US2151468A - Building block - Google Patents

Description

March 21, 1939. HENDERSON 2,151,468

BUILDING BLOCK F iled Oct. 21, 1936 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 9 v i: I' Y w I X Q 11 is:

INVENTOR Alb ert H617 dehs a 4;, wan- 4 March 2 1, 1939. A HENDERSON BUILDING BLOCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct 21, 1956 INVENTOR Amara Henderson March 21, 1939.

mu m wwfifi E G.- mmmG a W Ew H d Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE BUILDING BLOCK Application October 21, 1936, Serial No. 106,796

4 Claims.

This invention relates to building blocks and. particularly to a series of a relatively small number of blocks capable of serving for all uses which require a much greater number of blocks as now '5 constructed.

Molded concrete building blocks are made in two styles: plain face and rock face. The widths of the blocks vary, but fractional sizes and special shapes, such as quarters, halves, and threequarters, are required for each width, also corner blocks, half and full size jamb blocks, column blocks and other special shapes for sills, lintels and coping. Each width of block thus requires about ten fractional and special sizes and shapes in addition to the standard block. Thus a complete line of plain and rock face blocks in two widths, the most popular being 8" and 12", requires the stocking of some thirty-eight different shapes and sizes. This large number of different styles of block required under the present practice is a serious obstacle to the wide use of concrete block in buildings.

I have invented a series of blocks by which I can reduce the number of sizes and shapes required for both plain and ornamental blocks, to a maximum of four blocks, including both the widths above mentioned. According to the invention, I provide a standard block having one side face plain and one ornamental, one end ornamental and the other end provided with a sash slot. I also employ an extra width block similar in otherrespects to the standard block. In addition, I employ fractional blocks, such as quarter and eighth sizes, and by various combinations thereof, I can provide all the other fractions necessary, and construct the various parts of a block structure which heretofore required special shapes. The quarter and eighth blocks have three adjacent faces ornamental, and the other three adjacent faces plain.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, together with various combinations of the different blocks of the series, and reference will be made to these drawings for a detailed description. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied in forms other than shown therein. In the drawings,

, Figure l is a perspective view of the standard Figure'Za (Sheet 3) is a transverse sectional view through the extra width block, taken alon the line II-II of Figure 2;

Figs. 5 through 8 are plan views of courses showing various combinations of the blocks of the series, with parts in section;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a wall having various blocks of the series embodied therein;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 9;

Figs. 11 throughl l are sectional views taken through courses assembled from the extra width block and fractional blocks;

Fig. 15 is an elevation of the wall shown in section in Fig. 14;

Figs. 16 and 17 are views similar to Figs. 11 through 14, showing other combinations of standard and fractional blocks;

Figs. 18 through 20 are perspective views show ing the use of blocks in the series to form structures, such as columns, chimneys or the like; and

Figs. 21 and '22 are perspective views of a wall corner showing the variety of uses to which the various blocks of the series may be put, the ornamental faces of the blocks being exposed to view in the construction shown in Fig. 21 and the plain faces in Fig. 22.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the standard block of my series is shown at 10. Its width and height are substantially equal, while its length is substantially twice the width and height. The block has voids H. One side face I2 is ornamental having a recessed panel formed therein. The same is true of one end [3. The other side face is plain, while the other end face has a sash slot [4. The top and bottom faces of the block are plain, but are not continuous, because of the voids II and the slot 14.

A convenient size for the block It! is what is considered in the trade as 8 x 8" x 16" block. Actually, these dimensions are 7% x7 4" xl5%, to allow for the mortar joint between adjacent blocks. The 2:1 relation between the width or height and length of block is thus not strictly followed in practice but describes the relations of the dimensions with substantial accuracy.

