Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a building block and methods of assembling and using the same.

Background to the invention

Constructing walls can be done in a number of ways. For many years, walls have been constructed from building blocks, such as rectilinear building blocks, typically substantially cuboid, such as bricks. Typically, a first layer of bricks is laid down on a surface on which the wall is to be formed. A second layer of bricks is then laid down on the first layer of bricks, each brick in the second layer typically offset from the bricks of the first layer such that each bring in the second layer is supported by at least two of the bricks in the first layer. Multiple layers of bricks may be built up until the wall is of the desired height. It is common to use a binder (such as concrete) to bind each brick to adjacent bricks.

Walls built in this way are desirably strong and resilient. However, the mass of bricks required to build a wall may be significant. It is also time consuming, meaning it can take hours or even longer to build a wall. More recently, building blocks have been provided where each building block is initially disassembled, and only arranged to be assembled into a block structure at the time and place of assembly. The building blocks are arranged to be affixed to adjacent building blocks directly.

An example of such a building block is shown in WO 2005/012663.

It is in this context that the present disclosure has been devised.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building block configurable between a collapsed configuration and an assembled configuration. The building block comprises: four side walls including a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall. Each side wall defines an outer surface to face outwardly when the building block is in the assembled configuration. The building block defines a first hinge axis about which the first side wall is hingedly connected to the second side wall, a second hinge axis about which the second side wall is hingedly connected to the third side wall, a third hinge axis about which the third side wall is hingedly connected to the fourth side wall, and a fourth hinge axis about which the fourth side wall is hingedly connected to the first side wall. The first hinge axis is defined inward of the outer surface of the first side wall, in a direction normal to the outer surface of the first side wall. The third hinge axis is defined inward of the outer surface of the third side wall, in the direction normal to the outer surface of the third side wall.

Thus, there is provided a building block which can be quickly moved from the collapsed configuration into the assembled configuration by movement of the side walls about the hinge axes. Furthermore, given that the side walls have a depth, by providing at least the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis inward of the outer surface of the respective first and third side walls, the building block can be provided in a particularly compact arrangement when in the collapsed configuration.

In the assembled configuration, it will be understood that the building block may have a substantially rectilinear footprint, with each side being defined by one of the four side walls. Specifically, in the assembled configuration, the first side wall is typically provided at an angle of 90 degrees to the second side wall and to the fourth side wall and is substantially parallel to the third side wall.

Conversely, in the collapsed configuration, the building block may have a footprint having a surface area less than in the assembled configuration, meaning that the building blocks take up less space. As a result, ease and cost of transportation is improved. In some examples, in the collapsed configuration, the first side wall and the fourth side wall together overlie the second side wall and the third side wall. In the collapsed configuration, the angle between the first side wall and the second side wall, and between the third side wall and the fourth side wall may be 0 degrees, such that the second side wall can be considered to be folded over the back of the first side wall, and the third side wall can be considered to be folded over the back of the fourth side wall. The angle between the second side wall and the third side wall, and between the fourth side wall and the first side wall, may be 180 degrees, such that the third side wall effectively extends from the second side wall in the same direction, and the fourth side wall effectively extends from the first side wall.

It will be understood that the angles may not be as pronounced as 0 degrees and 180 degrees, but may instead be between 0 degrees and 90 degrees and between 90 degrees and 180 degrees respectively.

The outer surface of the side wall may be referred to as a front face of the side wall. In other words, the outer surface is the surface which defines a side face of the building block when the building block is assembled. Typically, a building block has four outer surfaces: a front side face, a back side face, a left side face and a right side face. Although some building blocks may have a top side face and a bottom face, each extending across the whole top or bottom of the building block, this is not essential.

As well as an outer surface, the side wall typically also includes an inner surface. In some examples, the inner surface is the surface opposite to the outer surface on the panel defining the outer surface of the side wall. In other examples, the side wall may comprise a first panel defining the outer surface and a second panel, spaced from and substantially parallel to the first panel, defining the inner surface. The inner surface typically at least partially bounds an internal space of the building block, bounded by each of the four side walls. It will be understood that by being inward of the outer surface, an element (such as the first hinge axis or the second hinge axis) is provided nearer to an internal region of the building block, the internal region bounded by each of the four side walls, than a distance from the outer surface to the internal region of the building block. As a result, it is possible to collapse the building block by folding onto each other the side walls connected about the first hinge axis.

By the term “hingedly connected”, it will be understood that the side walls hingedly connected to each other can be rotated relative to each other about the attendant hinge axis.

The second hinge axis may be defined outward of the first hinge axis, in the direction normal to the outer surface of the second side wall. The fourth hinge axis may be defined outward of the third hinge axis, in the direction normal to the outer surface of the fourth side wall. Thus, it may only be the first hinge axis and the third hinge axis that are defined at an inner portion of the side walls. In this way, it may be that overrotation of the second and fourth hinge axes can be restricted by interference of the portions of the attendant side walls inward of the second and fourth hinge axes. As a result, during movement of the side walls to reconfigure the building block from the collapsed configuration to the assembled configuration, the positioning of the second and fourth hinge axes can restrict further movement of the building block through and beyond the position associated with the assembled configuration. A similar effect is also provided by the positioning of the first and third hinge axes being inward of the outer surfaces of the attendant side walls, ensuring that interference of the portions of the attendant side walls outward of the first and third hinge axes restricts movement of the building block through and beyond the position associated with the assembled configuration.

