Linkage brick assembly and assembly method thereof

A linkage brick assembly, comprising: a least one first linkage brick, at least one second linkage brick and at least one third linkage brick, each linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face. Each of the side faces of the first linkage brick forms a traverse engaging groove extending laterally. Each of two opposite side faces of the four side faces of the second linkage brick forms a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally and each of the other two opposite side faces forms a vertical engaging portion extending vertically. Each of the side faces of the third linkage brick forms a vertical engaging groove extending vertically. Each of the traverse engaging grooves of the first linkage brick is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick through lateral sliding. Each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage brick is used to engage with each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick through downward sliding. Due to the above structures, fast assembly of the linkage brick assembly of a large area can be achieved by means of the interlocking of only three types of linkage bricks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a linkage brick assembly and an assembly method of the linkage brick assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a linkage brick assembly and assembly method by which linkage bricks (also called interlocking bricks or interlocking paving bricks) can be quickly and easily assembled.

Discussion of the Background

The conventional linkage brick assembly is formed by assembling linkage bricks having structures that can match one another in an integral way, such that the advantage of convenient delivery and assembly can be obtained. However, the conventional linkage brick still has many shortcomings, for example, excessive weight, complicated assembling steps and not being able to be assembled simultaneously at multiple positions, which results in re-assembly that requires taking all portions apart once erroneous assembly occurs.

A conventional linkage brick can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,144 and Taiwanese utility model patent TWM470115. In linkage bricks disclosed in the above patents or other conventional linkage bricks, the demand for assembly makes the linkage bricks comprise too many unnecessary engaging structures, for example, a linkage brick being polygonal requires that the engaging structure be formed on every side in order to satisfy the requirement for assembly.

Due to the polygonal configuration of the conventional linkage brick mentioned above, the areas of side faces thereof are relatively small, which further leads to a smaller engaging structure allowed to be formed on each side face and thus has a serious impact on the strength of the engaging structure. If the strength provided by the engaging structure is not sufficient, an up-and-down relative displacement of each linkage brick may result from pedestrians or vehicles passing through the linkage brick assembly, which will diminish the flatness of the linkage brick assembly.

Though an elastic latch is added to Taiwanese utility model patent TWM470115 to prevent the linkage bricks from disengagement and protrusion, such elastic latch increases the difficulty in disassembling, exchanging or repairing the linkage brick assembly because an additional tool is required for these activities.

Furthermore, the engaging structure (especially the engaging recess) of the conventional linkage brick extends so long that it forms an opening on the surface of the linkage brick, which will remain on the top face of the linkage brick and form an opening after the assembly of the linkage bricks. Such opening will cause rain to leak out or danger to walking pedestrians (for example, falling due to a heel of a shoe being trapped in the opening).

The linkage brick assembly of the subject invention is intended to solve the long-standing problems and defects of the conventional linkage bricks aforementioned. In addition, the subject invention uses special structural designs to obtain the advantage of easy and fast assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the subject invention, the subject invention provides a linkage brick assembly, comprising: at least one first linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a traverse engaging groove extending laterally; at least one second linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally, and each of the other two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a vertical engaging protrusion extending vertically; and at least one third linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a vertical engaging groove extending vertically;

wherein each of the traverse engaging grooves of the first linkage brick is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick through lateral sliding, and each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage brick is used to engage with each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick through downward sliding; and wherein a top face and an outer side face of each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage brick define a wedged corner, and each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage brick correspondingly forms a wedged grooved portion, the wedged corner of each of the vertical engaging protrusions being used to engage with the wedged grooved portion of each of the vertical engaging grooves.

According to another aspect of the subject invention, the subject invention provides a unit assembled brick, comprising: four first linkage bricks, each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a traverse engaging groove extending laterally; four second linkage bricks each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally, and each of the other two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a vertical engaging protrusion extending vertically; and a third linkage brick comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom surface, each of the side faces forming a vertical engaging groove extending vertically;

wherein a top face and an outer side face of each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks defines a wedged corner, and each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage brick correspondingly forms a wedged grooved portion;
wherein the first linkage bricks engage with the second linkage bricks alternately, adjacent traverse engaging grooves of the first linkage bricks engage with adjacent traverse engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks to form a hollow square ring that is arranged into a 3×3 array, and inner sides of the square ring have four vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks; wherein the third linkage brick is placed in the center of the hollow square ring and each of four vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage brick respectively engages with each of four vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks facing the inner sides of the square ring; and wherein the wedged corner of each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks engages with the wedged grooved portion of each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage brick.