An extra width block I5 is shown in Figs. 2 and 2a. This block is similar to block [0, but has a width 50% greater than the latter. It has ornamental and plain faces, an ornamental end, and the slotted end, similar to those of the block 10. The voids iii are wider than the voids II but the upper ends of both are drawn inwardly slightly as shown at I! in Fig. 2a. The voids 15 are bridged by hand grips Hi to facilitate lift ing the blocks. A reinforcing bar 19 is embedded in for a steel sash 26.

' shown, in the usual manner.

in the hand grips, and has its ends bent downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2a, so as to be embedded in the end walls of the block. The slot M of the block I5 is spaced from the ornamental face I2 thereof by the same distance as the slot I 4 is spaced from the face I2. A convenient size for the block I5 is 8" x 12" x 16", so called, actually 7% x 11%" x 15%".

Figure 3 shows a quarter block 20 having a length equal to the width of the block II], a height equal to the height of the block I and a width equal to one-fourth the length of the block I0. Three adjacent faces of the block 20 are ornamental having recessed panels 2l therein, while the remaining faces are plain.

Fig. 4 shows an eighth block 22 having a height and width one-half the height and Width of the block I0, and a length equal to the width of the block It. This block has three adjacent ornamental faces provided with recessed panels, and three plain faces.

Fig. 5 illustrates a course of standard blocks It in which a quarter block 20 is included, being disposed with its length transversely of the wall and its height vertical so as to occupy one-fourth the space of one of the blocks I0.

Fig. 6 shows two quarter blocks 2|] disposed side by side in a course of blocks I 0, to occupy a space half the size of that filled by the blocks Iii. One of the blocks I0 is shown in section in Fig. 6, further to illustrate the details of its construction, particularly the drawing in of the voids II adjacent one end.

Fig. '7 shows two blocks 20 disposed longitudinally side by side in a course of blocks. l0, and a third block 20 disposed transversely to fill a space three-fourths the size of that occupied by one of the standard blocks.

Figs. 8 through 10 show the use of quarter blocks as jamb, sill and lintel blocks in a wall composed of standard blocks III. The wall, indicated generally at 25, hasan opening there- The opening is defined by blocks 20 laid in pairs as shown in Fig. 10 to constitute a sill 26', jambs 21 and a lintel 28. The edge of the steel sash 26 extends between the pairs of quarter blocks forming the sill, jambs and lintel, as plainly shown in Figs. 8 through 10. The lintel blocks are carried on steel angle-s, not Fig. 10 further shows the character of the voids II in the blocks ID.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the block 20 serves not only as a quarter block and as a half block when used in pairs, and as a three-quarter block where three are combined as shown, but also as a special block for sills, jambs and lintels.

In addition to the quarter and eighth blocks, I

may also employ a similar fractional block having the dimensions 3%" x 7%" x11%" and a fractional block having a uniform thickness of approximately 2". These fractions may be solid or of channel shape, and have plain or ornamental faces.

Fig. 11 shows a course of extra width blocks I5. When it is necessary to fill a space one fourth the size of the block in such a course, it is only necessary to break in half one of the blocks 20, and lay the half with the ornamental end as shown at in Fig. 11, the other end being laid as shown Fig. 12 shows the use of two blocks 20 spaced apart to fill a space half the length of the blocks I5 in a course composed thereof. One of the 'pearance on adjacent sides.

quarter blocks is laid with its ornamental face in the plane of the ornamental faces of the blocks I5, and the other block with its plain face in the plane of the plain faces of the blocks l5.

Fig. 13 similarly shows the arrangement of 5 In with its ornamental face exposed, and by lay- 10 ing a block 22 in the space between the blocks I5 adjacent the corner. Fig. 14 also shows the use of quarter blocks 20 in combination with extra width blocks I5 to form sills, jambs and lintels. As shown in Fig. 15, the full length blocks 15 are disposed with their sash slots adjacent the window opening. Quarter blocks 20 laid, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, provide continuations of the sash slot in the jambs. The sill and the lintel are composed of an outer course of blockszo 20 laid with their lengthslongitudinally of the wall, and an inner course of-blocks laid with their length transversely of the wall. 'From the relative dimensions of the several blocks of the series previously stated, it will be apparent that 5 the lengthof the block 20,.plus its Width, is subi stantially equal to the Width of the blocks I5. A sash 32 similar to that shown at 26 is disposed in the continuous slot in the jambs, sill and lintel,

defining a window opening in a wall indicated generally at 33.