The second hinge axis may be defined at or outward of the outer surface of the second side wall. The fourth hinge axis may be defined at or outward of the outer surface of the fourth side wall. The second hinge axis may be defined at or outward of the outer surface of the third side wall. The fourth hinge axis may be defined at or outward of the outer surface of the first side wall. Thus, none of the side walls adjacent to the second and fourth hinge axes can interfere with movement of the building block from the assembled configuration to the collapsed configuration. The first hinge axis may be defined at or inward of an innermost surface of the first side wall. The third hinge axis may be defined at or inward of an innermost surface of the third side wall. The first hinge axis may be defined at or inward of an innermost surface of the second side wall. The third hinge axis may be defined at or inward of an innermost surface of the fourth side wall. Thus, none of the side walls adjacent to the first and third hinge axes can interfere with movement of the building block from the assembled configuration to the collapsed configuration.

It may be that the outer surface of the first side wall extends continuously across all of a first side of the building block when the building block is in the assembled configuration. In other words, no portion of the second side wall, or the third side wall, or the fourth side wall provides any of the first side of the building block when the building block is in the assembled configuration. Thus, there is provided a continuous surface for the first side of the assembled building block, enhancing structural integrity of the building block. Similarly, it may be that the outer surface of the third side wall extends continuously across all of a third side of the building block when the building block is in the assembled configuration. In other words, no portion of the second side wall, or the fourth side wall, or the first side wall provides any of the third side of the building block when the building block is in the assembled configuration. Thus, there is provided a continuous surface for the third side of the assembled building block, enhancing structural integrity of the building block.

It may be that a length of the first side of the building block, defined by the first side wall, and between the first hinge axis and the fourth hinge axis, is greater than a length of a second (or fourth) side of the building block, defined at least partially by the second (or fourth) side wall, between the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis (or between the third hinge axis and the fourth hinge axis). It may be that a length of the third side of the building block, defined by the third side wall, and between the second hinge axis and the third hinge axis, is greater than a length of a second (or fourth) side of the building block, defined at least partially by the second (or fourth) side wall, between the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis (or between the third hinge axis and the fourth hinge axis). In other words, the long side of the building block has a continuous, unbroken surface.

It will be understood that the innermost surface of a side wall may be a substantially planar surface extending across the broadest face of the side wall, at the inner side. In other examples, the innermost surface may be the surface of the side wall nearest the internal region of the building block. The first and third hinge axes may be defined at or inward of the innermost surface of the respective attendant side walls if they are as close or closer to the internal region of the building block in the direction defined by the surface normal of the outer surface of the respective attendant side walls.

The first side wall may be provided with a first hinge portion at a first end. The first hinge portion may be configured to cooperate with a second hinge portion of the second side wall, to define the first hinge axis hingedly connecting the first side wall to the second side wall. The first side wall may be further provided with a third hinge portion at the first end. The third hinge portion and the first hinge portion may together define an opening for receiving the second hinge portion therebetween. Thus, the first hinge portion, the second hinge portion and the third hinge portion may be provided in an interdigitated arrangement. In other examples, it will be understood that the first hinge portion and the third hinge portion may be provided on the second side wall, and the second hinge portion may be provided at the first end of the first side wall. It may be that the third side wall is provided with a fourth hinge portion at a first end. The fourth hinge portion may be configured to cooperate with a fifth hinge portion of the fourth side wall, to define the third hinge axis hingedly connecting the third side wall to the fourth side wall. The third side wall may be further provided with a sixth hinge portion at the first end. The sixth hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion may together define an opening for receiving the fifth hinge portion therebetween. In other examples, it will be understood that the fourth hinge portion and the sixth hinge portion may be provided on the fourth side wall, and the fifth hinge portion may be provided at the first end of the third side wall.

Each side wall may be provided with a first hinge portion at a first end and a second hinge portion at a second end, opposite the first end. The first hinge portion may be configured to cooperate with the second hinge portion of a first further side wall. The second hinge portion may be configured to cooperate with the first hinge portion of a second further side wall. Thus, the respective hinge axes hingedly connecting the side wall to the first further side wall and separately to the second further side wall can be defined by the cooperating first and second hinge portions.

It will be understood that the first hinge portion typically completely defines a first axial region of a hinge channel along a hinge axis, and the second hinge portion typically completely defines a second axial region of a hinge channel along a hinge axis, with the first region of a given side wall and the second region of an adjacent side wall cooperating to form the hinge channel along a given hinge axis. When an elongate member, such as a hinge pin is provided in the hinge channel, the attendant side walls are hingedly connected about the hinge axis. The hinge portions may be configured to cooperate between an adjacent side wall to form an interdigitated arrangement of hinge portions from each of the adjacent pair of side walls.

