Interlocking puzzle

An arcuate structure containing at least sixty six-sided building blocks, and said six-sided building blocks are independently able to provide means for connecting one of said six-sided building blocks to at least one of said six-sided building blocks. The outside face of the six-sided block has a substantially rhomboidal shape, and is substantially parallel to the inside face of the six-sided block. The right edges and the left edges have equal lengths and form equal angles with the inside face and outside face. The left and right sides of the six-sided block are congruent with each other, are in the shape of a parallelogram, and contain two recesses and two projections within their borders. The six-sided block contains a top side with a substantially rectangular shape and a recess and disposed within such shape, a left and right side (each of which are congruent with the left and right sides of the six-sided block), and a front and back side (each of which are congruent with each other and with the back side of the six-sided block).

 

I claim:

1. An arcuate structure comprised of a plurality of six-sided building block connected to each other by a plurality of recesses and projections wherein:

(a). each of said building blocks is an integral building block with a substantially rhomboidal cross-sectional shape, wherein said integral building block is comprised of an outside face, an inside face, a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, and

(b). said outside face opposes said inside face and is connected to said inside face by said first wall, said second wall, said third wall and said fourth wall, and

(c). said first wall is comprised of a first planar projection which is substantially perpendicular to said outside wall and said inside wall, and which points inward, towards said inside wall, and

(d). said first planar projection is located on said first wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said first wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(e). said second wall is comprised of a first receptacle with a hole to accept said first planar projection from the nearest adjacent block, and

(f). said first receptacle is at a substantially acute angle to said outside wall and to said inside wall, and

(g). said first receptacle is located on said second wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said second wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(h). said third wall is comprised of a second planar projection which is substantially perpendicular to said outside wall and said inside wall, and which points inward, towards said inside wall, and

(i). said second planar projection is located on said third wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said first wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(j). said fourth wall is comprised of a second receptacle with a hole to accept said second planar projection from the nearest adjacent block, and

(k). said second receptacle is at a substantially acute angle to said outside wall and to said inside wall, and

(l). said second receptacle is located on said fourth wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said second wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(m). said building structure is comprised of sixty building blocks, and

(n). said building structure is comprised of a trapezoidal hexecontahedron.

2. The building structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of ceramic material.

3. The building structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of plastic material.

4. The building structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of metal material.

5. The building structure as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of paper material.

6. An arcuate structure comprised of a plurality of six-sided building block connected to each other by a plurality of recesses and projections wherein:

(a). each of said building blocks is an integral building block with a substantially rhomboidal cross-sectional shape, wherein said integral building block is comprised of an outside face, an inside face, a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, and

(b). said outside face opposes said inside face and is connected to said inside face by said first wall, said second wall, said third wall and said fourth wall, and

(c). said first wall is comprised of a first planar projection which is substantially perpendicular to said outside wall and said inside wall, and which points inward, towards said inside wall, and

(d). said first planar projection is located on said first wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said first wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(e). said second wall is comprised of a first receptacle with a hole to accept said first planar projection from the nearest adjacent block, and

(f). said first receptacle is at a substantially acute angle to said outside wall and to said inside wall, and

(g). said first receptacle is located on said second wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said second wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(h). said third wall is comprised of a second planar projection which is substantially perpendicular to said outside wall and said inside wall, and which points inward, towards said inside wall, and

(i). said second planar projection is located on said third wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said first wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(j). said fourth wall is comprised of a second receptacle with a hole to accept said second planar projection from the nearest adjacent block, and

(k). said second receptacle is at a substantially acute angle to said outside wall and to said inside wall, and

(l). said second receptacle is located on said fourth wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said second wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(m). said building structure is comprised of sixty building blocks, and

(n). said building structure is comprised of a trapezoidal hexecontahedron, and

(o). said outside wall is comprised of faces from ten different cubes which belong to a compound of twenty cubes.

7. The building structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of ceramic material.

8. The building structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of plastic material.

9. The building structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of metal material.

10. The building structure as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of paper material.

11. An arcuate structure comprised of a plurality of six-sided building block connected to each other by a plurality of recesses and projections wherein:

(a). each of said building blocks is an integral building block with a substantially rhomboidal cross-sectional shape, wherein said integral building block is comprised of an outside face, an inside face, a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, and

(b). said outside face opposes said inside face and is connected to said inside face by said first wall, said second wall, said third wall and said fourth wall, and

(c). said first wall is comprised of a first planar projection which is substantially perpendicular to said outside wall and said inside wall, and which points inward, towards said inside wall, and

(d). said first planar projection is located on said first wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said first wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(e). said second wall is comprised of a first receptacle with a hole to accept said first planar projection from the nearest adjacent block, and

(f). said first receptacle is at a substantially acute angle to said outside wall and to said inside wall, and

(g). said first receptacle is located on said second wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said second wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(h). said third wall is comprised of a second planar projection which is substantially perpendicular to said outside wall and said inside wall, and which points inward, towards said inside wall, and

(i). said second planar projection is located on said third wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said first wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(j). said fourth wall is comprised of a second receptacle with a hole to accept said second planar projection from the nearest adjacent block, and

(k). said second receptacle is at a substantially acute angle to said outside wall and to said inside wall, and

(l). said second receptacle is located on said fourth wall at a position where a straight line drawn perpendicular to said second wall on said inside face will go through the center of said inside face, and

(m). said building structure is comprised of sixty building blocks, and

(n). said building structure is comprised of a trapezoidal hexecontahedron, and

(o). said outside wall is comprised of faces from ten different cubes which belong to a compound of fifteen cubes.

12. The building structure as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of ceramic material.

13. The building structure as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of plastic material.

14. The building structure as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of metal material.

15. The building structure as recited in claim 11, wherein each of said building blocks consists essentially of paper material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Building blocks which are unit shapes which are to be joined together into arcuate structures, which interlock without an independent key, and which can be made from a two piece mold without an undercut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,194, 5,329,737, 5,560,151, and 5,732,518 a building structure is disclosed which is comprised of building blocks which are substantially triangular; the entire description of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. This prior art building structure requires more than one type of building blocks.