Fig. 16 illustrates the use of blocks 20 to form a pilaster 35 in a wall 36 composed of blocks ID. The blocks 20 are arranged in the wall 36 in the same manner as shown in Fig. 14, via, an outer 35 course with their lengths disposed longitudinally,

and an inner course with their lengths disposed transversely of the wall, thus forming a pilaster having a width greater than the Wall. As the pilaster is solid, it is capable of function as a-- column to support heavy loads.

Fig. 1'7 illustrates a wall 31 formed of blocks l0 having a back-up 38 formed of quarter blocks 20. As shown, the latter are laid with their plain faces disposed interiorly of the wall, providing a. smooth; wall surface. 7

Fig. 18 illustrates a chimney or column 40 composed of blocks 20 laid up in the manner shown.

Fig. 19 shows a column 4| composed of blocks I0 and quarter blocks 20. This combination pro-' vides a column of greater size and bearing capacity than that of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 shows a small column 42 composed of blocks 20 arranged in a manner somewhat different than that shown' in Fig. 18.

- r 1 Fig. 21 is a fragmentary showing of a Wall corner illustrating the various uses to which the different blocks of the series may be put. Blocks I0, for example, form the stretcher blocks of the wall, and since they have adjacent sides and ends ornamented, the wall corner has a finished ap- Fig. 2I also illustrates the use of quarter blocks 20 as jam'bs and lintels. Quarter blocks 20 are also employed to form a soldier course 43. The blocks 20 are also 1 used to form a stretcher course 44 above the soldier course. Finally, the blocks 20 provide a coping 45 at the top of the wall.

Fig. 22 illustrates another possible variation.

of wall construction in which the plain faces only 7 of the blocks are exposed by interspersing the standard and fractional blocks in the manner indicated, the appearance simulating-that of an ashlar wall.

Itwill be apparent from the foregoing descrip-,

tion that the invention provides a series of building blocks capable of serving in all cases where special sizes and shapes of blocks are required under the present practice, using a maximum of only four different blocks which are all similar in general, and have a specific ratio of dimensions. The cost of block wall construction is materially decreased by eliminating the excessive number of special sizes and shapes heretofore required, as Well as the necessity for maintaining complete stocks of a large number of different kinds of blocks.

While I have illustrated but one preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that other forms may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A wall construction [including stretcher blocks'laid up in courses and a load bearing pilaster abutting spaced sections of said wall and extending laterally therefrom, said pilaster being formed of solid fractional units, having a height equal that of the blocks and a length substantially one-half that of said blocks and a width substantially one-quarter the length of said ratio 2:1:1, and a fractional block having its length, height and width in the ratio 1:1: in the same units whereby a pair of fractional blocks may be laid side by side as stretchers to replace half a stretcher block, and a fractional block may be laid as a header to replace a quarter of a stretcher block.

3. A block wall comprising a plurality of courses of stretcher blocks each having its length, height and width in predetermined units substantially in the ratio 2:1:1, and fractional blocks each having its length, height and width substantially in the ratio 1:1: in the same units, said fractional blocks being laid as stretchers to form lintels and sills and as headers to form a separate course adjacent a course of stretcher blocks.

4. A series of building blocks comprising a stretcher block having its length, height and width in predetermined units substantially in the ratio 211:1, a fractional block having its length, height and width in the ratio 1:1: in the same units whereby a pair of fractional blocks may be laid side by side as stretchers to replace half a stretcher block, and a fractional block may be laid as a header to replace a quarter of a stretcher block, and a second stretcher block having its length, height and width in the ratio 221.11%, in the same units.

ALBERT HENDERSON.

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