Nisula, Ero V. (Clearwater, FL)
Nisula, Waino W. (Clearwater, FL)

05/231462

06/11/1974

03/30/1972

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52/579

F16B5/00; E04C2/08

52/588,731,595,579

3562992		February 1971	Kinsey
3605363		September 1970	Bard
3698149	COMPOSITE BEAM STRUCTURE AND ASSEMBLY	October 1972	Baher

Sutherland, Henry C.

Raduazo H. E.

Tushin, Aaron

We claim

1. A generally U-shaped, block-construction module consisting of a three-sided extruded configuration having a crotch portion at one end comprising an end wall member and inner, bottom and outer groove forming wall portions at each side of said end wall member, and providing grooves extending away from said end wall member, a pair of parallel legs in alignment with said outer groove forming wall portions and integrally connected thereto at one end and extending away from said end wall member in the same direction as said grooves, a detent on one face of each groove and an abutment on the other face with said detent being located on said inner groove forming wall near the bottom of said groove and the abutment being located on said outer groove forming wall near the mouth of said groove, a male interlocking member at the other end of each of said legs and having inner and outer spaced protrusions on the inner sides thereof, said outer protrusion being spaced from the end of said member a less distance than the spacing of the detent from the bottom of the groove whereby the detent and a corresponding protrusion on an adjacent module may interlock, and said inner protrusion being spaced from the end of the member the same distance as the abutment from the bottom and facing in the opposite direction therefrom whereby the abutment and a corresponding inner protrusion on an adjacent module would prevent the male interlocking member on such adjacent module from shifting laterally of the groove, and a shoulder connecting the male interlocking member to said leg whereby said shoulder is adapted to abut an end wall of the corresponding groove of an adjacent module when connected thereto.

This invention relates to metal snaps blocks, preferably of extruded aluminum shapes in various sizes or lengths for use in place of bricks, concrete blocks, etc. to form walls, flooring, ceilings, etc. of building structures. More particularly the present invention is directed to extruded aluminum shapes, such as blocks, strips, etc. having male and female snaps so that one section is adapted to be snapped onto another section from the side or top. These aluminum extruded shapes may vary in thickness which is governed by the type and use of the contemplated installation. Extruded framework for corners, tops, bases, etc. are also contemplated and may be of various shapes depending on the requirements of the specific installation contemplated. More particularly this invention relates to interlocking structural wall systems of extruded metal sections which are formed by serially interconnecting together adjacent ends of like structural members by the adjacent complementary interlocking configuration of said members.

Interlocking extruded elements are conceded to be broadly known in the art and many relatively effective and novel designs have evolved throughout the years. However, virtually all of the designs heretofore presented rely on their effective interlockability upon outward pressure of the inner member and/or the inward pressure of the outer member, making the entire interlocked composition wholly dependent upon the resiliency of the material from which the extrusions are fabricated. Thus, if enough force is exerted in a direct pull, or if the inner member is squeezed sufficiently, the members will part. Furthermore, many of the interlocking designs do not effectively provide a weather seal. This invention does most effectively provide such a seal.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel form of building block or plank, depending upon the preferred length of extrusion, or plane in which it is used;

IT IS A FURTHER OBJECT OF THIS INVENTION TO PROVIDE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS WHICH MAY BE USED AS WALL, FLOOR OR ROOF MEMBERS;

IT IS A FURTHER OBJECT OF THIS INVENTION TO PROVIDE BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES SIMULTANEOUSLY OF A WALL, FLOOR OR ROOF MEMBER, ALL OF WHICH MAY BE TEXTURED OR NOT, TO PROVIDE DECORATIVE AND ESTHETIC VALUE TO SUCH A SYSTEM.

Another object of this invention is to provide a complete system of interlocking members to include such structural and trim members as columns, sills, jambs, lintels, etc., all utilizing the same uniform interlocking device.

A further object of this invention is to provide an interlocking corner member to receive male and female sections of the basic module for utilization in vertical configuration.

Another object of this invention is to provide male and female detents (protrusions) in the male and female interlocking portions (opposed ends) of the members so that once two sections are snapped together it becomes virtually impossible to pull the mated parts apart when a direct force (pull) is employed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new, improved interlocking construction to effect the permanent interlocking of its members.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the disclosure hereinafter set forth with particular reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein like numbers describe like parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a preferred configuration of the basic block module;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the male portion of the interlocking portion of the basic block module as well as other mating modules;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the female portion of the interlocking portion of the basic block module as well as other mating modules;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of one type of sill module taken along a cut-line 4--4 of a building structure shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a mated male and female portions of a pair of typical basic modules;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the cut-line 6--6 of FIG. 14 showing the mating of a basic module with a header framing member;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along cut-line 7--7 of FIG. 14 showing the mating of a basic module with another type of sill framing member;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along cut-line 8--8 of FIG. 14 showing the mating of a basis module with a plate member;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along cut-line 9--9 of FIG. 14 showing the mating of a basic module with still another type of sill member which receives a standard screening enclosure member;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a flush closure cap member;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken long cut-line 11--11 of FIG. 15 of one type of interlocking corner member designed to receive male and female portions of the basic module when utilized in a vertical configuration;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along cut-line 12--12 of FIG. 15, a universal type of corner member (non-interlocking) designed to receive either male or female portions of the basic module when utilized in a vertical configuration;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along cut-line 13--13 of FIG. 14 of a non-interlocking jamb framing member;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a typical structure constructed of components described in this invention; and

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a typical structure constructed of components described in this invention, with basic modules utilized in a vertical configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown the preferred configuration of a basic block module cross section consisting of a generally U-shaped extrusion designated by the number 10, with arrow, a crotch portion 11, with a pair of legs 12 extending therefrom. At each of the junctions of the crotch portion with the legs, there is a female interlocking groove 13 which is provided with a continuous longitudinally extending abutment 14 and a continuous longitudinally extending detent 15. At the foot of each leg 12 is a male interlocking member 16, offset inwardly of the legs 12 by a shoulder 12, each of which legs has two inwardly extending longitudinal continuous protrusions 17 and 18.

