EP0225725A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Building blocks
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-11-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A building block (1) is formed from a strong synthetic plastics or other material and has a size which is the same as, or a simple multiple, or sub-multiple, of that of a standard building block or a standard building brick with which the block (1) is destined to be used. The block (1) defines, at at least one side, a central oblong recess (2) in which, with or without the assistance of a two-part box member (4), a "double" socket, switch or other electrical item (24, Figure 3) can be accommodated employing machine screws 25 (Figure 3) conventionally supplied with the item (24) to co-operate with screw-threaded holes (14) in metal fastening strips (12) to secure the electrical item (24) reliably in its appointed position. The size and construction of the block (1) enable it to co-operate with standard building bricks in, for example, replacing a single breeze block so that substantially no "chasing out" or other preparation work is required on site to enable electrical sockets, switches and the like to be provided wherever is desirable, the extra cost of additional blocks (1) being more than compensated for by the considerable reduction in on site installation work that results from their use.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Leslie Rea
- 👤 Stanley Robert Bagshaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:36
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04C; E04C1/00; E04C1/40; E04C1/39; E04C1/397; H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/12; H02G3/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A building block (1), characterised in that it is recessed (2) to accommodate the body of at least one electrical socket, switch or the like (24), the block (1) comprising means (12, 13, 15, 19) to enable such a socket, switch or the like (24) to be releaseably secured thereto and having overall dimensions that are the same as, or a simple multiple, or sub-multiple, of those of a standard building block or a standard building brick with which the building block (1) is destined to be employed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A building block (1), characterised in that it is recessed (2) to accommodate the body of at least one electrical socket, switch or the like (24), the block (1) comprising means (12, 13, 15, 19) to enable such a socket, switch or the like (24) to be releaseably secured thereto and having overall dimensions that are the same as, or a simple multiple, or sub-multiple, of those of a standard building block or a standard building brick with which the building block (1) is destined to be employed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A building block according to claim 1, characterised in that box members (4, 20) are provided to fit in the recesses (2), the box members (4, 20) being of such sizes that the bodies of electrical sockets, switches or the like (24) will fit therein when they occupy respective recesses (2).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A building block according to claim 2, characterised in that each box member (4, 20) has a free edge (22, 26) which, when installed in a recess (2), projects from the mouth of that recess (2) through a distance which is appropriate to have the exposed surface of light concrete, plaster, mortar or the like (23) flush therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A building block according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the block (1) is moulded wholly or principally from a synthetic plastics material, and in that the means (12, 13, 15, 19) to enable a socket, switch or the like (24) to be releaseably secured thereto comprises electrically conductive strips (12, 15) one of which (12) is partially received in a slot (13) formed in the material of the block (1) and the other (15) of which is releaseably secured to the material of the block (1) by an anchor screw (19) entered through a hole (18) in one limb of said other metallic strip (15).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A building block according to claim 4, characterised in that said other metallic strip (15) is provided with an electrical terminal (17) to which wiring can be releaseably secured for earthing purposes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A building block according to claim 2 or to any one of claims 3 to 5 when read as directly or indirectly appendant to claim 2, characterised in that the or each box member (4, 20) comprises two separable parts (8, 9 or 9, 21) that are constructed and arranged to fit together in a non-interlocking manner which is such that at least two different sizes of box member (4, 20) can be produced using one part (9) that is common to both sizes of box member (4, 20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A building block according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a portion of the block (1) surrounding the or each recess (2) is formed with a plurality of cellular gaps (5), and in that the outer surface of each of at least a plurality of the cellular gaps (5) is formed with a partition (6) which is constructed and arranged so as to be readily manually removable to leave an opening through which electrical cables can pass to reach the corresponding recess (2).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A building block according to claim 7 when read as directly or indirectly appendant to claim 2, characterised in that the walls of the or each box member (4, 20) are also formed with readily manually removable partitions (10) in positions which substantially register with at least some of the partitions (6) formed in the outer walls of the cellular gaps (5) of the block (1).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
A building block according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it exhibits at least one recess (2) at each of two opposite sides thereof whereby the same block (1) can accommodate sockets, switches or the like (24) in a wall between two neighbouring rooms or the like, and in that a central wall (3) of the block (1) between two such recesses (2) is formed with at least one readily manually removable partition (7) so that, upon the removal thereof, electrical wiring can pass directly through the resultant hole(s) in the central wall (3) to interconnect electrical units housed in the recesses (2) concerned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A building block according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the material from which the block (1) is formed is coloured to distinguish one particular form of block (1) visually from other differently coloured forms of block.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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