Each side wall may be further provided with a third hinge portion at the first end and a fourth hinge portion at the second end. The third hinge portion may mirror the second hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion may mirror the first hinge portion. In other words, where the first hinge portion is provided outward of the second hinge portion, in a direction normal to the outer surface of the side wall, the third hinge portion may be provided inward of the first hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion may be provided outward of the second hinge portion. Where the second hinge portion is provided outward of the first hinge portion, in a direction normal to the outer surface of the side wall, the third hinge portion may be provided outward of the first hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion may be provided inward of the second hinge portion. Thus, it may be that the same side walls can be used as any of the side walls of the building block. In other examples, it may be that the additional hinge portion at an end of the side wall can be configured to cooperate to form a channel including a hinge portion on an adjacent side wall in the assembled configuration. An elongate member can be inserted into the formed channel to retain the building block in the assembled configuration.

A first side face of the first side wall may extend inward from the front surface of the first side wall at an acute angle. The first side face of the first side wall may extend inward from the front surface of the first side wall towards the first hinge axis at the acute angle. The first side face may face an adjacent side face of the second side wall. Thus, the front surface at least partially covers the first hinge axis in the direction normal to the outer surface of the first side wall. In this way, the first hinge axis can be at least partially protected from damage and environmental exposure when the building block is exposed. It may be that both side faces of each side wall may extend at an acute angle relative to the front surface of the side wall. It may be that both side faces of each side wall may extend towards the attendant hinge axes at an acute angle, such that the front surface of each side wall at least partially covers the attendant hinge axes. The angle may be 45 degrees. Thus, the attendant hinge axes are substantially completely hidden from environmental exposure. Furthermore, where both adjacent side faces at a hinge axis have an angle of 45 degrees with the front surface, the two side faces will abut in the assembled configuration to substantially prevent further movement of the side walls moving from the collapsed configuration towards the assembled configuration, beyond the assembled configuration. Typically, in the assembled configuration, the angle between adjacent side walls is 90 degrees.

The building block may further comprise a locking mechanism to retain the building block in the assembled configuration. Thus, the building block may be prevented from moving out of the assembled configuration when being used for building a structure.

In one example, the locking mechanism may comprise an elongate member provided in at least one of the third hinge portion and the fourth hinge portion of at least one side wall to substantially prevent movement of the building block out of the assembled configuration. The elongate member may be a pin. The elongate member may be configured to extend substantially the whole height of the side wall. In some examples, only one elongate member may be provided.

The locking mechanism may comprise a resiliency deformable protrusion provided on at least one of the side walls for engaging with a portion of another one of the side walls as the building block is moved into or out of the assembled configuration. The resiliency deformable protrusion and the portion to be engaged may together be arranged to cause the building block to be urged to the assembled configuration by way of the resiliency deformable protrusion being resiliency deformed and acting to revert to an undeformed position. The resiliency deformable protrusion may be a plurality of resiliency deformable protrusions on at least one side wall. At least one resiliency deformable protrusion may be provided on a first hinge portion of the first side wall.

An internal cavity defined in an end face of the side wall by the hinge portions may be filled with one or more internal structures, such as internal ribbing. Thus, it is difficult for fingers to become trapped in the internal cavities during movement from the collapsed configuration to the assembled configuration.

At least one of the hinge axes may be provided by a living hinge. It will be understood that a living hinge (sometimes called an integral hinge) is a thin flexible hinge integrally formed from the same material as the two pieces thereby connected, such as the two adjacent end portions of the hingedly connected side walls. It may be that fewer than four hinge axes are provided by living hinges. It may be that exactly two hinge axes are provided by living hinges. In other words, it may be that no fewer than two and no more than two of the hinge axes are provided by living hinges. For example, the first hinge axis and the third hinge axis may be provided by living hinges. The second hinge axis and the fourth hinge axis may be provided by living hinges. Thus, the four side walls of the building blocks may be manufactured from two parts. Where the four side wall of the building blocks are manufactured from two parts, it may be that each of the two parts are identical. In other words, two identical parts can be used to form a complete building block.

At least one side wall may be provided with one or more protrusions extending from one of an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one side wall may have one or more locating openings defined at the other of the upper end and the lower end thereof, the locating openings to receive the one or more protrusions from another building block. Thus, the building block can be quickly and easily located at least partially on a further building block during construction of a structure using the building blocks. The one or more protrusions may be a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may be an even number of protrusions. It may be that at least one side wall is provided with an even number of protrusions. Thus, the protrusions can be used to locate building blocks on each other, where the building blocks have a half-block overlap. Where there are at least three protrusions on a side wall, the protrusions may be uniformly spaced. Each protrusion may be formed of one or a plurality of protrusion prongs. A plurality of the side walls may each be provided with the one or more protrusions. The one or more protrusions may be provided on at least each of opposite side walls of the building block. The one or more protrusions may be provided at an upper end of the at least one side wall. The one or more locating openings may be defined at the lower end of the at least one side wall. Thus, the building block can be easily stored on the ground in the upright orientation without damaging the one or more protrusions on the ground. The one or more protrusions may extend in a vertical direction. The one or more protrusions may extend at least five millimetres from one of an upper end and a lower end of the at least one side wall. The one or more protrusions may extend no more than 50 millimetres from one of an upper end and a lower end of the at least one side wall. The protrusion may have a protrusion securing opening defined therein. The protrusion securing opening may be open outward. The protrusion securing opening may have an axial direction having at least a component in the direction normal to the outer surface of the side wall. The protrusion securing opening may be a through- opening. The protrusion securing opening may be defined by surfaces of two adjacent protrusion prongs. The protrusion may be in the form of a plate member. The protrusion may be a metal plate. The plate member may extend from an inner surface of the side wall. The plate member may be secured to the inner surface of the side wall by a dome-headed fastener. The dome-headed fastener may be in-line with a protrusion-securing opening of the plate member, in a direction parallel to a hinge axis between the side walls. The protrusion-securing opening and the dome-headed fastener may be together sized and arranged such that at least one dome-headed fastener of a first building block can be received within the protrusion-securing opening of a second building block to secure the first building block to the second building block. In this way, it will be understood that the dome-headed fastener may provide a side protrusion, as described hereinafter.