It is an object of this invention to provide a building block which can be more readily assembled than prior art building blocks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a building block which can be readily locked into tangential position of a radial structure upon assembly.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel interlocking radial structure which does not have an independent key and which can be made from a simple two piece mold without undercuts.

It is another object of this invention to provide a building block which can be assembled as a puzzle which describes a compound of cubes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a building block which can be assembled as a puzzle which describes a compound of octahedra.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a building structure comprised of a plurality of a first building block removably attached to one another other. These blocks can be used to construct a spherical section, such as a dome, which is a trapezoidal hexacontahedron.

There is also provided a building structure comprised of a second type of building block removably attached to itself.

There is also provided a building structure comprised of a third type of building block removably attached to itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description thereof, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the geodesic dome of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of one hexagonal section of the dome of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of one hexagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of one corner of the building block of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the block of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one side of the block of FIG. 3, taken along lines 5--5.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a pentagonal section of the dome of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of a pentagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a corner of the block of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the block of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a wall of the block of FIG. 7, taken along lines 9--9.

FIG. 10 is a partial top view of a geodesic dome of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of the dome of FIG. 10, taken along lines 11--11.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of three of the building blocks of FIG. 1 joined together.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view, taken along lines 14--14 of FIG. 12, of the juncture of two of said building blocks.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a wedge used to join the building blocks in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the wedge of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top view of one preferred cylindrical structure of this invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a first preferred building block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a back view of the block of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the block of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a front view of the block of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the block of FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a second preferred building block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 25 is a top view of the block of FIG. 24.

FIGS. 26 and 28 are each side views of the block of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a front view of the block of FIG. 24.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a straight wall structure of applicants' invention.

FIG. 30 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 29.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are each side views of the structure of FIG. 29.

FIG. 33 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 29.

FIG. 34 is a top view of another preferred structure of applicants' invention.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is sectional view of the structure of FIG. 34.

FIG. 38 is a front view of one of the blocks used in the structure of FIG. 34.

FIG. 39 is a side view of the block of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a top view of a section of the structure of FIG. 34.

FIG. 41 is an side view of the structure of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a substantially circular key which can be used to join adjacent building blocks.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a building block which is adapted to be joined with the key of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a top view of the block of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the block of FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a top view of a structure whose blocks are joined by the key of FIG. 43 and a rod depicted in FIG. 49.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a disk shaped key which may be used to join adjacent building blocks.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a rod which may be used in conjunction with the key of FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a six-sided building block.

FIG. 51 is a top view of the block of FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 is a side view of the block of FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 is a front view of the block of FIG. 50.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a five-sided building block.

FIG. 55 is a top view of the building block of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a side view of the building block of FIG. 54.

FIG. 57 is a front view of the building block of FIG. 54.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a turn-in structure made with the blocks of FIGS. 50 and 54.

FIG. 59 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 58.

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a turn-out structure made with the blocks of FIGS. 50 and 54. FIG. 61 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of another turn-out structure.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of an isosceles straight wall block.

FIG. 64 is a front view of the block of FIG. 63.

FIG. 65 is a side view of the block of FIG. 63.

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of another building block of the invention.

FIG. 67 is an end view of the block shown in FIG. 66.

FIG. 68 is a top view of the block of FIG. 66.

FIG. 69 is a side view of the block of FIG. 66.

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of another building block of this invention.

FIG. 71 is an end view of the block of FIG. 70.

FIG. 72 is a top view of the block of FIG. 70.

FIG. 73 is a side view of the block of FIG. 70.

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of another building block of this invention.

FIG. 75 is an end view of the block of FIG. 74.

FIG. 76 is a top view of the block of FIG. 74.

FIG. 77 is a side view of the block of FIG. 74.

FIG. 78 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of building blocks in an expanded geodesic structure.

FIG. 79 is a front view of a building structure secured by a locking key.

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a rod used in conjunction with the key of FIG. 79.

FIG. 81 is a top view of the key of FIG. 79.

FIG. 82 is a side view of the key of FIG. 79.

FIG. 83 is a side view of the block used in the structure of FIG. 79.

FIG. 84 is an end view of one hexagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 84A is a perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 84.

FIG. 85 is a side view of one hexagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 86 is a top view of one hexagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 87 is an end view of one pentagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 87A is a perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 87.

FIG. 88 is a side view of one pentagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 89 is a top view of one pentagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 90 is a sectional view of three of the building blocks of FIG. 84 joined together.

FIG. 91 is an end view of one kite shaped building block.

FIG. 92 is a side view of one kite shaped building block.

FIG. 93 is a sectional view of one kite shaped building block.

FIG. 94 is an end view of a first preferred block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 95 is a side view of a first preferred block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 96 is a top view of a first preferred block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 97 is an end view of a second preferred building block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 98 is a side view of a second preferred building block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 99 is a top view of a second preferred building block which may be used to construct the structure of FIG. 17.

FIG. 100 is an end view of one pentagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 101 is a perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 100.

FIG. 102 is an end view of one hexagonal building block of this invention.

FIG. 103 is a perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 102.

FIG. 103A is a sectional view of three of the building blocks of FIG. 102 joined together.

FIG. 104 is an end view of the third preferred block which may be used to construct the structure shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 105 is a perspective view of the third preferred block which may be used to construct the structure shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 106 is a top view of one preferred cylindrical structure constructed from the blocks of FIG. 104.

FIG. 106A is a side view of the cylindrical structure shown in FIG. 106.

FIG. 107 is a top view of a straight wall structure constructed from the blocks of FIG. 104.

FIG. 107A is a side view of one preferred embodiment of the vertical wall shown in FIG. 107.

FIG. 108 is a top view of an expanded cylinder constructed from the blocks of FIG. 104.

FIG. 109 is a perspective view of an orthogonal compound of two cubes.

FIG. 110 is a perspective view of a diagonal compound of two cubes.

FIG. 111 is a perspective view of a building block used to assemble a compound of twenty cubes.

FIG. 112 is a perspective view of a building block used to assemble a compound of fifteen cubes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the first portion of this specification, applicant will describe a building block suitable for making a geodesic dome, a process for making such building block and such dome, and the geodesic dome so made. In the remainder of this specification, applicant will describe other building structures.