According to another aspect of the subject invention, the subject invention provides a linkage brick assembly, comprising: a plurality of the unit assembled bricks, wherein each of the plurality of unit assembled bricks defines a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a traverse engaging groove, a vertical engaging protrusion and a traverse engaging groove sequentially; a plurality of additional second linkage bricks, each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally, and each of the other two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a vertical engaging protrusion extending vertically; a plurality of additional third linkage bricks, each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a vertical engaging groove extending vertically; wherein the traverse engaging protrusions of the plurality of second linkage bricks are used to engage with the traverse engaging grooves of the plurality of unit assembled bricks respectively through lateral sliding, and wherein the vertical engaging grooves of the plurality of third linkage bricks are used to engage with the vertical engaging protrusions of the plurality of unit assembled bricks through downward sliding in order to connect the plurality of unit assembled bricks.

According to another aspect of the subject invention, the subject invention provides a linkage brick assembly, comprising a plurality of second linkage bricks, each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a traverse engaging protrusion extending laterally, and each of the other two opposite side faces of the side faces forming a vertical engaging protrusion extending vertically; a plurality of third linkage bricks, each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a vertical engaging groove extending vertically; wherein a top face and an outer side face of each of the vertical engaging protrusions of the second linkage bricks defines a wedged corner, and each of the vertical engaging grooves of the third linkage bricks correspondingly forms a wedged grooved; portion; a plurality of unit linkage bricks, each comprising a top face, a bottom face and four side faces between the top face and the bottom face, each of the side faces forming a traverse engaging groove, a vertical engaging protrusion and a traverse engaging groove sequentially; wherein the traverse engaging protrusions of the plurality of second linkage bricks are used to engage with the traverse engaging grooves of the plurality of unit linkage bricks through lateral sliding respectively; and wherein the vertical engaging grooves of the plurality of third linkage bricks are used to engage with the vertical engaging protrusions of the plurality of unit linkage bricks through downward sliding in order to connect the plurality of unit linkage bricks.

To enable the persons familiar with the techniques of the field to better understand the specifics of the subject invention and carry out the claimed invention, detailed description for the embodiments is provided along with the drawings. The description only serves to describe the preferable embodiments of the subject invention and does not impose any restrictions thereon. Any modifications or variations made in the same spirit of the subject invention shall lie within the scope of protection of the subject invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1. illustrates a linkage brick assembly3in accordance with a first embodiment of the subject invention.

The linkage brick assembly3of the subject invention comprises at least one first linkage brick31, a least one second linkage brick32and at least one third linkage brick33.

As shown inFIGS. 2, 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, the first linkage brick31comprises a top face311, a bottom face312and four side faces313,314,315,316between the top face311and the bottom face312. Each of the side faces forms a traverse engaging groove3131,3141,3151,3161extending laterally, and the traverse engaging grooves3131,3141,3151,3161substantially extend horizontally and laterally.

As shown inFIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, the second linkage brick32comprises a top face321, a bottom face322and four side faces323,324,325,326between the top face321and the bottom face322. Each of two opposite side faces323,325of the side faces forms a traverse engaging protrusion3231,3251extending laterally and each of the other two opposite side faces324,326of the side faces forms a vertical engaging protrusion3241,3261extending vertically. The traverse engaging protrusions3231,3251substantially extend horizontally and laterally and the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261substantially extend in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding side faces324,326.

As shown inFIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, the third linkage brick33comprises a top face331, a bottom face332and four side faces333,334,335,336between the top face331and the bottom face332. Each of the side faces forms a vertical engaging groove3331,3341,3351,3361extending vertically, and the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361preferably extend inwardly in a direction perpendicular to the corresponding side faces.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 4, 4A and 4C, each of the at least two opposite side faces333,335of the third linkage brick33additionally comprises at least a recess3332,3352defined by the top face333and the side faces333,335of the third linkage brick33. The recess3332,3352is preferably of an elongated form and configured to be suitable for an insertion of a tool for lifting the third linkage brick33.

In the above embodiment, each of the traverse engaging grooves3131,3141,3151,3161of the first linkage brick31engages with each of the traverse engaging protrusions3231,3251of the second linkage brick32through lateral sliding. Each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361engages with each of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage brick32through sliding downward from the top.