The side wall may have a side wall securing opening defined therethrough. Thus, an elongate member passed through the side wall securing opening of a first building block and the protrusion securing opening of a second building block will secure the first building block to the second building block. In this way, adjacent building blocks can be securely mutually connected.

The one or more protrusions may be a plurality of protrusions. The building block or a building block assembly may further comprise a plurality of elongate members, each extending from a connecting member. The plurality of elongate members may be arranged to be able to pass through a plurality of side wall securing openings of a first building block and a plurality of protrusion securing openings of at least one second building block, to secure the first building block to the at least one second building block. Thus, a single connecting member can be manipulated to secure the first building block to one or more second building blocks in a single movement.

The connecting member may be connected to the side wall. Thus, the connecting member is on hand to be used to secure the building blocks together. The connecting member may be hingedly connected to the side wall. Thus, the connecting member can easily be moved between a disengaged position in which the building blocks can be separated (because the elongate members extending therefrom are not engaged with the plurality of side wall securing openings and the plurality of protrusion securing openings) and an engaged position in which the building blocks are secured together (because the elongate members extending therefrom are engaged with the plurality of side wall securing openings and the plurality of protrusion securing openings).

The connecting member may have a finger-hole defined therein. Thus, the connecting member can be easily manipulated by an assembler to move from the engaged position to the disengaged position to allow separation of the building blocks during disassembly of a built structure.

An axis of the protrusion securing opening may be angled in a direction having a component vertically away from the side wall in an outward direction. Thus, where the connecting member is hingedly mounted to the side wall, the elongate members extending therefrom can more smoothly engage with the protrusion securing openings.

The elongate member or at least one of the plurality of elongate members may comprise a resiliency biased portion to bias the elongate member to be retained in the protrusion securing opening when the elongate member is in the protrusion securing opening. Thus, the building block is restricted from becoming accidentally detached from a further building block.

The at least one side wall may comprise a side protrusion at the other of the upper end and the lower end thereof. The side protrusion may extend so as to engage with the protrusion securing opening of the protrusion of a first building block adjacent to a second building block, to secure the first building block to the second building block. Thus, the side protrusion of the side wall can be used to secure building blocks to each other. The side protrusion may extend inwardly relative to an outer surface of the respective side wall. The side protrusion may extend by a distance less than five millimetres.

The at least one side wall or at least one further side wall may define one or more locating openings at the other of the upper end and the lower end thereof. The locating opening may be configured to receive the one or more protrusions from another building block. Thus, the building blocks can be secured to each other by protrusions of a first building block to be received in locating openings of a second building block.

At least one side wall may comprise internal ribbing on an inner side thereof. It may be that all of the side walls comprise internal ribbing on an inner side thereof. Thus, the strength and stability of the at least one side wall can be improved. It will be understood that ribbing is not essential, and one or more, or all, of the side walls may be formed in other ways.

It will be understood that internal ribbing means a wall portion extending inwardly, normal to the outer surface of the side wall. Typically, the internal ribbing has an extent in the direction normal to the outer surface of the side wall no greater than a depth of upper and lower end portions of the side wall, extending in the same direction.