Referring to FIG. 1, the geodesic dome 10 of this invention is shown. Prior to describing this dome, certain terms will be defined. Each of these terms is also defined, and explained, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,235 of Fuller, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

The term geodesic, as used in this specification, refers to of or pertaining to great circles of a sphere, or of arcs of such circles; as a geodesic line, hence a line which is a great circle or arc thereof; and as a geodesic pattern hence a pattern created by the intersections of great circle lines or arcs, or their cords.

The term spherical, as used in this specification, refers to a structure having the form of a sphere. It includes bodies having the form of a portion of a sphere. It also includes polygonal bodies whose sides are so numerous that they appear to be substantially spherical.

The term icosahedron, as used in this specification, describes a polyhedron of twenty faces.

The term spherical icosahedron refers to an icosahedron which has been "exploded" onto the surface of a sphere. It bears the same relationship to an icosahedron as a spherical triangle bears to a plane triangle. The sides of the faces of the spherical icosahedron are all geodesic lines.

The term equilateral refers to a structure in which all of the sides are approximately equal.

The term modularly divided refers to a structure which is divided into modules, or units.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and in the preferred embodiment illustrated, it will be seen that geodesic dome 10 consists essentially of three building units. The first such unit is substantially hexagonal building unit 12. The second such unit is substantially pentagonal building unit 14. The third such unit is substantially trapezoidal building unit 16. These units are joined to each other to define a substantially spherical shape.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the geodesic dome 10 is comprised of substantially planer areas 9 which, in this embodiment, tend to make dome 10 weaker in the center of each such planar area 9. In another embodiment, described later in this specification, the use of a different building block substantially avoids the presence of such planar areas 9.

Referring again to FIG. 1, one or more of the sides of building units 12, 14, and 16 are curved; see, for example, side 18 of building unit 16. Thus, inasmuch as side 18 is curved, building unit 16 is substantially trapezoidal. By the same token, inasmuch as each of building units 12 and 14 have at least one curved side, they are substantially hexagonal and substantially pentagonal, respectively.

The geodesic dome illustrated in FIG. 1 is similar in some respects to the geodesic dome shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,043,054 of Schmidt, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification. However, the geodesic dome of Schmidt includes an arcuate span of greater than 180 degrees on any vertical cross section thereof. By comparison, the geodesic dome illustrated in FIG. 1 of this specification includes an arcuate span of less than 180 degrees on any vertical cross section thereof. It is preferred that such geodesic dome include an arcuate span of less than 175 degrees on any vertical cross section thereof. In an even more preferred embodiment, such geodesic dome includes an arcuate span of less than about 171 degrees on any vertical cross section thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in one preferred embodiment, geodesic dome 10 includes an arcuate span of from about 168 to about 175 degrees on any vertical cross section there of.

FIG. 2 is a top view of hexagonal building structure 12. Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that hexagonal building unit 12 is comprised of six substantially equilateral building blocks 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 which, preferably, are joined to each other by fasteners inserted through holes 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42.

In one of the preferred embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2, each of building blocks 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 is in the shape of an equilateral triangle, and each of said blocks is substantially congruent with each of the other blocks. Thus, in this embodiment, all of the sides of said triangle are equal.

In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, each of building blocks 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 is in the shape of an isosceles triangle wherein at least one of the sides of such triangle is not equal to the other two sides. In this embodiment, each of the isosceles triangles making up the hexagonal structure 12 are congruent, and each of the isosceles triangles making up the pentagonal structure 14 (see FIG. 1) are also congruent; however, the isosceles triangles making up the hexagonal structure are not congruent to the isosceles triangles making up the pentagonal structure. Thus, in this second preferred embodiment, a building structure is defined in which a first isosceles triangle structure is joined to a second isosceles structure with which it is congruent (within the hexagonal or pentagonal building structure) and, additionally, to a third isosceles triangle structure with which it is not congruent. In this embodiment, the flat areas 9 are avoided, and the resulting structure is substantially spherical and stronger. In this latter embodiment, wherein the building structure 10 is comprised of two different isosceles triangles, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the geodesic beveled equilateral block which constructs a hexagon (FIG. 3) may be proportionated such that the interior faces 23 (see FIG. 2) are preferably slightly longer than the outer faces 25 (see FIG. 2), being at least about two percent greater than said outer faces 25. Thus, for example, if the length of the outer face 25 is proportionally equal to 1.0, then the length of the interior faces 23 will be proportionally equal to from about 1.01 to about 1.03 and, preferably, be about 1.02. The structure so produced will create a peak in the center of the hexagonal building structure 12 (see FIG. 1) which is closer to the surface of the sphere described by this structure.

Furthermore, in this latter embodiment utilizing isosceles-shaped blocks, the isosceles building block which constructs a pentagon (see FIG. 6) may be proportioned such that the interior faces 89 are slightly shorter than the exterior faces 91. If the length of the outer faces 91 (FIG. 2,21) is proportionally equal to 1.0, then the inner faces 89 will be proportionally equal to from about 0.8 to about 0.9 and, preferably, be about 0.86. This will produce a peak in the center of the pentagon which is closer to the surface of the sphere described by this structure.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any of the triangular shapes defined by said building blocks may be subdivided into smaller triangular shapes. Thus, by way of illustration, triangular building block 20 defines a triangle which might be made up of four congruous smaller triangles, and each of said four congruous smaller triangles similarly might be subdivided into four yet smaller triangles, etcetera ad infinitum.

FIG. 3 is an end view of building block 20. Referring to FIG. 3, in the embodiment in which the building block is shaped like an equilateral triangle, each of the angles 44, 46, and 48 are substantially 60 degrees.

However, and referring again to FIG. 3, where the building block 20 is shaped like an isosceles triangle, the angles 44, 46, and 48 will not all be equal.

The building block 20 of FIG. 3 may be used to produce the hexagonal building structure 12 (see FIG. 1). In the embodiment where it is shaped like an isosceles triangle, such a building block 20 will be shaped such that angles 44 and 46 will be equal to each other and will be from about 60.0 to about 60.8 degrees and, preferably, about 60.7 degrees.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, applicant believes that a building structure made from these two dissimilar isosceles triangle shaped blocks possesses substantially more earthquake resistance than do structures made from similar equilateral triangles.

