and a pair of laterally opposed walls320,322. The first rectangular portion312further has an open top end340and an open bottom end344. The walls316,318,320,322of the first rectangular portion312define an open interior region. Similarly, the second rectangular portion314includes a pair of longitudinally opposed walls324,326and a pair of laterally opposed walls328,330. The second rectangular portion314also has an open top end342and an open bottom end346. The walls324,326,328,330of the second rectangular portion314also define an open interior region. First and second volumes of thermal insulation material356,358respectively fill the open interior regions of the first and second rectangular portions312,314.

The first and second rectangular portions312,314are vertically aligned with respect to one another (i.e., the top ends340,342are vertically aligned, as are the bottom ends344,346) and are further longitudinally staggered with respect to one another. Laterally opposed wall322of the first rectangular portion312and laterally opposed wall330of the second rectangular portion314define a central panel332. The central panel332has opposed top and bottom ends, with the top end334being vertically raised with respect to the open top ends340,342of the first and second rectangular portions312,314, respectively, to define a vertical engaging member. Correspondingly, the bottom end of panel332is vertically raised with respect to the open bottom ends344,346of the first and second rectangular portions312,314, respectively, to define a vertical engaging recess336.

Additionally, longitudinally opposed walls316,324of the first and second rectangular portions312,314, respectively, define horizontal engaging members348,350, respectively, with longitudinally opposite horizontal engaging recesses352,354being defined in the first and second rectangular portions312,314.

It should be understood that any of the above embodiments of the interlocking and insulating construction blocks may have horizontal engaging members (and corresponding horizontal engaging recesses) having any desired cross-sectional contour, such as, for example, the rectangular horizontal engaging members48,50and horizontal engaging recesses52,54of the first type of block10, or the substantially semi-circular horizontal engaging members348,350and horizontal engaging recesses352,354of block300ofFIG. 8. Additionally, it should be understood that any of the embodiments of the second and third types of blocks (i.e., the end blocks) may have either horizontal engaging members, such as horizontal engaging members148,150of block100, or may alternatively have horizontal engaging recesses, such as horizontal engaging recesses348,350of block300.

In order to illustrate the thermal efficiency of the staggered insulated regions of blocks10, three interconnected blocks10(shown inFIG. 9A) are compared against three modeled blocks10′ (shown inFIG. 9B) which include similar first and second rectangular portions housing insulating material, but where the two rectangular portions in each block10′ are aligned; i.e., non-staggered. A similar comparison is made between three interconnected blocks300(shown inFIG. 10A) compared against three modeled blocks300′ (shown inFIG. 10B). Three separate paths of heat transmission (indicated as Path-1, Path-2 and Path-3 inFIGS. 9A-10B) are considered.

Table 1 below shows the calculated U-values for the differing paths of heat transmission, and Table 2 below shows the calculated U-values for differing types of construction blocks; i.e., a comparison between those of the present invention against blocks with a non-staggered configuration.

In Table 2, calculations are made for one block length of wall, which is repeated in the wall configuration. Table 2 clearly shows an increase in the insulating efficiency of the staggered configuration (i.e., the intermediate blocks of the present invention) when compared against similar types of construction blocks having non-staggered cavities. The calculations are based on the following exemplary dimensions for each individual construction block: a longitudinal length of each outer, longitudinally extending wall (i.e., walls20,28ofFIG. 1) of 400 mm, a longitudinal length of each horizontal engaging member (and depth of each horizontal engaging recess) of 25 mm, a longitudinal length of insulation of 325 mm, an individual wall thickness of 25 mm, a lateral length of insulation of 50 mm, and a lateral length of the central panel of 50 mm. One can see in Table 2 that the staggered configuration of the present invention reduces the U-value of the external wall from 0.74 (for non-staggered) to 0.39 W/m2K (i.e., a 47% reduction).