Structural building block system and method comprising same

Abstract

A building block arrangement configured for constructing residential, industrial and commercial structures comprises a first layer of building blocks and a second layer of building blocks. The first layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the first layer. The second layer of building blocks includes two spaced apart rows of building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the building blocks of the second layer. The second layer of building blocks is positioned on top of the first layer of building blocks. The second layer of building blocks spans across at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks.

1 . A building block arrangement configured for constructing residential, industrial and commercial structures, comprising 
 alternating layers of a first configuration of building block and a second configuration of building block, wherein said layer of the first configuration of building block includes spaced apart rows of the first configuration of building block such that a space is provided between adjacent side faces of the first configuration of building block of said spaced apart rows, wherein said layer of the second configuration of building block includes at least one row of the second configuration of building block and wherein said at least one row of the second configuration of building block laterally spans at least a portion of the space provided between said adjacent side faces of said layer of the first configuration of building block.    
   
   
       2 . The building block arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one of a barrier material and a utility article disposed within at least a portion of the space between said spaced apart rows of the first layer.    
   
   
       3 . The building block arrangement of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said layer of the first configuration of building block includes building blocks having an interlocking structure configured for enabling building blocks of said first layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers;    said layer of the second configuration of building block includes building blocks having an interlocking structure configured for enabling building blocks of said second layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers; and    at least a portion of said building blocks of said layer of the first configuration are interlocked with at least a portion of said building blocks of said layer of the second configuration.    
   
   
       4 . The building block arrangement of  claim 3  wherein said building blocks of the first configuration include spaced apart side faces that are substantially equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlocking structure.  
   
   
       5 . The building block arrangement of  claim 3  wherein said building blocks of the first configuration include spaced apart side faces that are substantially non-equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlocking structure.  
   
   
       6 . The building block arrangement of  claim 3  wherein: 
 an upper face of each one of said building blocks of the first configuration and each one of said building blocks of the second configuration includes a first configuration of interlocking structure;    a lower face of each one of said building blocks of the first configuration and each one of said building blocks of the second configuration includes a second configuration of interlocking structure; and    the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure are interlockably engagable with each other.    
   
   
       7 . The building block arrangement of  claim 6  wherein the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure jointly locate respective building blocks laterally and longitudinally with respect to adjacent interlocked building blocks.  
   
   
       8 . The building block arrangement of  claim 6  wherein: 
 at least a portion of said building blocks of the second configuration include a utility passage channel in an end face thereof;    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that end-to-end engagement of two of said building blocks including the utility passage channel forms a vertically extending utility passage; and    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that the vertically extending utility passage is positioned at least partially in-line with the space.    
   
   
       9 . The building block arrangement of  claim 1  wherein 
 said layer of the first configuration of building block includes building blocks having an interlocking structure configured for enabling building blocks of said first layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers;    said layer of the second configuration of building block includes building blocks having an interlocking structure configured for enabling building blocks of said second layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers;    at least a portion of said building blocks of the first configuration are interlocked with at least a portion of said building blocks of the second configuration;    an upper face of each one of said building blocks of the first configuration and each one of said building blocks of the second configuration includes a first configuration of interlocking structure;    a lower face of each one of staid building blocks of the first configuration and each one of said building blocks of the second configuration includes a second configuration of interlocking structure; and    the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure are interlockably engagable with each other.    
   
   
       10 . The building block arrangement of  claim 9  wherein: 
 at least a portion of said building blocks of the second configuration include a utility passage channel in an end face thereof;    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that end-to-end engagement of two of said building blocks including the utility passage channel forms a vertically extending utility passage; and    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that the vertically extending utility passage is positioned at least partially in-line with the space.    
   
   
       11 . A building block arrangement configured for constructing residential, industrial and commercial structures, comprising 
 a first layer of building blocks including two spaced apart rows of said building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of said building blocks of the first layer; and    a second layer of building blocks including two spaced apart rows of said building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of said building blocks of the second layer, wherein the second layer of building blocks is positioned on top of the first layer of building blocks and wherein the second layer of building blocks spans across at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks.    
   
   
       12 . The building block arrangement of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 at least one of a barrier material and a utility article disposed within at least a portion of the space between said spaced apart rows of the first layer.    
   
   
       13 . The building block arrangement of  claim 11  wherein: 
 said building blocks of the first layer include interlocking structures configured for enabling at least a portion of said building blocks of the first layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers of building blocks;    said building blocks of the second layer include interlocking structures configured for enabling at least a portion of said building blocks of the second layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers of building blocks; and    at least a portion of said interlocking structures of said building blocks of the first layer are interlocked with respective ones of said interlocking structures of said building blocks of the second layer.    
   