In the remainder of this specification, for simplicity of representation, reference will be made to structures containing said equilateral triangle shapes, it being understood that the comments relating to such structures are equally applicable to the devices containing dissimilar isosceles triangle shapes.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and in one preferred embodiment, building block 20 (and each of the other building blocks 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30) are comprised of at least 90 weight percent of ceramic material. As used in this specification, the term ceramic material refers to a solid material produced from essentially inorganic, non-metallic substances which is preferably formed simultaneously or subsequently matured by the action of heat. See, e.g. A.S.T.M. C-242-87, "Definitions of Terms Relating to Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products."

In one embodiment, the ceramic material is formed by the mixing of organic binder with a moist earth. The mass so mixed is compacted into the desired shape and used without sintering.

By way of illustration, the ceramic material used in the building block 20 may be concrete. As is known to those skilled in the art, the term concrete refers to a composite material that consists essentially of a binding medium within which are embedded particles or fragments of aggregate.

By way of further illustration, the ceramic material used in the building block 20 is a ceramic whiteware, that is a ceramic body which fires to a white or ivory color. Methods of preparing ceramic whiteware bodies are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,428 of Kohut, the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.

In another preferred embodiment, the ceramic material is basic brick. As is known to those skilled in the art, basic brick is a refractory brick which is comprised essentially of basic materials such as lime, magnesia, chrome ore, or dead burned magnesite, which reacts chemically with acid refractories, acid slags, or acid fluxes at high temperatures.

In yet another embodiment, the ceramic material is refractory. As is known to those skilled in the art, a refractory material is an inorganic, nonmetallic material which will withstand high-temperatures; such materials frequently are resistant to abrasion, corrosion, pressure, and rapid changes in temperature. By way of illustration, suitable refractories include alumina, sillimanite, silicon carbide, zirconium silicate, and the like.

By way of further illustration, the ceramic material may be a structural ceramic such as, e.g., silicon nitride, sialon, boron nitride, titanium bromide, etc.

In another embodiment the ceramic material consists essentially of clay or shale.

In yet another embodiment, the ceramic material consists of or comprises glass. As used in this specification, the term glass refers to an inorganic product of fusion which has cooled to a rigid configuration without crystallizing. See, for example, George W. McLellan et al.'s "Glass Engineering Handbook," Third Edition (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1984). By way of illustration, some suitable glasses include sodium silicate glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, and the like. Many other suitable glasses will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, it will be seen that, in one embodiment, triangular window sections 142, 144, and 146 are enclosed by both the walls of the building block and by glass panes 178 and 180. In this embodiment, the building block provides insulation. The enclosed window areas 142, 144, and 146 may be comprised of air. Alternatively, or additionally, they may be comprised of insulating material.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, one may use Plexiglass rather than glass. Alternatively, one may use glass which may be the same ceramic material, or a different ceramic, than is used in the body of the building block. The glass panes may be transparent, opaque, or translucent. The panes may be secured to the building block by adhesive means, a retaining pin, or any other conventional fastening means used to secure glass or plexiglass panes to window frames.

In one embodiment, glass panes 178 and 180 are comprised of plate glass.

In one embodiment, not shown, several layers of glass may be used, in a manner similar to that used on storm windows, to maximize insulating efficiency. The glass layers may be contiguous, or they may be separated by air.

In another embodiment, one may use layers of both glass and plastic material, which may be contiguous with each other.

Substantially any ceramic material may be used in applicant's building block. The use of such materials provides a block with improved resistance to radiation, resistance to heat, high compressive strength, electrical insulation, and the like. Furthermore, inasmuch as such materials may have their appearances improved by processes such as glazing, the geodesic dome 10 produced therefrom may have many desirable aesthetic features.

It is preferred that the ceramic material in building block 20 have a modulus of rupture of at least about 300 pounds per square inch. The modulus of rupture of the ceramic material is tested in accordance with A.S.T.M. Standard Test C-158-84. In one preferred embodiment, the modulus of rupture of the ceramic material is at least about 800 pounds per square inch. In another preferred embodiment, the modulus of rupture of the ceramic material is at least about 25,000 pounds per square inch. In one preferred embodiment, the ceramic material used in building block 10 is comprised of aluminosilicate material derived from clay or shale. These aluminosilicate clay mineral materials are well known to those skilled in the art; see, e.g., the "Spinks Clay Data Book" published by the H.C. Spinks Clay Company of Paris, Tennessee.

Referring again to FIG. 3, it is preferred that at least about 95 weight percent of building block 20 be comprised of ceramic material.

Building block 20 preferably is comprised of at least two orifices 32 and 42 into which fasteners (not shown) may be inserted.

Applicant's building block 20 has a height 54 which decreases from its front face 52 to its rear face (not shown in FIG. 3). Thus, referring to FIG. 3A (which is a cross-sectional view of the front corner 56), it will be seen that front corner 56 is higher than the rear corner (not shown). The angle 60 formed between a line 62 drawn between the front and rear corners and a line perpendicular to the tangent of the front corner 56 is from about 1 to about 12 degrees. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, by varying the number and size of triangular structures in applicant's device, angle 60 may be varied. The greater the number of triangles, and the smaller their size, the smaller is angle 60.

Referring again to FIG. 3A, it will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment depicted, the front and/or rear walls of building block 20 may be recessed to receive a glass pane. Thus, notch 64 in building block 20 is adapted to receive glass pane 66. A similar notch, not shown, may appear in the rear wall(s) of building block 20. The space between the two glass panes may consist of air. Alternatively, it may be evacuated. Alternatively, it may be filled with insulating material such as, e.g., polystyrene foam.

Referring again to FIG. 3, and in yet another preferred embodiment, building block 20 consists essentially of plastic material.

In one aspect of this embodiment, building block 20 consists essentially of thermoplastic material. As is known to those skilled in the art, a thermoplastic material is a high polymer that softens when exposed to heat and returns to its original condition when cooled to room temperature. Natural substances that exhibit this behavior are crude rubber and a number of waxes. However, the term is often applied to synthetics such as polyvinyl chloride, nylons, fluorocarbons, linear polyethylene, polyurethane prepolymer, polystyrene polypropylene, polycarbonates, acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene, and cellulosic and acrylic resins.