The internal ribbing may extend to at least one, such as both, of the upper and lower end portions of the side wall. The upper end portion of the side wall may be referred to as an upper end wall of the side wall. The lower end portion of the side wall may be referred to as a lower end wall of the side wall. The internal ribbing may comprise a plurality of ribbing portions. It may be that where each of the ribbing portions intersects with any other ribbing portion, (rather than an end wall of the side wall), the intersection is substantially normal to each ribbing portion. Thus, acute intersections between ribbing portions are reduced or even completely avoided, improving strength of the side wall. The plurality of ribbing portions may comprise one or more closed- loop ribbing portions, such as one or more circular ribbing portions. The circular ribbing portions may comprise at least one first circular ribbing portion having a diameter of at least two centimetres. Thus, the first circular ribbing portion ensures that the side wall can be punctured within the first circular ribbing portion and then the material of the side wall outer surface can be removed within the boundary of the circular ribbing portion without extending past the boundary. This allows services (such as electrical services, or plumbing services) to be passed conveniently through the walls of the building block through the circular ribbing portion. The circular ribbing portions may comprise at least one first circular ribbing portion having a diameter of at least two centimetres, and at least one second circular ribbing portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of the at least one first circular ribbing portion. Thus, different types of services can be routed through each of the first and second circular ribbing portions. It may be that at least one side wall is provided with both at least one first circular ribbing portion and at least one second circular ribbing portion. It may be that each side wall is provided with at least one first circular ribbing portion and at least one second circular ribbing portion. At least one side wall may be provided with a plurality of first circular ribbing portions and a plurality of second circular ribbing portions. Each of a plurality of first circular ribbing portions (and optionally a plurality of second circular ribbing portions) in the building block may be arranged such that when a plurality of building blocks are formed into a wall construction, laterally adjacent building blocks exhibit alignment between the first circular ribbing portions (and optionally the second circular ribbing portions) such that services can be routed between laterally adjacent building blocks through the circular ribbing portions. It may be that this requirement is met for two adjacent building blocks arranged in a T-shape, end-to-end, and in an L-shape. A first circular ribbing portion may be provided at a 50% point in a lateral direction of the first side wall of the building block. A first circular ribbing portion may be provided at a 25% point in a lateral direction of the first side wall of the building block. A first circular ribbing portion may be provided at a 75% point in a lateral direction of the first side wall of the building block. A second circular ribbing portion may be provided at a 50% point in a lateral direction of the first side wall of the building block. A second circular ribbing portion may be provided at a 25% point in a lateral direction of the first side wall of the building block. A second circular ribbing portion may be provided at a 75% point in a lateral direction of the first side wall of the building block. The proportions above may be present on other side walls, such as the third side wall opposite the first side wall, and/or on the second and fourth side walls.

Although the closed loop ribbing portions have been described as circular ribbing portions hereinbefore, it will be understood that other closed shapes can be provided instead, such as square, oval, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal shape, providing there is an open region within the closed loop ribbing portion.

It may be that there are no ribbing portions provided within the closed loop ribbing portions of the side walls.

The building block is typically rectilinear.

The first side wall may have a first length between the second side wall and the fourth side wall different to a second length of the second side wall, between the first side wall and the third side wall. The building block may be rectangular, not square. The first side wall may have the same length as the third side wall. The second side wall may have the same length as the fourth side wall. The first length may be twice the second length. The first length may be half the second length. In some examples, the first length may be four times the second length. The first length may be quarter of the second length. The first length may be the same as the second length.

It will be understood that the side walls are the sides of the building block, not the top or the bottom. Typically, one or both of the top and bottom of the building block are open.

At least one side wall may be formed, at least partially, from a ballistics panel. It will be understood that a ballistics panel is a panel configured to substantially prevent penetration of a ballistic (such as a bullet) therethrough. One example of a ballistics panel may be formed using Dyneema®. The ballistics panel may comprise polyethylene. The ballistics panel may comprise an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The ballistics panel may comprise a fabric. The ballistics panel may comprise a composite fabric. The ballistics panel may be a composite panel formed from a plurality of layers. At least one of the layers may be formed from Dyneema® composite fabric. The at least one side wall may comprise a frame surrounding the ballistics panel. The frame may be formed from metal. It may be that at least two side walls are formed, at least partially, from a ballistics panel. It may be that each side wall is formed, at least partially, from a ballistics panel.

The side walls of the building block may be formed from a plastics material. The plastics material may be high density polyethylene. The plastics material may be ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (LIHMWPE). The plastics material may be layers of woven ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (LIHMWPE).

It may be that an outer surface of one or more (e.g. each of) the side walls of the building block has surface roughness. It will be understood that a smooth surface would not be considered to have surface roughness. Thus, further covering can be more effectively adhered to the outer surface of the side walls using adhesives which bond more effectively with rougher surfaces.

The building block may be stackable. It may be that the building block can be secured to a further building block having the features described hereinbefore, and provided at least partially thereon. The building block may be configured to be releasably securable to the further building block.

The present invention extends to a structure formed from a plurality of the building blocks described herein, each of the building blocks provided in the assembled configuration, wherein a first building block has a second building block provided at least partially thereon. The structure may further comprise a third building block laterally adjacent to the first building block. At least one service conduit may (e.g. electrical or plumbing) may extend through a side wall of at least one of the building blocks. The at least one service conduit may extend through the adjacent side walls between the first building block and the third building block. The at least one service conduit may extend through closed loop ribbing portions defined in the adjacent side walls of each of the first building block and the third building block.

The structure may further comprise a capping member arranged to secure to the building block to cover a top or a bottom of the building block. The capping member may have defined therein a plurality of locating openings configured to receive the one or more protrusions from another building block. In some examples, a connecting member may be provided to allow the capping member to be secured to an end of the building block having the same type of connection as the capping member (such as an end of the building block also having defined therein a plurality of locating openings. It may be that the capping member defines at least one through-hole in a lateral surface thereof, having an extent of at least 2 centimetres in the shortest lateral direction. The through-hole may have a diameter of at least three centimetres. The capping member may define at least two through-holes. The capping member may define exactly two through-holes. It may be that the at least one through-hole(s) are arranged so as to be equidistant from each other and from a lateral edge of the capping member. Thus, elongate poles (e.g. scaffolding poles) can be inserted through the through-holes to extend into the building block in a vertical direction, even through several layers of building blocks which are interleaved. This allows more complex structures and/or stabilising arrangements to be formed.