Thie protrusions in the male and female interlocking portions may better be observed in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the foremost protrusions 17 of the male interlocking member is angled at approximately 30° to be forcibly slipped past a complementary 30° angle on detent 15. When snapped into place, faces 17a and 15a, approximately angled at 15° contact each other in a mutual plane, thereby effecting a positive locking action. The locking action is further insured by the secondary continuous abutment 14 being brought to bear against the outside plane 19 of the male member, while simultaneously, secondary continuous protrusion 18 of the male member is brought to bear against plane 20 of the female interlocking member. Once thus snapped together, it is virtually impossible to pull the mated parts apart in a direct pull. They can only be parted by longitudinal sliding action with extreme difficulty. The mated portions may be best observed in FIG. 5.

As previously mentioned, FIG. 4 depicts one type of sill member 21 having typical male interlockers 16, a plane surface 21a, and identical return portions 22 and 23, which form a relief type of decorative sill.

FIG. 6, which depicts a header framing member 24, serves the dual purpose of forming a closure for the open portion of the U-shape of the basic module while also providing a trim or frame 25 on each side of the basic module. This member 24 may be used in lieu of the plate member 30 shown in FIG. 8 if a framing trim is desired at the plate line. Header 24 is provided with a standard female groove 13 with suitably thickened outer wall 26 to effect the trim frame 25.

FIG. 7 depicts a sill-type member 27 with framing trim portions 28 to match trim of header 24 (FIG. 6), and jamb member 60 shown in FIG. 13. This member 27 may also be usd in lieu of sill 21 (FIG. 4) if and when desired. Plate member 30, shown in FIG. 8, is actually the starting member of this system, being fastened to the floor by any approved anchoring device 30a such as lags, powder actuated bolts, etc., with each successive block member being snapped into place in the desired design. Plate 30 is extruded with female grooves 13 which form a flush plane with the outer surfaces of the legs 12 of a typical basic module.

Sill 32, shown in FIG. 9, is similar to sill 21 (FIG. 4) having similar components and configuration except for the addition of standard detents 33 designed to receive standard screen enclosure molding members 34, shown in phantom lines.

Closure member 35, shown in FIG. 10, is designed to provide a flush planed closure for the female interlocking grooves of the basic module (10), having appropriately located male interlockers 16, from which there are outward extensions 36 of the upper plane 37 of the closure member 35. When thus interlocked, extensions 36 conform to the outer plane of the legs 12 of the basic module.

Vertical corner member 40 of FIG. 11 (with arrow) consists of a leg 41 with a typical female interlocking groove 13, a second leg 42, joined at a 90° angle to leg 41, leg 42 having at its extremity, an appropriately located offset male interlocking member 16, and a third leg 43, disposed at 45° between legs 41 and 42, with its extremity being provided with a female groove 13 facing in a parallel configuration with the groove 13 of leg 41, plus a male interlocker 16 appropriately attached at 90° to the outer plane 44 of the female groove, and so disposed in a manner parallel to the male interlocker 16 of leg 42. Thus it can be understood when used in a vertical configuration, the basic modules may continue to any desired distance, the wall then right-angled in either direction to suit the designer, until a peripheral wall is accomplished. It should at this point be understood that this particular concept is not limited to 90°angles, but to any desired obtuse angle, combinations of obtuse and/or right angles, and even acute angles within a reasonable scope.

FIG. 12 depicts a non-interlocking vertical corner member 50 which may be used similarly to corner member 40, with the exception that depth of penetration of male and/or female portions of the basic module can vary somewhat and external fastenings must be used to keep the members together. As in corner member 40, this concept may be extended to include any number of obtuse angles, combinations of obtuse and/or right angles, and acute angles within a reasonable scope. Member 50 consists of two legs 51 and 52 disposed at 90° from each other, with a square or rectangular protrusion or stops 53 and 54, and a central leg 55, disposed at a 45° angle between legs 51 and 52, at the terminus of which is a generally Y-shaped divergence consisting of feet 56 and 57, disposed at right angles to each other, thus forming parallel feet to those of legs 51 and 52 respectively. At the heel of feet 56 and 57 is a rectangular boss 58, with planes 58a and 58b serving as stops, similar to stops 52 and 54.

Jamb member 60, shown in FIG. 13 may be used somewhat universally in lieu of members 21, 24, 27, 30 and 35, provided external fastenings, such as sheet metal screws 61 are used to hold it in place.

From the descriptions as applied in detail to the figures of the drawings it will be apparent that a basic building block module which may take the form in construction of blocks, walls, floors, ceilings, etc., all effected by extruded aluminum modules wherein a new alignment of detents (protrusions) in male and female interlocking configurations effect an almost indestructible alignments of serially interconnecing adjacent ends of like structural members. It will be seen that there are continuous angled detents on the male insert to correspond with continuous angled detents in the female grooves which are adapted to snap together; with additional spaced continuous detents on the opposite male and female surfaces which prevent lateral movement of the interlocking members, thus effectively and permanently securing the serial structural modules together.

Accordingly, it will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished with great economic advantages in cost, time and labor involved in present day building construction involving concrete blocks, wood panelling and framing, sheet plastic substitutes of all kinds for walls, ceilings, floors, and many other installations. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing specific embodiments have been shown and described only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and are subject to extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.