In another aspect of this embodiment, building block 20 consists essentially of thermoset plastics. As is known to those skilled in the art, a thermoset material is a high polymer that solidifies or sets irreversibly when heated. This property is usually associated with a crosslinking reaction or radiation, as with proteins, and in the baking of doughs. In many cases it is necessary to add "curing agents", such as organic peroxides or (in the case of rubber) sulfur. Thus, e.g., linear polyethylene can be crosslinked to a thermosetting material by radiation or by chemical reaction. Phenolics, allyls, melamines, urea-formaldehyde resins, alkyds, amino resins, polyesters, epoxides, and silicones are usually considered to be thermosetting, but the term also applies to materials where additive-induced crosslinking is possible (e.g., natural rubber).

In another aspect of this embodiment, the building block 20 consists essentially of foamed plastic such as e.g., polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, polyethylene foam, and the like.

By way of further illustration and not limitation, one may use one or more of the plastic materials to construct the building block(s) of this invention which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,360,264, 5,306,098, 5,259,803, 5,215,490, 5,069,647, 5,057,049 4,909,718, 4,887,403, 4,808,140, 4,804,350, 4,708,684, 4,699,601, 4,676,762, 4,671,039, 4,633,639, 4,602,908, 4,575,984, 4,556,394, 4,475,326, 4,341,050, 4,308,698, 4,288,960, 4,374,221, 4,258,522, 4,159,602, 4,077,154, 4,075,808, 4,055,912, 3,949,534, 3,854,237, 3,668,832, 3,626,632, 3,468,081, and the like. The disclosure of these United States patents is hereby incorporated into this specification.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the block 20 of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that face 52 is the front of block 20, face 68 is the rear of the block, dotted line 70 represents the top of block 20, and dotted lines 72 and 74 represent, respectively, the left and right corners of block 20.

Referring again to FIGS. 3, 3A, and 4, it will be seen that applicant's building block 20 is both wedge-shaped and beveled. In addition to height 54 decreasing from front face 52 to rear face 68 (see FIG. 4), the length 76 of face 52 is greater than the length 78 of face 68.

FIG. 4 illustrates one of the three sides of building block 20. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that each side of building block 20 is in the shape of a four-sided figure with two arcuate surfaces 52 and 68 of different lengths, and two straight surfaces 80 and 82 which, preferably, have substantially the same length.

FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, being a sectional view of wall 80, illustrating notch 64 and orifice 42. The thickness 82 of block 20 may vary, depending upon the type of ceramic material used, its strength, and other factors well known to those skilled in the art. In general, thickness 82 will be at least about 8 percent of the length 76 of block 20.

FIG. 6 is a top view of pentagonal building structure 14. Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that pentagonal building unit 14 is comprised of five substantially isosceles building blocks 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92 which, preferably, are joined to each other by fasteners inserted through holes 94, 96, 98, 100, and 102.

Each of building blocks 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92 is in the shape of an isosceles triangle, and each of said blocks is substantially congruent with each of the other blocks; however, as indicated earlier in this specification, the isosceles triangular blocks of the pentagonal building unit 14 are not congruent with the isosceles triangular blocks of the hexagonal building unit 12. Thus, only two of the sides of said triangle are equal.

When the building blocks in the hexagonal building 12 are substantially equilateral, and referring to FIG. 7, the sides of the triangle of the pentagonal building blocks form base angles 104 and 106 of about 54 degrees and an apex angle 108 of about 72 degrees. When, however, the building blocks in the hexagonal building structure 12 are isosceles shaped, then the base angles 104 and 106 are between 54.5 and 54.7 degrees.

In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, the sides of the building block 84 (and/or of block 20, and/or of any other block used in structure 10) contain a designation which will help one using the block to construct a structure to determine how to align such a block with an adjacent block. By designating the abutting faces of all blocks so that adjacent faces share a common designation, it is easy for children to assemble blocks in a systematic manner. For example, if the faces of adjacent blocks share a common color, then a child simply has to match the color to color. This designation may be a number, an alphabetical letter, a picture, a shape, or any other unique identical, symbol and/or color. This designation may also indicate direction, e.g., an arrow, North & South, left & right, in and out, etc. The short sides (interior edges) of the isosceles blocks which comprise the pentagon preferably share a unique designation (see, e.g., designation 89, FIG. 6). The interior edges of the block which comprise the hexagon preferably share a unique designation (see element 23, FIG. 2). The exterior edges of the pentagonal isosceles block (see FIG. 6, element 87) and the exterior edges of the hexagonal isosceles block (see FIG. 2, element 25) preferably share a unique designation. In addition, the outer and inner faces of each block may share common designations (see FIG. 13, elements 151 and 153). For example, the outer faces may all be black, and the inner faces may all be white. Concentric congruent domes and cylinders may be attached to one another wherein the outer face (see FIG. 13, element 151) of the smaller dome or cylinder shares a designation with the inner face (see FIG. 13, element 153) of the larger dome or cylinder.

Referring again to FIG. 7, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any of the triangular shapes defined by said building blocks may be subdivided into smaller triangular shapes. Thus, by way of illustration, triangular building block 84 defines a triangle which might be made up of four congruous smaller triangles, and each of said four congruous smaller triangles similarly might be subdivided into four yet smaller triangles, etcetera ad infinitum.

In one embodiment, building block 84 (and each of the other building blocks 86, 88, 90, and 92) are comprised of at least 90 weight percent of the ceramic material described elsewhere in this specification; in another embodiment, such building block(s) are comprised of at least 90 weight percent of the plastic material described above. Such building block is also preferably comprised of at least two orifices 94 and 96 into which fasteners (not shown) may be inserted.

Applicant's building block 84 has a height 110 which decreases from its front face 112 to its rear face (not shown in FIG. 7). Thus, referring to FIG. 7A (which is a cross-sectional view of the front corner 114), it will be seen that front corner 114 is higher than the rear corner (not shown). The angle 116 formed between a line 118 drawn between the front and rear corners and a line perpendicular to the tangent of the front corner 114 is from about 1 to about 12 degrees. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, by varying the number and size of triangular structures in applicant's device, angle 60 may be varied. The greater the number of triangles, and the smaller their size, the smaller is angle 116.