Further, as shown inFIG. 3B, a top face32411,32611(closest to the top face321of the second linkage brick32) of each of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage brick32is slanted and, together with an outer side face32412,32612of each of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261, define a wedged corner32E. Each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33correspondingly forms a wedged grooved portion33E. The wedged corner32E of each of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage brick32is used to engage with the wedged grooved portion33E of each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33. Preferably, each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361engages with each of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261downward from the top in a vertical direction.

In the above-mentioned embodiment of the subject invention, the mutual locking among each of the linkage bricks is achieved by means of the engaging structures (traverse engaging protrusion, traverse engaging groove, vertical engaging protrusion and vertical engaging groove) of the first linkage brick31, the second linkage brick32and the third linkage brick33. In particular, by means of the mutual locking of the engaging structures in the vertical direction and the lateral direction (horizontal direction), the assembly of the linkage brick assembly is easier and faster. Users therefore may choose the amount of the first linkage brick31, the second linkage brick32and the third linkage brick33according to their demand and assemble them to obtain the desired structure of the linkage brick assembly3.

The engaging structure of the conventional linkage brick disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,144 is a vertical engagement, and the female portion of the engaging structure goes through the linkage brick to the top face thereof. Consequently, when vehicles or pedestrians are passing the conventional linkage bricks, each of the linkage bricks of the conventional linkage brick assembly will generate relative vertical displacements, which makes the linkage bricks uneven and even further causes the linkage bricks to separate from one another.

In a preferable embodiment of the subject invention, the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33do not extend to the top face331of the third linkage brick33(as shown inFIGS. 4, 4B and 4C). The vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage brick32do not extend to the top face321of the second linkage brick32(as shown inFIGS. 3 and 3B). Due to this feature, when vehicles or pedestrians are passing the linkage brick assembly3of the subject invention, the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361and the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the linkage brick assembly3, which do not extend to the top face, have an effect of preventing each of the linkage bricks from relative up-and-down displacement and separating from one another.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3B, the bottom faces32413,32613of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261extend to the bottom face322of the second linkage brick32, and preferably, the bottom faces32413,32613are flush with the bottom face322of the second linkage brick32.

In other possible embodiments, the traverse engaging protrusion3231,3251of the second linkage brick32is configured to gradually enlarge outwardly from the side face323,325and protrude to form a configuration such as a truncated triangular prism or a truncated triangular pyramid.

The vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261and the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the linkage brick assembly in some of the embodiments of the subject invention are structures specially designed so as to provide an engagement with high strength and, at the same time, are the structures which avoid extending to the top faces321,331of the linkage bricks.

In the embodiments of the subject invention, the third linkage brick33serves as a so-called key stone, which is intended especially for the locking after the second linkage brick32(or the fourth linkage brick32mentioned hereinafter) slides laterally to engage with the first linkage brick31.

Due to the third linkage brick33, users may assemble four first linkage bricks31and four second linkage bricks32first and then use a third linkage brick33to engage with the second linkage bricks32through sliding the third linkage brick33from the top to the bottom to form a unit assembled brick4as shown inFIGS. 6 and 6A.

In detail, a user may engage four first linkage bricks31with four second linkage bricks32alternately so that the adjacent traverse engaging grooves3131,3141,3151,3161of the first linkage bricks31engage with the adjacent traverse engaging protrusions3231,3251of the second linkage bricks to form a hollow square ring arranged in a 3×3 array. The inner sides of the square ring have four vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage bricks32. Then, through downward sliding, the user places a third linkage brick33in the center of the hollow square ring and respectively engages each of the four vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33with each of the four vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage bricks32, which face the inner sides of the square ring, and engages the wedged corners32E of each of the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage bricks32with the wedged grooved portions33E of each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33so as to form a unit assembled brick4.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 6A, the unit assembled brick4respectively defines a top face41, a bottom face42and four side faces43,44,45,46between the top face41and the bottom face42. Each of the side faces forms a traverse engaging groove3131,3141,3151,3161, a vertical engaging protrusion3241,3261,3261,3241and a traverse engaging groove3131,3141,3151,3161sequentially.

Referring to the unit assembled brick4of the subject invention shown inFIGS. 6 and 6A, the unit assembled brick is defined as a fundamental unit of the linkage brick assembly3formed by the assembly of the linkage bricks31,32,33. Taking the weight of linkage bricks per unit area into consideration, since the more sides the shape of a linkage brick has (e.g., pentagon, hexagon or shapes with more sides and so on), the more linkage bricks adjacent thereto are required to be engaged therewith, it is preferable that the linkage bricks of similar sizes have fewer sides (e.g., quadrilateral) so that fewer linkage bricks to be engaged therewith are required.

