MASONRY BUILDING BLOCKS AND BUILDING SYSTEM THEREOF

Abstract

This invention involves three masonry units that can aid in materializing masonry construction of better quality. The masonry units include the CMH-4, the CVMH-8 and the SNH-4. The CMH-4 includes cells that permit interior wall cavities that can help include larger piping inside walls as well as horizontal piping for sanitary ventilation without losing the traditional way of installing CMU's or interrupting the typical and usually recommended running bond. The CVMH-8 permits the cutting of the unit in different shapes, of which one can be used as framework. The SNH-4 is a concrete unit that can be used as a planting wall, that aids in openings without windows or doors and that is compatible in dimensions with other CMU's. The three units are compatible with existing masonry units, permitting their mixed use according to design needs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Summary of the Invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a (CMH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a (CMH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The bottom view being a mirror image.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a (CMH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The other side being a mirror image.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a (CMH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The rear view being a mirror image.

FIG. 5 shows the (CMH-4) masonry building block in an exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 6 shows the (CMH-4) masonry building block in another exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a (CVMH-8) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of a (CVMH-8) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a rear view of a (CVMH-8) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of a (CVMH-8) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The bottom view being a mirror image.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a (CVMH-8) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The other side being a mirror image.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a (CVMH-8) masonry building block with an isolating panel, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of another (CVMH-8) masonry building block with an isolating panel, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of another (CVMH-8) masonry building block with an isolating panel, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of another (CVMH-8) masonry building block with an isolating panel, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of another (CVMH-8) masonry building block with an isolating panel, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of another (CVMH-8) masonry building block with an isolating panel, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 18 shows the (CVMH-8) masonry building block in an exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 19 shows the (CVMH-8) masonry building block in another exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 20 shows the (CVMH-8) masonry building block in another exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 21 shows the (CVMH-8) masonry building block in another exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 22 shows the (CVMH-8) masonry building block in another exemplary construction structure.

FIG. 23 shows left and side perspective views of a (SNH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 24 shows a side view of a (SNH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The other side being a mirror image.

FIG. 25 shows a front view of a (SNH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of a (SNH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention. The bottom view being a mirror image.

FIG. 27 shows a rear view of a (SNH-4) masonry building block, according to an embodiment the invention.

FIG. 28 shows several masonry building blocks according to the prior art.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numbers and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like elements, components, portions or features of the illustrated embodiments. The subject invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in view of the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention a masonry building block (CMH-4) will be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4. A building block consists of an upper face (10), a lower face (11) opposite to the upper face (10), a first end face (14), a second end face (15) opposite to said first end face (14), a front face (12) having a flat surface and a rear face (13) having a flat surface and being opposite to said front face (12). The upper face (10), the lower face (11) and both first and second end faces (14, 15) have concave surfaces as shown in the FIGS. The first and second end faces (14, 15) are perpendicular to said upper and lower faces (10,11) and the rear and front faces (12,13) are perpendicular to the upper and lower faces (10,11) and to the first and second end faces (14, 15).

A passthrough cavity (16) is provided between said front and rear faces (12,13) and longitudinally extends from said upper face (10) to said lower face (11). According to the invention, the passthrough cavity (16) has an oval shape or a circular shape. However, other shapes can be used as long as construction, water, electrical tubes, among others fit inside the cavity. A pair of webs (17,18) are provided between the front and rear faces (12,13), each having an inner concave wall (17a,18a) and an outer concave wall (17a,18a). As can be appreciated, the passthrough cavity (16) is defined by the inner concave walls (17a,18a) of the pair of webs (17,18), The first end face (14) is defined by the outer concave wall (17a) of the web (17) and the second end face (15) is defined by the outer concave wall (18a) of the web (18).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the masonry building block (CMH-4) as will be used during construction according to an embodiment of the invention. As can be appreciated, pipes and tubes normally used during construction are fit inside the concave areas of the block.

A multi-used modular masonry building block (CVMH-8) will be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 7-17. One of the important features of the (CVMH-8) block is that is incorporates cutting slits on its surfaces so that the block can be selectively cut in order to obtain different block configurations used for different construction purposes.

The (CVMH-8) block has an upper face (30), a lower face (40) opposite to the upper face, a front face (20) defined by an upper edge, a lower edge opposite to upper edge, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to said first side edge.

The front face (20) has at least one cutting slit on an external surface of said front face (20). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front face (20) has a cavity (25) provided in the center of the front face (20), a horizontal cutting slit (21) provided in the middle between the upper edge and the lower edge of the front face (20). The horizontal cutting slit (21) extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction from the first side edge of the front face (20) to a side of the cavity (25) and continues from another side of said cavity (25) to the second side edge of the front face (20). The cavity (25) can be a passthrough cavity or a cavity with a base floor.