Referring again to FIG. 7A, it will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment depicted, the front and/or rear walls of building block 84 may be recessed to receive a glass pane. Thus, notch 120 in building block 84 is adapted to receive glass pane 122. A similar notch, not shown, may appear in the rear wall(s) of building block 84. The space between the two glass panes may consist of air. Alternatively, it may be evacuated. Alternatively, it may be filled with insulating material such as, e.g., polystyrene foam.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the block 84 of FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that face 112 is the front of block 84, face 125 is the rear of the block, dotted line 128 represents the top of block 84, and dotted lines 130 and 132 represent, respectively, the left and right corners of block 84.

Referring again to FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, and 8, 4, it will be seen that applicant's building block 84 is both wedge-shaped and beveled. In addition to height 110 decreasing from front face 112 to rear face 125 (see FIG. 8), the length 124 of face 112 is greater than the length 125 of face 125.

FIG. 8 illustrates one of the three sides of building block 84. It will be apparent to those in the art that each side of building block 84 is in the shape of a four-sided figure with two arcuate surfaces 112 and 125 of different lengths, and two straight surfaces 134 and 136 which, preferably, have substantially the same length.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of wall 136, illustrating notch 120 and orifice 96. The thickness 138 of block 84 may vary, depending upon the type of ceramic material used, its strength, and other factors well known to those skilled in the art. In general, thickness 138 will be at least about 8 percent of the length 124 of block 84.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of building section 12, illustrating how building blocks 24, 26,and 28 may be joined to each other. Referring to FIG. 10, it will be seen that fasteners 139 and 140 may be inserted through orifices 36 and 38 (not shown in FIG. 2) to join the blocks together.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the fasteners used are nuts and bolts. In another embodiment, not shown, the fastener used is one which will not extend into the triangular window sections 142, 144, and 146 defined by the building blocks. By way of illustration and not limitation, one such suitable fastener is a clevis pin. Alternatively, or additionally, one may use adhesive, a shim, and the like.

In the preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12, each of the building blocks (such as building blocks 24, 26, and 28) is preferably sheathed in a gasket material. Thus, gasket material 148 sheaths the outer faces of building block 28, whereas gasket materials 150 and 152 sheath build ing blocks 26 and 24, respectively.

In this embodiment, the gasket material tends to prevent crack propagation when the building block is subjected to a severe shock. Any of the materials known to inhibit crack propagation of ceramic material may be used as the gasket material. Thus, by way of illustration, one may use rubber, an elastomer, red rubber, silicone, tan vegetable fiber, neoprene, fiberfax, fiberglass, polyvinylchloride, latex, soft metal, and the like.

In general, the thickness of the gasket material will range from about 0.016 to about 1.0 inches. The thickness of the gasket material will generally be from 0.05 to about 10 percent of the thickness of the wall of the building block.

The gasket material, although it may be either organic or inorganic, will preferably have a different chemical composition and a different Young's modulus than the ceramic material in the building block.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is preferred that gasket material contact the entire surface of each of the adjacent faces so that there is substantially no direct contact between the ceramic surfaces of adjacent blocks.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, fastener 140 is also sheathed by a gasket material similar to that described above so that there is preferably no direct contact between fastener 140 and the ceramic material of the building block.

FIG. 12 illustrates another means of joining adjacent building blocks. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in this Figure, each of building blocks 154, 156, and 158 is substantially solid. Each face of these substantially solid building blocks is comprised of a substantially triangular orifice; when two of such orifices are placed base to base, they define a substantially diamond-shaped figure.

Referring again to FIG. 12, it can be seen that diamond shaped plug 160, 162, and 164 may be placed into the triangular orifices, such as orifices 166, 168, and 170. Once these plugs have been placed into the orifice, the blocks may be joined to adjacent blocks by lining up the diamond-shaped plug so that if fits into the orifice of the adjacent block. In this embodiment, in addition to joining adjacent blocks together, the diamond-shaped plugs also help to align them.

FIG. 13 is a side view of block 156, showing substantially triangular shaped orifice 168. FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken across lines 14--14 between adjacent blocks 156 and 158.

FIG. 15 illustrates the shape of the preferred plug 168 which may be used in the embodiment of FIG. 12. In this embodiment, it is preferred that plug 168 define a four-sided Figure containing two substantially acute angles 171 and 172 of about 60 degrees and two substantially obtuse angles 174 and 176 of about 120 degrees.

FIG. 16 is a side view of plug 168.

FIG. 90 illustrates another means of joining adjacent building blocks. In the preferred embodiment, each of the building blocks 520, 530, 540, 550, and 560 is substantially solid. Each of these substantially solid building blocks is comprised of a substantially tapered zig-zag of alternating orifice 522 and plug 524 combination.

Referring to FIG. 90, it can be seen that the tapered zig-zig orifice 522 and plug 524 combination alternates between the two abutting faces of each block. The blocks are joined together by the interlocking nature of the tapered zig-zag. The plug inserts into the orifice along the abutting faces of the two adjacent blocks, such that no independent key is required. In this embodiment, in addition to joining adjacent blocks together, the tapered zig-zag also helps to align them. This interlocking feature is achieved in a mold without undercuts, and can be made with existing two piece machines as are commonly used by industry. These machines include plastic injection machines, ceramic ram press machines, concrete block machines, brick machines, and the like. The blocks described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,194 and 5,329,737 can not be made on these simple two piece mold machines commonly used by industry, but require special equipment.

Referring to FIGS. 94 and 97, the flat top block 540 and the parallelogram block 550 are used to construct a right circular cylinder, which curves in two dimensions, as opposed to a sphere which curves in three dimensions. Thus only two sides of the flat top and parallelogram require the orifice 522 and the plug 524 to be tapered. The non-tapered or non-beveled side thus uses a non-tapered, or straight through, orifice 532 and a non-tapered, or straight through, plug 534.