As shown inFIGS. 5, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, the linkage brick assembly3of the subject invention further comprises at least one fourth linkage brick34which comprises a top face341, a bottom face342and four side faces343,344,345,346between the top face341and the lower surface342. Each of two opposite side faces343,345of the side faces forms a traverse engaging protrusion3431,3451extending substantially horizontally and another side face344of the side faces344,346forms a vertical engaging protrusion3441extending vertically.

In the embodiments of the subject invention, each of the traverse engaging grooves3131,3141,3151,3161of the first linkage brick31is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions3431,3451of the fourth linkage brick34through lateral sliding. Each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33is used to engage with the vertical engaging protrusion3441of the fourth linkage brick34through downward sliding in the vertical direction.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 5B, a top face34411(closest to the top face341of the fourth linkage brick34) of the vertical engaging protrusion3441of the fourth linkage brick34is slanted and defines, together with an outer side face34412of the vertical engaging protrusion3441, a wedged corner34E. The wedged corner34E of the vertical engaging protrusion3441of the fourth linkage brick34is used to engage with the wedged grooved portion33E of each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361. Further, the vertical engaging protrusion3441of the fourth linkage brick34does not extend to the top face341of the fourth linkage brick34.

In this embodiment, the side face346opposite to the vertical engaging protrusion3441of the fourth linkage brick34forms a traverse engaging groove3461extending laterally. The traverse engaging groove3461of the fourth linkage brick34is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions3231,3251of the second linkage brick32through lateral sliding. The traverse engaging groove3461extends substantially horizontally.

In other possible embodiments, the vertical engaging protrusion3431,3451of the fourth linkage brick34is configured to gradually enlarge outwardly from the corresponding side face343,345and protrude to form a configuration such as a truncated triangular prism or a truncated triangular pyramid.

In other possible embodiments, it is also possible for the side face346opposite to the vertical engaging protrusion3441of the fourth linkage brick34to not comprise the traverse engaging groove3461or any groove of other configurations.

As shown inFIG. 1, when a large area of the structure of the linkage brick assembly3of the subject invention is desired, the process mentioned above may be repeated to form a plurality of the unit assembled bricks4. The plurality of the unit assembled bricks4are then aligned and paved on the ground and additional second linkage bricks32and additional third linkage bricks33are alternately placed between the adjacent unit assembled bricks4. Further, the traverse engaging protrusion3231,3251of the additional second linkage brick32engages with the corresponding traverse engaging groove3131,3141,3151,3161of the adjacent unit assembled brick4through lateral sliding and then the vertical engaging groove3331,3341,3351,3361of the additional third linkage brick33engages with the corresponding vertical engaging protrusion3241,3261of the adjacent unit assembled bricks4and the adjacent second linkage bricks32through downward sliding to accomplish the assembly of the desired linkage brick assembly3.

The convenience and high efficiency of the assembly of the linkage brick assembly mentioned above are mainly attributed to the downward engagement of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33with the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261of the second linkage brick32.

Due to the engaging structure of the subject invention which includes vertical downward sliding and lateral sliding, the assembly of the linkage brick assembly of the subject invention may be able to proceed at multiple points on the ground to be paved simultaneously and thus the subject invention has an effect of quick assembly.

Additionally, since the third linkage brick33is engaged in a manner of downward sliding, when an error occurs during the assembly process of the linkage brick assembly, the third linkage brick33is allowed to be lifted so that certain portion(s) of area of the linkage brick assembly can be disassembled without disassembling all portions of the linkage brick assembly which have been accomplished.

Furthermore, when the linkage brick assembly is to be disassembled, the technical features mentioned above can allow the disassembly work to be done at multiple locations simultaneously, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the disassembly.

However, as shown inFIG. 1, the outermost periphery of the linkage brick assembly3accomplished in the above way will have the vertical engaging protrusions3241of the second linkage bricks32, which causes the periphery of the linkage brick assembly3to be uneven. To avoid such phenomenon, a few fourth linkage bricks34may be substituted for the second linkage bricks32located on the outer rim of the linkage brick assembly3. Through lateral sliding, the traverse engaging grooves3131,3141,3151,3161of the adjacent first linkage bricks1engage with the traverse engaging protrusions3431,3451of the fourth linkage bricks32respectively. Through downward sliding, the vertical engaging recesses3331,3341,3351,3361of the adjacent third linkage bricks33engage with the vertical engaging protrusions3441of the fourth linkage bricks32respectively. In addition, the wedged corners34E of the vertical engaging protrusions3441of the fourth linkage bricks34engage with the wedged grooved portions33E of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the adjacent third linkage bricks33.