A first vertical cutting slit (23) is provided in the middle between the first side edge and the second side edge of the front face (20). The first vertical cutting slit (23) extends longitudinally in a vertical direction from said upper edge of the front face (20) to an upper side of said cavity (25) and continues from a lower side of said cavity (25) to the lower edge of the front face (20). A second vertical cutting slit (24) is provided near said first side edge. The second vertical cutting slit (24) extends longitudinally in a vertical direction from said upper edge to said lower edge of the front face (20) so that said second vertical cutting slit (24) intersects with the horizontal cutting slit (21). A third vertical cutting slit (22) is provided near the second side edge. The third vertical cutting slit (22) extends longitudinally in a vertical direction from the upper edge to the lower edge of the front face (20) so that the third vertical cutting slit (22) intersects with the horizontal cutting slit (21). Alternatively, the cavity (25) can be omitted from the front face (20) providing only the horizontal cutting slit (21), the first, second and third vertical cutting slits (22,23,24). According to another embodiment, only one cutting slit is provided on the front face (20) with or without the cavity (25).

The (CVMH-8) block also has a rear face (80) opposite to the first face (20) and defined by an upper edge, a lower edge opposite to upper edge, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to said first side edge. The rear face (80) has at least one cutting slit extending along an external surface of said rear face (80). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a horizontal cutting slit (81) is provided in the middle between the upper edge and the lower edge of said rear face (80). The horizontal cutting slit (81) extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction from said first side edge to said second side edge of the rear face (80). A vertical cutting slit (82) is provided in the middle between the first side edge and the second side edge of the rear face (80). The vertical cutting slit (82) extends longitudinally in a vertical direction from the upper edge to the lower edge of the rear face (80) so that the vertical cutting slit (82) intersects with said horizontal cutting slit (81). According to another embodiment, a cavity (25) is provided in the center of the rear face (80) so that the vertical cutting slit (82) and the horizontal cutting slit (81) intersect with the cavity (25) just as previously explained with the front face (20). According to another embodiment, only one cutting slit is provided on the rear face (80) with or without a cavity (25). The cavity (25) can be a passthrough cavity or a cavity with a base floor.

As can be appreciated, a pair of webs (90,100) is provided between the front and rear faces (20,80). A passthrough cavity (70) is defined by respective inner walls (90b,100b) of the pair of webs (90,100) and respective internal surfaces of said front and rear faces (20,80) as shown in FIG. 10.

A base of the first and second end faces (50,60) is defined by respective outer walls (90a,100a) of the pair of webs (90,100). A fitting channel (51) and a fitting channel (61) are provided on respective outer walls (90a,100a) as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. In another embodiment, only one of the first and second end faces (50,60) is provided with a fitting channel. Furthermore, each of the inner walls (90b,100b) of the pair of webs (90,100) has a base with a fitting channel longitudinally extending from the upper face (30) to the lower face (40).

As shown in FIG. 12, at least one construction panel (110) can be removably positioned inside the block within the fitting channels of at least one of the first and second end faces (50,60) and the passthrough cavity (70). The construction panel can be any panel used for construction such as but not limited to: isolation panels, sound-proof panels, fire-proof/retardant panels and/or insulation panels.

FIG. 13 shows another block configuration of the (CVMH-8) block where the second and third vertical cutting slits (22,24) of the front face (20) have been cut removing the side edges of the front face (20) and leaving only the cavity (25), the horizontal cutting slit (21) and the first vertical cutting slit (23).

FIG. 14 shows another block configuration of the (CVMH-8) block where the first vertical cutting slit (23) of the front face (20) and the vertical cutting slit (82) of the rear face (80) have been cut removing half of the front face (20) and the rear face (80). In this embodiment, the half portion of the passthrough cavity (70) will serve as the first end face (50) previously explained.

FIG. 15 shows another block configuration of the (CVMH-8) block where horizontal cutting slits provided on the inner and outer walls of the webs (900,100) have been cut removing half of the webs (900,100). This embodiment for example, allows pipes and tubes to be horizontally positioned inside the block.

FIG. 16 shows a similar block as the block shown in FIG. 14 but third vertical cutting slit (22) is also cut leaving only the cavity (25) and the horizontal cutting slit (21) on the front face (20).

FIG. 15 shows another block configuration of the (CVMH-8) block where the horizontal cutting slit (21) of the front face (20) and the horizontal cutting slit (81) of the rear face (80) have been cut removing the upper half of the front face (20) and the rear face (80).

As can be appreciated, the slits on the (CVMH-8) block can be selectively cut to form a variety of different block configurations that are used for different construction purposes. The embodiments explained on FIGS. 7-17 are only examples of different blocks achieved by selectively cutting the explained slits. However, it is to be understood that any number of horizontal and verticals slits can be selectively cut as well as the cavity (25) can be provided or omitted to form different blocks.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary construction scenario where the (CVMH-8) block shown in FIG. 13 is used.