   
       14 . The building block arrangement of  claim 13  wherein: 
 said spaced apart rows of building blocks of the first layer includes a row of single-engagement buildings and a row of multiple-engagement building blocks;    said spaced apart rows of building blocks of the second layer includes a row of single-engagement building blocks and a row of multiple-engagement;    each one of said multiple-engagement building blocks includes a first set of interlock structures and a second set of interlock structures;    the first set of said interlocking structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first layer are engaged with the first set of said interlocking structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the second layer; and    the second set of said interlocking structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first layer are engaged with said interlocking structures of the single-engagement building blocks of the second layer.    
   
   
       15 . The building block arrangement of  claim 14  wherein said single-engagement building blocks of the first layer and the second layer include spaced apart side faces that are substantially equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlocking structure.  
   
   
       16 . The building block arrangement of  claim 14  wherein said single-engagement building blocks of the first layer and the second layer include spaced apart side faces that are substantially non-equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlocking structure.  
   
   
       17 . The building block arrangement of  claim 13  wherein: 
 an upper face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a first configuration of interlocking structure;    a lower face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a second configuration of interlocking structure; and    the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure are interlockably engagable with each other.    
   
   
       18 . The building block arrangement of  claim 17  wherein the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure jointly locate respective building blocks laterally and longitudinally with respect to adjacent interlocked building blocks.  
   
   
       19 . The building block arrangement of  claim 13  wherein: 
 at least a portion of said multiple-engagement building blocks include a utility passage channel in an end face thereof;    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that end-to-end engagement of two of said building blocks including the utility passage channel forms a vertically extending utility passage; and    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that the vertically extending utility passage is positioned at least partially in-line with the space.    
   
   
       20 . The building block arrangement of  claim 11  wherein: 
 said building blocks of the first layer include interlocking structures configured for enabling at least a portion of said building blocks of the first layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers of building blocks;    said building blocks of the second layer include interlocking structures configured for enabling at least a portion of said building blocks of the second layer to be interlocked with building blocks of adjacent layers of building blocks;    at least a portion of said interlocking structures of said building blocks of the first layer are interlocked with respective ones of said interlocking structures of said building blocks of the second layer;    said spaced apart rows of building blocks of the first layer includes a row of multiple-engagement building blocks and a row of multiple-engagement building blocks;    said spaced apart rows of building blocks of the second layer includes a row of multiple-engagement building blocks and a row of multiple-engagement building blocks;    each one of said multiple-engagement building blocks includes a first set of interlocking structures and a second set of interlocking structures;    the first set of said interlock structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first layer are engaged with the first set of said interlock structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the second layer; and    the second set of said interlock structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first layer are engaged with said interlock structures of the single-engagement building blocks of the second layer    
   
   
       21 . The building block arrangement of  claim 20  wherein: 
 an upper face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a first configuration of interlock structure;    a lower face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a second configuration of interlock structure; and    the first configuration of interlock structure and the second configuration of interlock structure king structure are interlockably engagable with each other.    
   
   
       22 . The building block arrangement of  claim 21  wherein: 
 at least a portion of said multiple-engagement building blocks include a utility passage channel in an end face thereof;    the utility passage channel of each one of said multiple-engagement building blocks is positioned such that end-to-end engagement of two of said multiple-engagement building blocks including the utility passage channel forms a vertically-extending utility passage; and    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that the vertically extending utility passage is positioned at least partially in-line with the space.    
   