The capping member may be adapted to support a person standing thereon. The capping member may define an outer lateral surface to face outward when secured to the building block. The capping member may comprise a plurality of ribbing portions arranged to extend inwardly and normal to the outer lateral surface. Thus, the capping member can be formed to be sufficiently strong to support the weight of a person or other heavy equipment thereon. Circular ribbing may demarcate the bounds of the through-holes described hereinbefore. The plurality of ribbing portions may extend within the circular ribbing of the capping member.

The structure may further comprise one or more scaffolding poles. The structure may further comprise one or more internal weights arranged within the building blocks to stabilise the structure.

The present invention further extends to a kit of parts for forming any of the building blocks described herein. The kit of parts comprises the at least four side walls. The kit of parts may further comprise at least four hinge pins, wherein each side wall defines a first hinge portion at a first end thereof and a second hinge portion at a second end thereof, the four hinge pins each sized to engage with adjacent hinge portions, one each on adjacent side walls, to hingedly connect the at least four side walls.

In some examples, the kit of parts may comprise a first component having the first side wall and the second side wall integrally formed, and a second component having the third side wall and the fourth side wall integrally formed. The first component and the second component may be to the same design.

The kit of parts may further comprise a capping member as described hereinbefore.

The present invention also further extends to a side wall for forming any of the building blocks described herein. The side wall defines an outer surface extending across a front face of the side wall, and comprises a first hinge portion at a first end of the side wall and a second hinge portion at a second end of the side wall, the second end opposite the first end. It may be that the side wall is integrally formed with a further side wall. It may be that the side wall component comprises the first side wall and the second side wall, integrally formed as a single component. It will be understood that the side wall may comprise any further or alternative features as described herein in the context of the building block.

The present invention yet further extends to a method of building a structure. The method comprises: providing a plurality of building blocks, as described herein, in the collapsed configuration; reconfiguring each of the plurality of building blocks from the collapsed configuration into the assembled configuration; and stacking a first assembled building block on at least a second assembled building block. It may be that the steps of reconfiguring the plurality of building blocks and stacking the building blocks occur at least partially in parallel. In other words, it may be that only some of the building blocks are reconfigured from the collapsed configuration into the assembled configuration before the assembled building blocks are stacked on other assembled building blocks. Subsequently, further of the building blocks may be reconfigured form the collapsed configuration into the assembled configuration to allow further stacking of the further assembled building blocks. The structure may be a wall. The structure may be a planter. The structure may be a building.

The method may further comprise securing the first assembled building block to the second assembled building block after the first assembled building block has been stacked on the second assembled building block. In some examples, the method may comprise securing the first assembled building block to the second assembled building block as part of stacking the first assembled building block on the second assembled building block.

The method may comprise disassembling the structure by separating the first assembled building block from the second assembled building block, for example by lifting the first assembled building block off the second assembled building block.

The building block may be a structural building block. In other words, the building block may be of sufficient strength to be used in construction of buildings.

The present invention still further extends to a mould for forming the side wall as described hereinbefore, from a plastics material. The mould may be for forming a side wall component comprising the first side wall and the second side wall, integrally formed as a single component. The mould may be for forming the capping member. The mould may comprise a removable inset for forming the capping member with one or more through-holes defined therein, as described hereinbefore.

Description of the Drawings

An example embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a building block according to the present disclosure, in an assembled configuration; Figure 2 shows a component including two side walls of the building block shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the building block of Figure 1 , in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 4 shows the component of Figure 2, in the collapsed configuration;

Figure 5 shows an assembly formed from the building block illustrated in Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 shows a cross-section illustrating the connection between the building blocks in the assembly of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows another example of a building block according to the present disclosure, in an assembled configuration;

Figure 8 shows a component including two side walls of the building block shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows the building block of Figure 7, in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 10 shows the component of Figure 8, in the collapsed configuration;

Figure 11 shows an assembly formed from the building block illustrated in Figures 7 to 10;

Figure 12 shows a cross-section illustrating the connection between the building blocks in the assembly of Figure 11;

Figure 13 provides a flow diagram, illustrating a method of building a structure, according to the present disclosure;

Figure 14 shows a component including two side walls of another example building block according to the present disclosure from an upper perspective view;

Figure 15 shows the component of Figure 14 from a lower perspective view;

Figure 16 shows a schematic of a cross section of a connection between two of the components shown in Figures 14 and 15;

Figure 17 shows an assembly formed of building blocks formed by a plurality of the component shown in Figures 14 and 15;

Figure 18 shows a component of the assembly shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 shows a partial assembly of the component shown in Figures 14 and 15 and the component shown in Figure 18; and

Figure 20 shows an assembly formed of building blocks formed by a plurality of the components shown in Figure 14 and 15.

Detailed Description of an Example Embodiment

Figure 1 shows an example of a building block according to the present disclosure, in an assembled configuration. The building block 100 is for use in forming a structure, in combination with other similar building blocks. The building block 100 comprises four side walls 102, 104, 106, 108. In particular, the four side walls 102, 104, 106, 108 are made up of a first side wall 102, a second side wall 104, a third side wall 106 and a fourth side wall 108. As will be described further hereinafter, the four side walls 102, 104, 106, 108 together define four hinge axes therebetween. Specifically, a first hinge axis is defined about which the first side wall 102 is hingedly connected to the second side wall 104. A second hinge axis is defined about which the second side wall 104 is hingedly connected to the third side wall 106. A third hinge axis is defined about which the third side wall 106 is hingedly connected to the fourth side wall 108. A fourth hinge axis is defined about which the fourth side wall 108 is hingedly connected to the first side wall 102.