FIGS. 19-22 show exemplary arrangements of the various (CVMH-8) blocks previously explained used together in construction.

FIG. 23 illustrates a masonry building block (SNH-4) according to an embodiment of the invention. The (SNH-4) block has an inner cavity defined by a floor (210), a front wall (200), a rear wall (380) opposite to the front wall (210). The block also includes a first lateral wall (900) and a second lateral wall (800) opposite to the first lateral wall (900). A plurality of rear openings (700) are provided on the rear wall (380). Alternatively, a single rear opening (700) can be provided. A frontal opening is defined by an upper face (300) and a front face of the block. As can be appreciated, this frontal opening is provided to allow complete access to said inner cavity for gardening purposes, illumination and temperature access/control of the structure being built with this block. A partition wall (600) is provided to divide the inner cavity and provide two separate inner cavities. As can be appreciated, the lateral walls as well as the partition wall include fitting channels (900b,600b,600a,800b) vertically extending on said walls to allow the selective insertion of construction panels as previously explained.

The building block (SNH-4) also includes a first end face (400) longitudinally extending from the upper face to the lower face, and a second end face (500) opposite to said first end face (400) also extending longitudinally from the upper face to the lower face of the (SNH-4) block. As can be appreciated, fitting channels (800a,900a) vertically extending on the first and second end faces (400,500) are also provided to allow the selective insertion of construction panels as previously explained.

FIG. 25 shows the front wall (200), a bottom wall (920) and the plurality of rear openings (700) that can be directly observed from a frontal view. FIG. 26 shows the partition wall (600) dividing the inner cavity in two separate inner cavities each with a floor (210). FIG. 27 shows the rear wall (380), the bottom wall (920) and the plurality of rear openings (700) that can be directly observed from a rear view. All these figures clearly illustrate that the inner cavity is connected to the rear openings (700) and accessible via the frontal opening.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all of the alternatives and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A masonry building block consisting of:

an upper face having an upper concave surface;

a lower face having a lower concave surface and being opposite to said upper face;

a first end face having a first end concave surface;

a second end face having a second end concave surface and being opposite to said first end face, wherein said first and second end faces are perpendicular to said upper and lower faces;

a front face having a flat surface;

a rear face having a flat surface and being opposite to said front face, wherein said rear and front faces are perpendicular to said upper and lower faces and to said first and second end faces; and

a passthrough cavity provided between said front and rear faces and longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face.

2. The building block of claim 1, wherein said passthrough cavity has an oval shape.

3. The building block of claim 1, wherein said passthrough cavity has a circular shape.

4. The building block of claim 1, wherein said passthrough cavity fits tubes up to 4 inches in diameter.

5. The building block of claim 1, wherein said upper and lower faces fits tubes up to 2 inches in diameter.

6. The building block of claim 1, further comprising a pair of webs provided between said front and rear faces, each having an inner concave wall and an outer concave wall.

7. The building block of claim 6, wherein said passthrough cavity is defined by the inner concave walls of said pair of webs.

8. The building block of claim 6, wherein said first and second end faces are defined by the outer concave walls of the pair of webs, respectively.

9. A masonry building block comprising:

an upper face and a lower face opposite to said upper face;

a front face defined by an upper edge, a lower edge opposite to upper edge, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to said first side edge, wherein said front face has at least one cutting slit on an external surface of said front face;

a rear face opposite to said first face and defined by an upper edge, a lower edge opposite to upper edge, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to said first side edge, wherein said rear face has at least one cutting slit extending along an external surface of said rear face,

a first end face longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face; and

a second end face longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face, wherein said second end face is opposite to said first end face.

10. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one of said front face and said rear face has:

a horizontal cutting slit provided in the middle between the upper edge and the lower edge of the face, wherein said horizontal cutting slit longitudinally extends in a horizontal direction from said first side edge to said second side edge of the face;

a first vertical cutting slit provided in the middle between the first side edge and the second side edge of the face, wherein said first vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge to the lower edge of the face;

a second vertical cutting slit provided near said first side edge, wherein said second vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge to said lower edge of the face so that said second vertical cutting slit intersects with said horizontal cutting slit; and

a third vertical cutting slit provided near said second side edge, wherein said third vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge to said lower edge of the face so that said third vertical cutting slit intersects with said horizontal cutting slit.

11. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one of said front face and said rear face has:

a cavity provided in the center of the face;

a horizontal cutting slit provided in the middle between the upper edge and the lower edge of the face, wherein said horizontal cutting slit longitudinally extends in a horizontal direction from said first side edge of the face to a side of said cavity and continuing from another side of said cavity to said second side edge of the face;

a first vertical cutting slit provided in the middle between the first side edge and the second side edge of the face, wherein said first vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge of the face to an upper side of said cavity and continuing from a lower side of said cavity to the lower edge of the face;

a second vertical cutting slit provided near said first side edge, wherein said second vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge to said lower edge of the face so that said second vertical cutting slit intersects with said horizontal cutting slit; and

a third vertical cutting slit provided near said second side edge, wherein said third vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge to said lower edge of the face so that said third vertical cutting slit intersects with said horizontal cutting slit.

12. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one of said front face and said rear face has:

a horizontal cutting slit provided in the middle between the upper edge and the lower edge of said face, wherein said horizontal cutting slit longitudinally extends in a horizontal direction from said first side edge to said second side edge of the face; and

a vertical cutting slit provided in the middle between the first side edge and the second side edge of said face, wherein said vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge to the lower edge of said face so that said vertical cutting slit intersects with said horizontal cutting slit.

13. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one of said front face and said rear face has:

a cavity provided in the center of the face;

a horizontal cutting slit provided in the middle between the upper edge and the lower edge of the face, wherein said horizontal cutting slit longitudinally extends in a horizontal direction from said first side edge of the face to a side of said cavity and continuing from another side of said cavity to said second side edge of the face;

a vertical cutting slit provided in the middle between the first side edge and the second side edge of the face, wherein said first vertical cutting slit longitudinally extends in a vertical direction from said upper edge of the face to an upper side of said cavity and continuing from a lower side of said cavity to the lower edge of the face.

14. The building block of claim 9, further comprising a pair of webs provided between said front and rear faces, wherein a passthrough cavity is defined by respective inner walls of said pair of webs and respective internal surfaces of said front and rear faces.

15. The building block of claim 9, further comprising a pair of webs provided between said front and rear faces, wherein a base of said first and second end faces is defined by a respective outer wall of said pair of webs.

16. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one of said first and second end faces comprises a base having a fitting channel longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face.

17. The building block of claim 9, further comprising a pair of webs provided between said front and rear faces, wherein each of the inner walls of said pair of webs comprises a base having a fitting channel longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face.

18. The building block of claim 16, further comprising an isolation panel removably positioned inside said fitting channel.

19. The building block of claim 17, further comprising an isolation panel removably positioned inside said the fitting channels of said inner walls.

20. The building block of claim 11, wherein said cavity is a passthrough cavity.

21. The building block of claim 13, wherein said cavity is a passthrough cavity.

22. The building block of claim 9, further comprising a pair of webs, each web having an inner wall and an outer wall, provided between said front and rear faces and longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face, wherein at least one web has a horizontal cutting slit provided on the inner and outer walls of said web, respectively.

23. The building block of claim 9, wherein an inner wall of at least one of said first and second end faces comprises a horizontal cutting slit extending from an outer edge of said inner wall to a base of said end face.

24. The building block of claim 9, wherein an inner wall of at least one of said first and second end faces comprises a vertical cutting slit extending from said upper face to said lower face.

25. The building block of claim 14, wherein the internal surface of at least one of said front and rear faces comprises a horizontal cutting slit extending from the inner wall of one web to the inner wall of the other web.

26. The building block of claim 14, wherein the internal surface of at least one of said front and rear faces comprises a vertical cutting slit extending from said upper face to said lower face.

27. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one said front and rear faces has:

a cavity provided on said first side edge; and

a horizontal cutting slit longitudinally extending in a horizontal direction from said second side edge to a side of said cavity.

28. The building block of claim 27, the at least one of said front and rear faces further comprises a vertical cutting slit extending from said upper face to said lower face.

29. The building block of claim 28, wherein said vertical cutting slit intercepts said horizontal cutting slit.

30. The building block of claim 9, wherein at least one said front and rear faces has:

a cavity provided on said upper edge; and

a vertical cutting slit longitudinally extending in a vertical direction from said lower edge to a side of said cavity.

31. A masonry building block comprising:

an inner cavity defined by a floor, a front wall, a rear wall opposite to said front wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall opposite to said first lateral wall;

at least one rear opening provided on said rear wall; and

a frontal opening defined by an upper face and a front face of the block.

32. The building block of claim 31, further comprising another inner cavity separated from said inner cavity by a partition wall.

33. The building block of claim 31, further wherein each of said first and second lateral walls comprises a fitting channel vertically extending on said lateral wall.

34. The building block of claim 32, wherein each side of said partition wall comprises a fitting channel vertically extending on said partition wall.

35. The building block of claim 31, further comprising a first end face longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face, and a second end face longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face, wherein said second end face is opposite to said first end face.

36. The building block of claim 35, wherein at least one of said first and second end faces comprises a base having a fitting channel longitudinally extending from said upper face to said lower face.