   
       23 . A system of building blocks configured for use in constructing residential, industrial and commercial structures, the system of building blocks comprising: 
 a first configuration of building block having an interlock structure provided at an upper face thereof and provided at a lower face thereof;    a second configuration of building block having at least two adjacent spaced apart interlock structures provided at an upper face thereof and provided at a lower face thereof; and    wherein the interlock structure provided at the upper face of the first configuration of building block and the interlock structure provided at the lower face of the first configuration of building block are each configured, respectively, for being interlockably engaged with each one of said interlock structures provided at the lower face of the second configuration of building block and for being interlockably engaged with each one of said interlock structures provided at the upper face of the second configuration of building block.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the first configuration of building block includes spaced apart side faces that are substantially non-equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlock structure.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein said first configuration of building block includes spaced apart side faces that are substantially equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlock structure.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 a third configuration of building block having an interlock structure provided at an upper face thereof and provided at a lower face thereof;    wherein the interlock structure provided at the upper face of the third configuration of building block and the interlock structure provided at the lower face of the third configuration of building block are each configured, respectively, for being interlockably engaged with each one of said interlock structures provided at the lower face of the second configuration of building block and for being interlockably engaged with each one of said interlock structures provided at the upper face of the second configuration of building block; and    wherein the third configuration of building block includes spaced apart side faces that are substantially non-equidistant from a longitudinal centerline of the interlock structure.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a fourth configuration of building block having an interlock structure provided at an upper face thereof and provided at a lower face thereof;    wherein the interlock structure provided at the upper face of the fourth configuration of building block and the interlock structure provided at the lower face of the fourth configuration of building block are each configured, respectively, for being interlockably engaged with each one of said interlock structures provided at the lower face of the second configuration of building block and for being interlockably engaged with each one of said interlock structures provided at the upper face of the second configuration of building block;    wherein the interlock structure of the forth configuration of building block include a pair of longitudinally spaced apart interlock elements at the upper face thereof; and    wherein the fourth configuration of building block includes spaced apart end faces that are each substantially non-equidistant from a lateral centerline of a respective one of said longitudinally spaced apart interlock elements.    
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein: 
 the second configuration of building block includes spaced apart end faces;    the second configuration of building block includes a utility passage channel in at least one of said end faces extending between the upper face thereof and lower face thereof; and    the utility passage channel is positioned such end-to-end engagement of two of the second configuration of building block forms a vertically extending utility passage.    
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein: 
 the second configuration of building block includes a layer of barrier material applied to a least one of said faces having said interlock structures provided thereon.    
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 23  wherein: 
 the second configuration of building block includes spaced apart end faces;    the second configuration of building block includes a utility passage channel in at least one of said end faces extending between the upper face thereof and lower face thereof; and    the utility passage channel is positioned such end-to-end engagement of two of the second configuration of building block forms a vertically extending utility passage.    
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 23  wherein: 
 the second configuration of building block includes a layer of barrier material applied to a least one of said faces having said interlock structures provided thereon.    
   
   
       32 . A method of constructing structures, comprising: 
 forming a first layer of building blocks, wherein the first layer includes spaced apart rows of said building blocks whereby a space is provided between adjacent side faces of said building blocks of the first layer and wherein said building blocks of the first layer are interlockable with building blocks of adjacent layers of building blocks;    disposing at least one of a barrier material and a utility article within at least a portion of the space; and    forming a second layer of building blocks on top of the first layer of building blocks, wherein said building blocks of the second layer are interlockably engagable with building blocks of adjacent layers of building blocks; wherein the second layer of building blocks spans at least a portion of the space in the first layer of building blocks and wherein said forming includes interlocking at least a portion of said building blocks of the first layer with at least a portion of said building blocks of the second layer.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein: 
 an upper face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a first configuration of the interlocking structure;    a lower face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a second configuration of said interlocking structure;    the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure are interlockably engagable with each other; and    said forming includes engaging the first configuration of the interlocking structure of at least a portion of said building blocks of the first layer with the second configuration of the interlocking structure of at least a portion of said building blocks of the second layer.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein: 
 said building blocks of the first layer are building blocks of a first configuration;    said building blocks of the second layer are building blocks of a second configuration; and    the second configuration of building blocks of the second row laterally spans at least a portion of the space provided between said adjacent side faces of the first configuration of building block of the first row.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein: 
 the first layer of building blocks and the second layer of building blocks each includes a row of single-engagement building blocks and a row of multiple-engagement building blocks;    said multiple-engagement building blocks include adjacent spaced apart sets of interlocking structures;    said single-engagement building blocks include a set of interlocking structures;    forming the second row includes engaging a first set of said spaced apart sets of interlocking structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first row with a first set of said interlocking structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first row and engaging a second set of said spaced apart sets of interlocking structures of the multiple-engagement building blocks of the first row with said interlocking structure of the single-engagement building blocks of the first row.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein: 
 an upper face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a first configuration of the interlocking structure;    a lower face of each one of said building blocks of the first layer and each one of said building blocks of the second layer includes a second configuration of said interlocking structure;    the first configuration of interlocking structure and the second configuration of interlocking structure are interlockably engagable with each other; and    said forming includes engaging the first configuration of the interlocking structure of at least a portion of said building blocks of the first layer with the second configuration of the interlocking structure of at least a portion of said building blocks of the second layer.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein: 
 at least a portion of said multiple-engagement building blocks include a utility passage channel in an end face thereof;    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that end-to-end engagement of two of said building blocks including the utility passage channel forms a vertically extending utility passage;    the utility passage channel of each one of said building blocks is positioned such that the vertically extending utility passage is positioned at least partially in-line with the space;    said forming the first layer includes position a utility article within the space; and    said forming the second layer of building blocks includes positioning the utility article within the utility passage.