As shown also with reference to Figures 2 to 4, the first side wall 102 is hingedly connected to the second side wall 104 by an interdigitated arrangement of hinge portions defined on mutually proximate ends of the first and second side walls 102, 104. A similar hinge arrangement is provided between the third side wall 106 and the fourth side wall 108, also including an interdigitated arrangement of hinge portions defined on mutually proximate ends of the third and fourth side walls 106, 108. It can be seen that the first hinge axis is provided inward of an outer surface 110 of the first side wall 102 in a direction normal to the outer surface 110 of the first side wall 102. Similarly, the first hinge axis is also provided inward of an outer surface 112 of the second side wall 104 in a direction normal to the outer surface 112 of the second side wall 104.

The third hinge axis is provided inward of an outer surface 114 of the third side wall 106 in a direction normal to the outer surface 114 of the third side wall 106. Similarly, the first hinge axis is also provided inward of an outer surface 116 of the fourth side wall 108 in a direction normal to the outer surface 116 of the second side wall 108.

The second hinge axis is provided outward of the first hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 112 of the second side wall 104. Similarly, the second hinge axis is also provided outward of the third hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 114 of the third side wall 106. In this example, the second hinge axis is at the outer surface of the second side wall 104 and the third side wall 106. The second hinge axis is defined by a living hinge between the second side wall 104 and the third side wall 106. The fourth hinge axis is provided outward of the third hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 116 of the fourth side wall 108. Similarly, the fourth hinge axis is also provided outward of the first hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 110 of the first side wall 102. In this example, the fourth hinge axis is at the outer surface of the fourth side wall 108 and the first side wall 102. The fourth hinge axis is defined by a living hinge between the fourth side wall 108 and the first side wall 102.

Each side wall 102, 104, 106, 108 is formed from a plastics material, in this example high density polyethylene. The first side wall 102 and the third side wall 106 are equal in length, and define a width of the building block 100 in the assembled configuration (as shown in Figure 1). The second side wall 104 and the fourth side wall 108 are equal in length and define a length of the building block 100 in the assembled configuration (as shown in Figure 1). In particular, the first and third side walls 102, 106 are shorter in length than the second and fourth side walls 104, 108.

The side walls 102, 104, 106, 108 comprise twelve protrusions 118 extending from an upper end of the building block 100, as will be described further hereinafter. Each protrusion 118 provides a bulbous head portion, having a dimension greater than a neck portion of the protrusion 118.

The side walls 102, 104, 106, 108 also include twelve locating openings, best seen in Figures 2, 4 and 6 as described hereinafter. Each locating opening is arranged to align with the protrusions 118 from another building block for securing building blocks together when some of the protrusions 118 from a first building block are received in the locating openings of another building block.

In the assembled configuration, the first side wall 102 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the second side wall 104. The second side wall 104 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the third side wall 106. The third side wall 106 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the fourth side wall 108. The fourth side wall 108 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the first side wall 102. In this example, the second side wall 104 and the fourth side wall 108 each include a corner portion extending partially around the corner with the first side wall 102 and the third side wall 106 respectively. Thus, the respective hinge axes are provided part way into the respective side occupied mainly by the respective first side wall 102 and third side wall 106. Figure 2 shows a first component 101a including the first side wall 102 and the fourth side wall 108 of the building block 100 shown in Figure 1. The first component 101a is shown as if in the assembled configuration, in that the first side wall 102 is angled 90 degrees relative to the fourth side wall 108. The first side wall 102 comprises a first protrusion 118a and a second protrusion 118b extending from an upper end thereof. The first side wall 102 also defines a first locating opening 120a and a second locating opening 120b at a lower end thereof. The fourth side wall 108 comprises a third protrusion 118c, a fourth protrusion 118d, a fifth protrusion 118e and a sixth protrusion 118f, extending from an upper end thereof. The fourth side wall 108 also defines a third locating opening 120c, a fourth locating opening 120d, a fifth locating opening 120e and a locating opening 120f, extending from a lower end thereof.

The first side wall 102 comprises a plurality of first side wall hinge portions 122, specifically five first side wall hinge portions 122. The fourth side wall 108 comprises a plurality of fourth side wall hinge portions 124, specifically six fourth side wall hinge portions 124. The six fourth side wall hinge portions 124 define a plurality of openings therebetween to accommodate the five hinge portions of the third side wall (not shown in Figure 2) in use. Similarly, the six hinge portions of the second side wall (not shown in Figure 2) define five openings to receive the five first side wall hinge portions 122 in use. The adjacent side wall hinge portions cooperate to define a hinge axis about which adjacent side walls can rotate to allow movement of the building block 100 between the assembled configuration and the collapsed configuration.

