Patent GB-621027-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in building construction
IPC: E04B2/02
Filed: 1945-06-15
Abstract: 621,027. Building blocks; walls. ROUZAUD, P. J. June 15, 1945, Nos. 15232 and 15233. Convention dates, Dec. 8, 1943, and April 5, 1944. [Classes 20(iv) and 87(i)] Buildings are constructed from a series of standard and special blocks which are moulded to precise dimensions in multiples of a minimum. All the blocks have keying recesses and/or projections for interlocking adjacent blocks, and special blocks are inserted at particular points in walls or partitions, e.g. at each storey level, and have means for securing horizontal and vertical ties which extend across a number of blocks within cavities therein to take horizontal and vertical stresses. The ties may be metal girders. The blocks are of generally rectangular form, hollow, and with a central partition. As shown in Fig. 1, the top of the end walls 2 and the bottom of the partition 3 of a standard block have notches 4. The blocks are laid "dry" in half bond and are interlocked by a flat key 66, Fig. 3, engaged in the registering notches; or a key of the form shown at 80, Fig. 27, may be used. In modifications, Figs. 4 and 5, not shown, the transverse walls are provided on their faces with vertical ribs and grooves or on their top and bottom with interlocking projections and notches. In another modification, Fig. 25, the partitions 3 have elongated grooves 67 and the end walls have corresponding grooves 69, 69<SP>1</SP> and vertical grooves 68, 68<SP>1</SP>. After these blocks have been laid, cement is poured down the vertical grooves to form a key in the grooves 67, 69, 69<SP>1</SP>. Special blocks, Fig. 12, have embedded metal reinforcements 11 with bosses 12 having screw-threaded holes 13. These blocks may be inter-connected by metal tie members inserted into apertures 22 in the end walls and secured to the bosses by screws. The reinforcement may be arranged near the upper or the lower end of the block and may extend through all the longitudinal and transverse walls of the block. The block shown in Fig. 12 is designed to support a floor beam, for which purpose it has a deep recess 21 in one side wall, and a closed base. Special blocks to be tied together vertically by ties in the form of a chain are reinforced and have bosses opening to one or more of the voids within the block. Metal bars 29 are secured to each other and to the blocks by bolts 28 engaging the bosses, Fig. 15. Two series of the bars may be secured to blocks forming corners of a structure. Both horizontal and vertical tying are obtained by providing the reinforcement, Fig. 17, with internal bosses 38 for the vertical tie bars and externally-accessible bosses 37 for short horizontal ties between the blocks. A continuous horizontal tie is obtained by means of a U-shaped bar inserted in the aligned notches 4 of a course of blocks. Continuous vertical ties are formed within the voids of the blocks by U-shaped bars 81, 81<SP>1</SP> bolted together by bolts 82 passed through notches 4, Fig. 27, and horizontal and vertical bars may be connected together at corners by angle plates. The outer faces of the blocks may be provided with edge grooves to receive a water proofing fillet of mortar. Blocks for partitions are made narrow and interconnected by metal bars arranged within the voids. A block for the meeting points of walls and partitions is made T-shaped. Woodwork, e.g. door frames, is secured by bolts to reinforcement bosses suitably arranged in the blocks. Blocks may be faced or covered with parquet, tiling &c. for flooring and other purposes and may be apertured for the passage of piping &c. Each block may have such apertures of various sizes and adapted, by plugs or sleeves, for piping of standard size.