Building blocks 20 and 84, and other similarly shaped blocks, may be made by conventional ceramic forming processes. Thus, for example, one may use the processes described in, e.g., James S. Reed's "Introduction to the Principles of Ceramic Processing," (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1988). Thus, one may use pressing (see pages 329-353), plastic forming (see pages 255-379), casting (see pages 380-402), and the like.

In one preferred embodiment, the building block 20 and/or 84 is made by ram-pressing. As is known to those skilled in the art, ram pressing is a process for plastic forming of ceramic ware by pressing a bat of the prepared body between two porous plates or mold units; after the pressing operation, air may be blown through the porous mold parts to release the shaped ware. See, e.g., A. E. Dodd's "Dictionary of Ceramics, Potter, Glass . . . ," Philosophical Library, Inc., New York, 1964).

In one embodiment, the building block is made with a CINVA-Ram block press using a mixture of soil, sand, silt, clay, and cement; the press has a mold box in which a hand-operated piston compresses a slightly moistened mixture of soil and cement or lime. This process is described in, e.g., a publication entitled "Making Building Blocks with the CINVA-Ram Block Press" (Volunteers in Technical Assistance, Mt. Ranier, Maryland, 1977). After the green body is formed by this process, it may be sintered.

In another embodiment, the building block is made by slip casting in a plaster mold, and the green body thus formed is sintered by conventional means.

In one preferred embodiment, the building block 20 and/or the building block 84 has a porosity of at least about 20 volume percent. Any conventional means may be used to produce a ceramic article with this porosity.

Thus, by way of illustration, one may prepare a green body which contains at least about 1 weight percent of pore-forming body which, upon sintering, will burn out of the ceramic. Thus, one may use micro-balloons, sawdust, shredded rubber, and any other organic material which will burn out during sintering and create the desired pore structure.

One advantage of applicant's building block is that it may be produced in many different locations from commonly available materials. Thus, anywhere where clay and sand is available, one may shape the building block, sinter it with a solar kiln, and build one's desired structure. If, for example, one were on the moon (where the solar wind is quite strong and clay is readily available), one can produce a ceramic building from commonly available material.

Referring to FIG. 1, hexagonal building section 12 may be produced by joining together six of the triangular building blocks 20 (see FIG. 10). Pentagonal building section 14 may be produced by joining together five of the triangular building blocks 84 (see FIG. 6). Substantially trapezoidal building unit 16 may be produced by joining together three of the triangular building blocks 20.

Referring to FIG. 90, it can be seen that the tapered zig-zig orifice 522 and plug 524 combination alternates between the two abutting faces of each block. The blocks are joined together by the interlocking nature of the tapered zig-zag. The plug inserts into the orifice along the abutting faces of the two adjacent blocks, such that no independent key is required. In this embodiment, in addition to joining adjacent blocks together, the tapered zig-zag also helps to align them. This interlocking feature is achieved in a mold without undercuts, and can be made with existing two piece machines as are commonly used by industry. These machines include plastic injection machines, ceramic ram press machines, concrete block machines, brick machines, and the like. The blocks described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,194 and 5,329,737 can not be made on these simple two piece mold machines commonly used by industry, but require special equipment.

FIG. 100 illustrates another means of joining adjacent building blocks. In the preferred embodiment, each of the building blocks 600 is substantially solid. Each of these substantially solid building blocks is comprised of a substantially tapered zig-zag of alternating orifice 610 and plug 620 combination.

FIG. 101 illustrates how orifice 610 and plug 620 alternate both from one corner of the triangle to the other, about the center of the edge 630, and from the inside triangular face of the block 640 to the outside triangular face of the block 650 (not shown) about the center of the abutting face of the block 660.

Referring to FIG. 101, it can be seen that three diamond-shaped planar surfaces 670 are formed at the centers 660 of the abutting edges of the block 600. Said diamond-shaped planar surfaces 670 are each counterclockwise to each of the centers 630 of each of the abutting edges of block 600. Alternately, it can be seen that three diamond-shaped planar surfaces 680 are formed at the centers of the abutting edges of the block 660. Said diamond-shaped planar surfaces 680 are each clockwise to each of the centers 630 of each of the abutting edges of block 600. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the diamond-shaped surfaces 670 and 680 provide abutting surfaces between adjacent blocks in a spherical structure. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said diamond-shaped surfaces effectively locate blocks in the tangential plane of the spherical surface so described, and prevent said blocks from sliding either towards or away from the center of said spherical surface. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said diamond-shaped surfaces provide a supporting plane, and facilitate assembly of a spherical or dome-shaped structure. Alternately, the diamond-shaped surfaces 670 and 680 of two adjacent blocks may be separated by a given distance to allow for a tensile member to be inserted along the linear direction defined by the intersection of abutting faces 622 and inverse mirror planes 660. This separation distance can be filled with either gasket material or with conventional wet mortar.

FIG. 102 illustrates another means of joining adjacent building blocks. In the preferred embodiment, each of the building blocks 690 is substantially solid. Each of these substantially solid building blocks is comprised of a substantially tapered zig-zag of alternating orifice 700 and plug 710 combination.

FIG. 103 illustrates how orifice 700 and plug 710 alternate both from one corner of the triangle to the other, about the center of the edge 720, and from the inside triangular face of the block 730 to the outside triangular face of the block 740 (not shown) about the center of the abutting face of the block 750.

Referring to FIG. 103, it can be seen that three diamond-shaped planar surfaces 760 are formed at the centers 720 of the abutting edges of the block 690. Said diamond-shaped planar surfaces 760 are each counterclockwise to each of the centers 720 of each of the abutting edges of block 690. Alternately, it can be seen that three diamond-shaped planar surfaces 770 are formed at the centers of the abutting edges of the block 750. Said diamond-shaped planar surfaces 770 are each clockwise to each of the centers 720 of each of the abutting edges of block 690. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the diamond-shaped surfaces 760 and 770 provide abutting surfaces between adjacent blocks in a spherical structure. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said diamond-shaped surfaces effectively locate blocks in the tangential plane of the spherical surface so described, and prevent said blocks from sliding either towards or away from the center of said spherical surface. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said diamond-shaped surfaces provide a supporting plane, and facilitate assembly of a spherical or dome-shaped structure. Alternately, the diamond-shaped surfaces 670 and 680 of two adjacent blocks may be separated by a given distance to allow for a tensile member to be inserted along the linear direction defined by the intersection of abutting faces 622 and inverse mirror planes 660. This separation distance can be filled with either gasket material or with conventional wet mortar.

