GB2097442A - Decorative blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

A decorative building block (2) for use in the construction of a decorative wall has an effective length (L) and an effective height (H) which are each substantially the same or substantially an integral number of times the effective length and effective height respectively of a standard brick (1). i.e. they exceed the length (height) by the thickness of the mortar joint. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Decorative blocks This invention relates to decorative building blocks, in particular blocks for use in the construction of a screen wall or any decorative wall structure. One particular use of such a decorative screen wall is as a garden wall.

In various situations it is desirable to construct a wall made up of standard bricks with decorative blocks interposed in the pattern of bricks. The decorative blocks are provided to improve the appearance of the wall.

According to the invention a decorative building block for use in the construction of a decorative wall has an effective length and an effective height which are each substantially the same as or substantially an integral number of times the effective length and effective height respectively of a standard brick.

It will be understood that in the construction of a wall a layer of mortar, typically one half inch or so thick, is provided between adjacent bricks. The "effective" length or height of a brick or a building block is defined as the dimension of the brick together with its associated mortar layer.

Using a decorative building block sized in accordance with the invention makes the blocks extremely easy and quick to incorporate in a wall of bricks and enables the decorative blocks to blend with the surrounding brickwork. The only cutting of bricks required is the standard cutting of bricks into half. None of the building material is wasted.

Preferably the width of the block is the same as the width of a standard brick. This ensures that a wall made up partly of bricks and partly of the blocks is of uniform thickness with no unsightly lip to disturb the overall appearance of the wall.

In the past decorative building blocks have been used on many occasions but they have not been sized to match standard bricks so that the bricks at each side of the blocks have to be cut away and the block does not blend well with the bricks.

The matching of the size of the decorative blocks to a standard brick also improves the weight distribution on the blocks so that they can bear a greater load and provide a more stable structure.

The decorative blocks may have a decorative relief or sculptured pattern applied on one or both side faces. Preferably the relief pattern consists of apertures passing through the block from one side to the other; this arrangement provides a particularly pleasing appearance when the blocks are installed in a wall.

The blocks may be made of concrete or other building materials including the various aggregate materials used in the industry.

According to another aspect of the invention a decorative screen wall includes a plurality of standard bricks and a plurality of decorative building blocks each being as defined above.

By way of example certain illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a decorative screen wall; Figure 2 is a front view of a block shown in the wall of Figure 1; and Figure 3 to 12 are front views of alternative forms of block to the form shown in Figure 2.

Referring first to Figure 1 a decorative screen wall is made up of standard bricks 1 and a decorative wall block 2. The bricks 1 and block 2 are joined by mortar 3 in the normal way.

The decorative screen wall block 2 is made from concrete and has apertures 4 passing right through the block from the front to the back. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the apertures are of part curved triangular cross-section.

The bricks shown in Figure 1 are standard and therefore have a width of about 4 inches, a length of about 8 2 inches and a height of about T inch. The mortar 3 is of conventional thickness, namely about one half inch.

The block 2 has a width "W" of about 4 inches, a height "H" of about 1 16 inches and a length "L" of about 1 2 inches. Thus the width of the block (4 inches) is the same as the width of the bricks (4 inches), the effective length of the block (18 inches) is about twice the effective length (9 inches) of the bricks and the effective height of the block (1 2 inches) is about four times the effective height of the bricks (3 inches). Accordingly the block can be fitted very neatly into the brickwork, and in the example shown in Figure 1, it is merely necessary to cut two bricks (indicated by reference numeral 5) in half to fit the block 2.

Apart from the size of block shown in Figure 1, various other sizes of block in which the effective length and effective height are each the same or an integral number of times the effective length and effective height respectively of a standard brick may be used. Examples of some suitable sizes for the block are given below in Table I where all dimensions are given in inches.

Table I Actual Effective Actual Effective Width Height Height Length Length 4 5w 6 8w 9 4 8s 9 8w 9 4 116 12 8 9 4 86 9 17+ 18 4 11 12 17+ 18 Blocks having half the effective lengths quoted above may also be provided as well as all the standard fittings needed should it be desirable to construct a wall solely out of the decorative blocks.

A generous tolerance of, for example, + inch may be specified for the sizes of the blocks, in particular the length and height, without serious effect.

Advantages of using the form of block described above are as follows: 1. The block sizes allow a perfect match and continuity when used with standard bricks or indeed other brick standard related building material, to build a wall.

2. The block sizes conform to the width of standard bricks so that when the blocks are used on a simple wall, they have the same thickness as the bricks and therefore there is no unsightly lip to disturb the overall appearance of the wall.

3. The block sizes save time during construction by avoiding cutting of bricks into odd sizes 4. The block sizes avoid any wastage of building material.

5. The blocks save money because less material is wasted and construction time is shortened.

While one particular form of block that may be used has been shown in Figures 1 and 2 it will be understood that other forms of block may be used. Examples of other blocks, each with apertures 4 passing therethrough are shown in Figures 3 to 12 by way of example. The blocks of Figures 2 to 12 are respectively given the following descriptive names: cruizer; Horizontal rectangles; Vertical rectangles; Full circle; Anti-cruizer; Empty circle; Wedge; Maltese cross; Double circle; Anti wedge; Anti Maltese Cross.

In the description above all dimensions are given in inches rather than metric units since this makes .he description of the invention very much clearer. It will be appreciated that all the dimensions can be converted into cm by multiplying by 2.54.

The decorative screen wall blocks may be made of materials other than concrete; for example an aggregate brick material may be employed.

While in Figure 1 a simple block is shown it will be understood that the number of blocks employed in a wall and whether they are placed together in groups or spaced apart from one another by bricks is a matter of design choice. It is of course also possible to make an entire wall from the blocks alone.

It will be clear that the dimensions of a block according to the invention are selected in accordance with the dimensions of the standard brick (or other standard building element for example a breeze block) with which the block is to be used. If for example the block is intended for use with bricks of dimensions other than those quoted above, the dimensions of the block need to be adjusted accordingly.

Claims (7)

Claims

1. A decorative building block for use in the construction of a decorative wall, the block having an effective length and an effective height which are each substantially the same as or substantially an integral number of times the effective height respectively of a standard brick.

2. A block as claimed in claim 1 in which the width of the block is the same as the width of a standard brick.

3. A block as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which a decorative relief or sculptured pattern is applied on one or both side faces.

4. A block as claimed in claim 3 in which the relief pattern consists of apertures passing through the block from one side to the other.

5. A block as claimed in any preceding claim in which the block is made of concrete.

6. A decorative building block for use in the construction of a decorative wall, the block being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A decorative wall including a plurality of standard bricks and a plurality of decorative building blocks each being as claimed in any preceding claim.