In the second embodiment of the subject invention, the linkage brick assembly3further comprises at least one unit linkage brick35as illustrated inFIG. 7. The unit linkage brick35comprises a top face351, a bottom face352and four side faces353,354,355,356between the top face351and the bottom face352. Each of the side faces forms a traverse engaging groove3531,3541,3551,3561, a vertical engaging protrusion3532,3542,3552,3562and a traverse engaging groove3533,3543,3553,3563sequentially. The linkage brick assembly3is preferably made integrally.

Each of the traverse engaging grooves3531,3541,3551,3561of the unit linkage brick35is used to engage with each of the traverse engaging protrusions3231,3251of the second linkage brick32through lateral sliding. In addition, each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33is used to engage with each of the vertical engaging protrusions3532,3542,3552,3562of the unit linkage brick35through downward sliding.

Similar to the second linkage brick32and the fourth linkage brick34, a top face35321,35421,35521,35621and an outer side face35322,35422,35522,35622of each of the vertical engaging protrusions3532,3542,3552,3562of the unit linkage brick35define a wedged corner35E. The wedged corner35E of each of the vertical engaging protrusions3532,3542,3552,3562of the unit linkage brick35is used to engage with the wedged grooved portion33E of each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33. Preferably, each of the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361mentioned above downwardly engages with each of the vertical engaging protrusions3532,3542,3552,3562in the vertical direction. In addition, each of the vertical engaging protrusions3532,3542,3552,3562of the unit linkage brick35does not extend to the top face351of the unit linkage brick35.

When it is desired to use a few unit linkage bricks35to obtain a linkage brick assembly3′ of the subject invention which has a large area, in the same way, a plurality of unit linkage bricks35may be paved on the ground in a substantially aligned manner, and the second linkage bricks32and the third linkage bricks33are alternately placed between the adjacent unit linkage bricks35. Then the traverse engaging protrusion3231,3251of the second linkage brick32engages with the corresponding traverse engaging groove3531,3541,3551,3561,3533,3543,3553,3563of the adjacent unit linkage brick35through lateral sliding, and the vertical engaging groove3331,3341,3351,3361of the unit linkage brick35engages with the corresponding vertical engaging protrusion3532,3542,3552,3562of the adjacent unit linkage bricks35and the corresponding vertical engaging protrusion3241,3261of the adjacent second linkage bricks32through downward sliding to accomplish the assembly of the desired linkage brick assembly3′.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 5, in the preferable embodiments of the subject invention, the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261,3441,3532,3542,3552,3562of the linkage bricks32,34,35are a plurality of dovetail protrusions G extending vertically. Referring toFIG. 4, the vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361of the third linkage brick33are a plurality of dovetail grooves G′ extending vertically.

In other possible embodiments, the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261,3441,3535,3542,3552,3562may also be configured to gradually enlarge outwardly from the corresponding side face so as to form a configuration of, for example, a truncated triangular prism or a truncated triangular pyramid. The vertical engaging grooves3331,3341,3351,3361may also be configured to gradually contract inwardly from the corresponding side face so as to be suitable to engage with the vertical engaging protrusions3241,3261,3441,3532,3542,3552,3562.

Referring toFIGS. 2C, 3D, 4D and 5D, in a preferable embodiment, the bottom face312,322,332,342,352of each of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35forms a plurality of support ribs H extending downwardly. Referring to the diagonal cross-sectional viewFIG. 2Dof the linkage brick32of the subject invention, the support rib H of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35in a preferable embodiment is arched.

It is noteworthy that since the support rib H in the preferable embodiment of the subject invention is arched, it can provide the linkage bricks with better support and increase the strength of the linkage bricks.

Further referring toFIGS. 15-18, in more preferable embodiments, the plurality of support ribs H′ of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34extend downwardly to the bottom faces312,322,332,342so that they are flush with the bottom faces312,322,332,342. The structure of said support rib H′ can enhance the rigidity of the linkage bricks as well as allow the force applied on the linkage bricks31,32,33,34to be evenly distributed to the ground and therefore provides the linkage bricks with better capability for support and stability.

In other possible embodiments, the plurality of support ribs H extends from each corner of the bottom faces312,322,332,342,352of the linkage bricks to the center thereof, and may also extend continuously from a corner to the opposite corner of the bottom faces312,322,332,342,352.

