US 6,161,357 A · Bidirectionally interlocking, hollow brick wall system

Abstract

A brick with, preferably, two or three cylindrical passageways running from top to bottom, a cylindrical passageway running from one end to the opposite end, two linear grooves at one end and two linear projections at the other end which are of identical shape, and annular projections centered around the bores at top and annular grooves centered around the bores at the other side which are of identical shape. These passageways intersect, the linear grooves are slightly larger than the linear projections, and the annular grooves are slightly larger than the annular projections. The linear projections and grooves are spaced apart from the end-to-end cylindrical passageway, run from top to bottom and are preferably designed with a break for ease of assembly. When a group of bricks of are assembled into a wall, they will interlock in two different planes and will include interconnecting passageways in two planes. The bricks of this invention can be reinforced with rods or posts or filled with concrete or both. The passageways in the brick of this invention can additionally or alternatively be used for installation of plumbing or electrical supply lines and the like. As an added feature of this invention is that bricks of this invention can be assembled at other than right angles at the corners.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A bidirectionally interlocking, hollow wall system comprising an assembly of bricks each having:

a first bore running from top to bottom;
a second bore, intersecting said first bore, running from one end to the opposite end;
a linear groove in said one end, running from top to bottom, spaced apart from said second bore;
a linear projection, projecting from said opposite end, running from top to bottom, spaced apart from said second bore;
an annular groove centered about said first bore in said top;
and an annular projection centered about said first bore projecting from said bottom;
said linear groove and linear projection designed to mate;
said annular groove and annular projection designed to mate to allow for rotation;
whereby a plurality of said bricks can be assembled to create walls meeting at a desired corner angle.

6 more elements

A method of fabricating a bidirectionally interlocking, hollow wall system comprising the steps of:

a providing a plurality of first bricks;
each first brick having:
a square cross-section;
a length equal to twice its width;
two spaced apart first bores each running from top to bottom;
a second bore, intersecting said first bores, running from one end to the opposite end;
a linear groove in said one end, running from top to bottom spaced apart from said second bore;
a linear projection projecting from said opposite end, running from top to bottom spaced apart from said second bore;
two annular grooves each centered about each of said first bores in said top;
and two annular projections each centered about each of said first bores projecting from said bottom;
said linear groove and linear projection designed to mate;
said annular grooves and annular projections designed to mate to allow for rotation;
b providing a plurality of second bricks;
each second brick having:
a length three times its width;
three spaced apart first bores each running from top to bottom;
a second bore, intersecting said first bore, running from one end to the opposite end;
a linear groove in said one end, running from top to bottom spaced apart from said second bore;
a linear projection projecting from said opposite end, running from top to bottom spaced apart from said second bore;
three annular grooves each centered about each of said first bores in said top;
and three annular projections each centered about each of said first bores projecting from said bottom;
said linear groove and linear projection designed to mate;
said annular grooves and annular projections designed to mate to allow for rotation;
said first bricks and second bricks, designed to mate with each other;
and
c assembling said bricks to create a wall with interconnecting passageways in two planes.

23 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bidirectionally interlocking, hollow brick wall system

Life of this patent

Bidirectionally interlocking, hollow brick wall system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36