US20180266105A1

US20180266105A1 - Self-locking block

Info

Publication number: US20180266105A1
Application number: US15/891,448
Authority: US
Inventors: Alberto Augusto RODRIGUEZ CARASSUS
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-20
Filing date: 2018-02-08
Publication date: 2018-09-20

Abstract

An improved prefabricated self-locking block and its complementary parts, which includes a solid structure filled with mortar and steel fibers, so that the structures obtained from the blocks and their complementary parts have a high load capacity, being able to overcome the obtained constructions of 2 floors height.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved prefabricated self-locking block to be used in the construction of pillars, self-supporting walls and buildings, without requiring the use of additional structural supports, whether internal or external, adhesives, mortar mixtures, or support beams.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved prefabricated self-locking block and its complementary parts, which includes a solid structure filled with mortar and steel fibers, so that the structures obtained from the blocks and their complementary parts have a high load capacity, being able to overcome the obtained construction of 2 floors height.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The construction industry is a sector in continuous innovation, where the search for new elements presents a marked tendency towards the use of pre-prepared components, in order to save costs in the building process and to offer practical and simple solutions to incorporate their own construction work, not involving a large number of components, and further does not require high operator skill. However, these prefabricated solutions that involve cost savings must be compatible with a high quality product, which results in construction with high structural strength, stability and firmness.
In this sense, the solutions known in the state of the art prior to the present invention that do not require the use of additional elements such as the mortar mixture, do not offer the firmness, stability and structural resistance required by the building. In order to overcome this problem, the applicant of the present invention has carried out the development of a prefabricated block and its complementary parts disclosed in the US patent application US20160002917, where the invention relates to an internally hollow prefabricated block made of Portland mortar cement reinforced with steel fibers, formed on a rectangular base and from the upper surface protrude two equidistant towers, which are hollow inside, as well.
Additionally, these blocks have an interior cavity in their base destined to receive the towers of the preceding block, being the height of the towers slightly lower than the height of the lower cavities. This configuration of the block in each male female termination allows its insertion to raise the desired pillar or wall.
However, by using the prefabricated block described in the aforementioned document, it is not possible to produce buildings that exceed 2 floors height, considering a safety factor of 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention that is advocated fully solves the aforementioned problems, by providing a constructive solution that overcomes the structural problems arising from the use of the invention described in document US20160002917, without requiring the use of foreign techniques to the disclosed construction system by the applicant in the aforementioned documents.
The improved prefabricated locking block object of the present invention, from which the corresponding complementary parts are derived, is a solid block obtained preferably of Portland cement and steel fibers in the appropriate proportions, so that each of the blocks is capable of supporting more than 16 tons of pure compression.
The block is preferably formed by a solid base, preferably composed of a parallelepiped, from which at least one solid tower emerges from the upper surface of the base as a male connecting element.
In this way, the base of the block presents, at least, a complementary cavity to each one of the towers disposed inside the base and whose interior height of the cavity is equal to the external height defined by the solid tower. Therefore, the aforementioned cavity works as a female element of union.
Thus, the block of the invention generates, based on the tower and the present cavity, a male/female system that enables the interconnection of the blocks with each other.
The tower or towers emerging from the upper surface of the block have a straight prismatic shape of preferably a square base. As described, the tower of the block has as its main function the constitution of the male element of the mechanical system of male/female union between blocks, resulting therefore dispensable the use of a mixture of mortar, providing the wall or pillar with stability and the structural resistance required by the building. Also, this interlocking system eliminates the need for additional structural elements, such as supports or metal beams.
Advantageously, the fact that the height of the tower or towers protruding from the upper surface of the block is equal to the height of the cavity or interior cavities present in the base of the block, makes them fit completely, that is, without giving place to any gap between two embedded blocks. Consequently, the effective area that works as a pillar is considerably increased compared to that obtained using the blocks disclosed in document US20160002917, since the effective area that works as a pillar is the one that vertically links solid volumes, that is, without gaps.
Thus, the pillars obtained by combining the blocks object of the present invention have a high load capacity, with carrying capacity that allows building at heights greater than 2 floors.
In this way, the union between blocks causes them to be fixed by means of compression forces, essentially supported by the mortar, and by the flexing and the cutting, essentially supported by the steel fibers that make up the matrix of the mortar.
Additionally, the steel fiber content gives the block a high impact resistance.
It should be mentioned that the improved prefabricated self-locking blocks object of the present invention, results of application in combination with others already disclosed, in which the known blocks are crossed by a continuous cavity from its base including the inside of the towers, differing slightly the external height defined by the tower with respect to the height of the lower interior cavity.
As is logical, the combination of the disclosed blocks in the present invention and those already known will be possible as long as the blocks to be combined have the same dimensions in their base and in the height of the tower.
Thus, it is perfectly possible to combine and interlock them interchangeably, taking into account that when the upper block is solid and the lower block is hollow, they are integrated one inside the other completely, since the height of the inner cavity of the solid block is equal to the outer height of the tower of the hollow block.
In the case that the upper block is hollow and the lower block is solid or hollow, it will not be possible for the inner surface of the upper block to rest completely on the lower block, since the height of the inner cavity of the hollow upper block is greater than the outer height of the tower of the lower block.
As a complementary piece to the improved locking block that is recommended, optionally, the construction of a complementary plain beam is contemplated, which fulfills the function of a conventional beam, and which is provided with a conventional reinforcement and respective hollows at its ends to receive the upper tower block. The introduction of these beams in the prefabricated block construction system allows receiving the slab loads in areas where the project does not include walls. They rest on solitary pillars or pillars linked to walls.
Thus, by linking the locking blocks which are the object of the present invention with the plain beams, a type of pillar is obtained. Similarly, by connecting the solid and hollow blocks with the plain beams, being the solid blocks above the holes, another type of pillar is obtained. Both types of pillars serve the same purpose, which is to enable the construction of buildings of more than 2 stories height without having to resort to constructive techniques that are outside the system of blocks which is claimed in combination with those previously disclosed by the solicitor.
In short, it is an improved prefabricated block, which provides a structural strength superior to that of conventional construction systems for obtaining pillars and walls, which allows the construction of buildings with a height greater than 2 floors, enabling a high-speed assembly through a very simple assembly process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that will be made below and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of the description where, with illustrative and non-limiting character, the following has been represented:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an improved self-locking block object of the present invention containing two towers;

FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of the improved lock block shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the improved lock block shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows the perspective view of a locking block, which has only one upper tower;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the block with a tower shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a complementary plain beam in the construction system to the self-locking blocks object of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the plain beam shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the plain beam shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a building pillar obtained by combining the self-locking blocks of the object of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an example of a building obtained by using the self-locking blocks object of the present invention.

PREFERRED REALIZATION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed where the improved locking block (1, 1′) of the present invention is configured in a base (2) in the shape of a parallelepiped from whose upper surface emerges one or two massive quadrangular towers (3, 3′), which constitute the male elements of the male/female union system between the blocks.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the block (1) is constituted by a base (2) preferably rectangular from which emerge two rectangular prismatic towers (3), preferably being quadrangular solid and being arranged symmetrically.
The block (1) has two interior cavities (4) accessible from the lower surface of the base (2) of the block, arranged symmetrically likewise, which constitute the female elements for connection with the adjacent lower block. The interior height defined by the cavities (4) and the external height defined by the towers (3) emerging from the block is the same so that, when one block fits over another, they are completely coupled, resting the inner surface of the upper block on the outer surface of the tower of the lower block.
In this way, the coupling between the blocks of the invention results in a high structural strength of the pillar or wall thus obtained, since, as described above, the blocks are solid, and are obtained in Portland cement and steel fibers.
Thus, by combining the blocks represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, square cut solid pillars with self-carrying capacity are obtained, which is obtained with alternate and successive layers of two blocks coupled to two lower blocks that are oriented in an axis perpendicular to the orientation of the blocks located in the upper layer. An example of the construction obtained by using these blocks (1) is represented in FIG. 9 as a pillar.
Analogously, to the previous embodiment, the invention is also made according to FIGS. 4 and 5 where the block (1′) of the invention is shown having a single rectangular (3′) prismatic tower, preferably quadrangular solid, which emerges from the upper surface of the rectangular base (2′) and where the base (2′) comprises an interior cavity (4′) which is accessed by the lower surface of the block (1′). In FIG. 5 the interior cavity (4′) shown with dashed line is observed.
In a manner analogous to the block (1), the tower (3′) has the same height as the cavity (4′). The blocks (1′) are connected with the blocks described (1) to complement the lateral termination of the wall in those places where it is necessary, such as in spaces intended for doors and windows or in the union between walls.
The block (1′) is the necessary complementary element for the block of two towers (1) at the time of implementing “solitary” pillars, that is to say where they were necessary depending on the architectural project working disconnected from the supporting walls of the system basic.
In this preferred embodiment, the inclusion of a series of complementary parts to the blocks described above (1, 1′) is also contemplated in order to complete the construction system.
One of these parts can be seen in FIG. 3, it is the beam (5) that has a rectangular base and internally comprises a conventional reinforcement (6) in this type of construction element. The beam (5) also has two cavities (7) on its lower base that are complementary to the cavities (4, 4′) of the block (1, 1′). Its introduction allows to receive the load of the slabs in areas where the project does not include walls. These beams (5) are supported by solitary pillars or pillars linked to walls.
Finally, FIG. 10 represents an example of part of a building obtained with the blocks of the object of the present invention and its complementary parts, in combination with the hollow analogue parts disclosed in previous applications. In said FIG. 10 there is observed a plurality of blocks of the present invention (1, 1′) assembled with blocks (8) known previously which are crossed by a continuous hollow from its base including the interior of the towers.

Claims

1. An improved prefabricated self-locking block for erecting buildings comprising:

a solid base (2, 2′) having an upper surface from which emerge, at least one solid tower (3, 3′) in the manner of a male connecting element and wherein the base (2, 2′) has at least one internal cavity (4, 4′) having a height equal to an external height defined by the solid tower.

2. The improved prefabricated self-locking block according to claim 1, wherein the solid base is made of Portland cement and steel fibers.

3. The improved prefabricated self-locking block according to claim 1, wherein the base (2, 2′) is composed of a solid parallelepiped.

4. The improved prefabricated self-locking block according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the base emerge two prismatic solid towers (3) having a rectangular shape, symmetrically distributed, and wherein the base (2) comprises two interiors cavities (4) accessible from a lower surface of the block (1).

5. The improved prefabricated self-locking block according to claim 1, wherein from the upper surface of the base (2′) of the block emerges a prismatic tower (3′) having a rectangular shape, and where the base (2′) comprises a cavity (4′) accessible from a lower surface of the block (1′).