Referring to FIG. 103A, it can be seen that the tapered zig-zig orifice 700 and plug 710 combination alternates between the two abutting faces of each block. The blocks are joined together by the interlocking nature of the tapered zig-zag. The plug inserts into the orifice along the abutting faces of the two adjacent blocks, such that no independent key is required. In this embodiment, in addition to joining adjacent blocks together, the diamond shaped surface 760 and the diamond-shaped surface 770 also help to align them. This interlocking feature is achieved in a mold without undercuts, and can be made with existing two piece machines as are commonly used by industry. These machines include plastic injection machines, ceramic ram press machines, concrete block machines, brick machines, and the like. The blocks described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,194 and 5,329,737 can not be made on these simple two piece mold machines commonly used by industry, but require special equipment.

Referring to FIGS. 104 and 105, the flat top block 780 is used to construct a right circular cylinder, which curves in two dimensions, as opposed to a sphere which curves in three dimensions. Thus only two sides of the flat top require the orifice 790 and the plug 800 to be tapered. The non-tapered or non-beveled side thus uses a non-tapered, or straight through, orifice 810 and a non-tapered, or straight through, plug 820.

Referring to FIG. 105, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that orifices 790 and plugs 800 alternate about both the center of the edge 822 and the center of the abutting face 824 of block 780. This feature allows the blocks to be assembled in the manners described below.

Referring to FIGS. 106 and 106A, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the flat top block 780 can be used to construct a right circular cylinder 830 or a vaulted arch. Each of said embodiments can be built without the use of a parallelogram block 204. Each of said embodiments can also be built without the use of an independent key 168.

Referring to FIGS. 107 and 107A, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the flat top block 780 can be used to construct a straight wall 840. Said embodiment can be built without the use of a parallelogram block 204. Said embodiment can also be built without the use of an independent key 168.

Referring to FIG. 107B, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the flat top block can be used to build a wall slightly inclined from the vertical 850. Said embodiment can be built without the use of a parallelogram block 204. Said embodiment can also be built without the use of an independent key 168.

Referring to FIG. 23, the flat top block can be seen to incline at an angle 217. That is, the block is slightly inclined from the vertical by an angle of 90 degrees minus (angle 217). As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this inclination, or leaning, is advantageous for retaining walls 850 and the like. Greater stability is imparted to the wall 850 for the purpose of supporting, retaining or otherwise holding up a load, such as, e.g., earth.

Construction of Geodesic Dome 10

Referring to FIG. 1, a geodesic dome 10 may be constructed by placing a pentagonal building unit 14 at its apex, by surrounding said building unit 14 with five building unit's 12 and joining them thereto to form a second layer of structure; by joining five pentagonal building units 14 to the bases of the hexagonal building units 12 to form a partial third layer of structure; by inserting six hexagonal building units 12, into the interstices formed between the second layer of building units 12 and the third layer of building units 14 and joining said units; and by thereafter repeating the process until the desired domed shape is formed.

In another embodiment, the dome 10 may be built from the ground up instead of from the top down. In this latter embodiment, a scaffold is not needed to produce dome 10 inasmuch as each layer of structure is supported by the prior layer of structure and by the fasteners used to secure the building blocks together.

When one has produced a geodesic dome with the desired degree of curvature, one may place building units 16 into the interstices formed by the penultimate layer of building units 12 and the last layer of building units 14. Thereafter, one may join the last layer of structure, which now consists of alternating units 14 and 16, to a base (not shown).

By way of further illustration, and referring to FIG. 1, the retaining ring 19 which serves as a base and foundation for the dome 10 may be divided into two designations: those which are contiguous with the exterior edge 91 of the pentagonal isosceles block (also see FIG. 6 and element 91), and those which are contiguous with the interior edge 23 of the hexagonal isosceles block (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the outer and inner faces of the retaining ring 19 may be contiguous with the outer and inner faces of other blocks; see, e.g., elements 151 and 153 of FIG. 13. The retaining ring 19 may also be contiguous with top and bottom structures such as, e.g., those surfaces which provide a base for the dome to be constructed on those which are common to the exterior edge of the isosceles block (FIG. 6, element 91) and those which are common to the interior edges of the isosceles block (FIG. 2, element 23).

Referring again to FIG. 1, any conventional means may be used to join the dome 10 to the base 19. In one embodiment, not shown, the base 19 is provided with metal brackets (not shown) containing an orifice, and a fastener is inserted through this orifice and the appropriate orifice of the building unit(s). One may sheath the fastener used in this embodiment so that it does not contact the ceramic material.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, if one or more of building blocks 20 and/or 84 break, they may be detached from their adjacent building blocks by removing the fastener(s) therebetween, a new building block may then be inserted in place of the broken block(s), and the new building block(s) may then be fastened to the adjacent blocks. This feature permits the relatively inexpensive repair of a wall comprising said building blocks.

In one preferred embodiment, not shown, an underwater domed structure is provided. Because of the great compressive strength of such a structure, one need not provide an atmosphere at a pressure of substantially greater than 760 millimeters of mercury within the domed structure.

The underwater domed structure of this embodiment may be provided by the means described above, with one exception: one preferably continues the construction of dome 12 until the dome includes an arcuate span of from about 170 to about 360 degrees.

In one embodiment of this invention, a geodesic dome 10 may be used to store radioactive waste. Because dome 10 is comprised of ceramic material which is substantially inert, and which tends to block the propagation of radioactive emissions, it is especially suitable for this purpose.

In one embodiment, not shown, a hexagonally-shaped ceramic structure comprised of at least 90 weight percent of ceramic material is provided. This structure may contain a hollow center; alternatively, it may be a solid structure. In this embodiment, the hexagonally-shaped structure may be used to construct a relatively small structure such as, e.g., a small kiln.

In yet another embodiment, not sho