Referring toFIG. 2A, in a preferable embodiment, the top face311,321,331,341,351of each of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35respectively forms a plurality of drainage slopes I slanting from the center of the top face311,321,331,341,351downwardly and outwardly (in the direction indicated by the arrow shown inFIG. 2A). As shown inFIG. 8, the drainage slopes I have a drainage gradient and when it rains, the drainage slopes I can urge the rain to quickly flow to the rims of the top face of the linkage brick31,32,33,34,35and achieve the effect of facilitating drainage.

In a preferable embodiment of the subject invention, the drainage slope I may be each of the four triangles defined by the diagonals of the top face of the linkage bricks. Each of the triangles is configured to form an apex at the center of the top face of the linkage brick and tilts downward and outward in the direction indicated by the arrow inFIG. 2A.

In the drawings, the diagonals on the top face311,321,331,341,351of each linkage brick show the arris of the intersection of each drainage slope I, which is intended to illustrate a form of the drainage slope I in a preferable embodiment of the subject invention but should not be a limit to the structure of the linkage brick of the subject invention. That is, the top face of the linkage brick of the subject invention may also be the drainage slopes of other forms that can fulfill the purpose of enhancing water drainage.

Referring toFIGS. 2-7, in a preferable embodiment, each of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35respectively forms a plurality of drainage holes J penetrating through the linkage bricks from the top face to the bottom face thereof. The drainage holes J may have different shapes, for example, circle, rectangle, triangle, polygon. In other possible embodiments, the area through which the drainage holes J penetrate on the outer surface of the top face of the linkage bricks is preferably smaller (also likely to be larger) than the area through which the drainage holes J penetrate on the inner surface of that top face.

Still referring toFIGS. 2-7, the top face311,321,331,341,351of each of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35forms a plurality of slip-resistant patterns K.

FIG. 8illustrates a side view of a portion of a linkage brick having slip-resistant patterns K, wherein the slip-resistant patterns K have at least a height on the top face of the linkage brick as shown by broken lines. However, in other possible embodiments, the slip-resistant patterns K may also be patterns with a depth extending downwardly from the top face.

FIG. 8Aillustrates an enlarged view of the slip-resistant patterns K. However, in other possible embodiments, the slip-resistant patterns K may also have other forms or different arrangements.

Referring toFIGS. 2-6 and 14, each of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35forms at least one through groove L connecting through at least two of the side faces. The through groove L is provided for at least one conduit to pass through.

In the preferable embodiments of the subject invention, the cross-section of the through groove L may be any shape suitable for a conduit to pass through (e.g., an arched shape).

It is noteworthy that, in a preferable embodiment, the through groove L does not extend to the traverse engaging grooves and the traverse engaging protrusions of the linkage bricks on side faces of the linkage bricks. In addition, the through groove L penetrates through the vertical engaging protrusion but does not go beyond any portion of the vertical engaging portion. Further, the though groove L preferably extends to the bottom face of the linkage bricks.

Referring toFIGS. 2C, 3D, 4D and 5D, the arrangement of the above structures of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34can make the area of the bottom face of each of the linkage bricks31,32,33,34which contacts the ground larger so as to increase the strength and stability of the linkage brick assembly.

FIGS. 9-14illustrate the embodiment in which the planting holes M are disposed on the linkage bricks31,32,33,34and the unit assembled brick4. Each of the linkage bricks31′,32′,33′,34′ and the unit assembled brick4′ forms a plurality of planting holes M that hollow out the top face thereof. As shown inFIGS. 9-14, the linkage bricks31′,32′,33′,34′ and the unit assembled brick4′, which include planting holes M, have substantially the same structure as the linkage bricks and the unit assembled brick previously mentioned. Similarly, the unit linkage brick35may also have planting holes M, though they are not shown in the drawings.

In a preferable embodiment of the subject invention, every linkage brick has four planting holes M, each being located on each of the four triangular areas defined by the diagonals of the top face. In addition, the support ribs H extend along the diagonals.

In a preferable embodiment of the subject invention, the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35are square. In addition, each of the linkage bricks is of the same size so that they can suitably match one another during the assembly process of the linkage brick assembly.

Furthermore, in a preferable embodiment of the subject invention, the linkage bricks31,32,33,34,35are preferably made of plastic, especially recycled plastic (for example: plastic bags, plastic containers) and thus have the advantage of being eco-friendly.

The embodiments set forth above may be liable to minor modifications based on the spirit of the subject invention. However, the subject invention with minor modifications based on the spirit of the subject invention should be deemed to lie within the scope of protection. Further, the above descriptions are intended only for elaboration but not to limit the subject invention.