It will be appreciated that the first component 101a is to be combined with a second component, identical to the first component 101a, to form the building block 100, with the first side wall 102 being identical to the third side wall 106 and the fourth side wall 108 being identical to the second side wall 104. Thus, features of the first side wall hinge portions 122 are suitable to interact with the fourth side wall hinge portions 124 of a further component. The first side wall hinge portions comprise a plurality of axial protrusions to engage with axial depressions in the fourth side wall hinge portions (when on the second component). The first component 101a is connected to the second component by a push-fit connection via the first side wall hinge portions 122 and the fourth side wall hinge portions 124.

Figure 3 shows the building block 100 of Figure 1 , in a collapsed configuration. Specifically, the first component 101a is lying flat against the second component 100b. In particular, the first side wall 102 is lying flat against the second side wall 104, and the third side wall 106 is lying flat against the fourth side wall 108. In other words, the angle between the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 is 180 degrees. The angle between the third side wall 106 and the fourth side wall 108 is also 180 degrees. The second side wall 104 is lying parallel and coplanar with the third side wall 106 and is extending therefrom, at an angle of zero degrees. The first side wall 102 is lying parallel and coplanar with the fourth side wall 108 and is extending therefrom, at an angle of zero degrees. The building block 100 can be moved between the collapsed configuration shown in Figure 3 and the assembled configuration shown in Figure 1 by rotation about the hinge axis between the 0 degrees and 180 degrees of the collapsed configuration, and 90 degrees, to define a rectilinear building block 100.

Figure 4 shows the component 101a of Figure 2, in the collapsed configuration. In other words, the first side wall 102 is arranged parallel and coplanar with the fourth side wall 108, and extends therefrom via the living hinge providing the fourth hinge axis.

Figure 5 shows an assembly formed from the building block illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. The assembly 190 is formed of three building blocks 100a, 100b, 100c. As will be described further with reference to Figure 6 hereinafter, the upper building block 100a is secured to the lower building blocks 100b, 100c with a half-block overlap, as is typical in building with rectilinear blocks. It will be understood that other arrangements of blocks can easily be provided. Larger structures may be formed by securing many blocks to each other in an overlapping arrangement, perhaps extending upwards over several rows of blocks. To form the assembly 190, the first lower building block 100b and the second lower building block 100c are each provided in the assembled configuration, as shown in Figure 1. It may be that this involves reconfiguring the building blocks 100b, 100c from the collapsed configuration shown in Figure 3 into the assembled configuration. The lower building blocks 100b, 100c are positioned adjacent each other, end-to-end, on a building surface. Subsequently, the upper building block 100a is provided in the assembled configuration (optionally having been reconfigured from the collapsed configuration) and secured onto the first and second lower building blocks 100b, 100c by inserting the protrusions 118 of the lower building blocks 100b, 100c into the locating openings of the upper building block 100a. It may be that the assembly 190 can be referred to as a structure formed from the building blocks 100a, 100b, 100c, though it will be understood that a structure typically includes more than three building blocks. Figure 6 shows a cross-section illustrating the connection between the building blocks in the assembly of Figure 5. In particular, Figure 6 illustrates the arrangement of the protrusions 118 of the lower building block 100c extending into the locating openings of the upper building block 100a. Specifically, a third protrusion 118c of the second lower building block 100c is inserted through the fifth locating opening 120e of the upper building block 100a, and a fourth protrusion 118d of the second lower building block 100c is inserted through the sixth locating opening 120f of the upper building block 100a. The locating openings 120e, 120f have a lateral extent just greater than a neck portion of the protrusions 118c, 118d, and not so large as the bulbous head portion of the protrusions 118c, 118d. The locating openings 120e, 120f extend inwardly upwards into the upper building block 100a by a distance just less than the height of the neck portion of the protrusions 118c, 118d. In this way, when the protrusions 118c, 118d are inserted fully into the locating openings 120e, 120f, the bulbous head portion of the protrusions 118c, 118d extends laterally over the end of the walls forming the locating openings to retain the protrusions 118c, 118d secured relative to the locating openings 120e, 120f, and thereby also retaining the upper building block 100a relative to the lower building block 100c. Each protrusion 118c, 118d is formed from a first resiliency deformable portion 130a and a second resiliency deformable portion 130b, joined by a resiliency deformable connecting portion 132 at a distal (upper) end thereof. Thus, when the upper end of the protrusions 118c, 118d are pushed against and into the locating openings 120e, 120f, the first and second resiliency deformable portions 130a, 130b deform to reduce a width of the bulbous head portion of the protrusions 118c, 118d and thereby allow the protrusions 118c, 118d to be inserted into the locating openings 120e, 120f. The first and second resiliency deformable portions 130a, 130b return towards their original position once the bulbous head portion proceeds beyond the ends of the walls forming the locating openings 120e, 120f, aided in this example by the resiliency deformable connecting portion 132. The protrusions 118c, 118d and the side walls of the building blocks adjacent to the locating openings 120e, 120f define a securing opening 134. It will be understood that insertion of a securing protrusion therethrough when the protrusions 118c, 118d are positioned fully in the locating openings 120e, 120f will further secure the upper building block 100a to the lower building block 100c, and substantially prevent inadvertent separation of the building blocks 100a, 100c. Removal of the upper building block 100a from the lower building block 100c, when any securing protrusion has been removed, is as simple as exerting sufficient upward force on the upper building block 100a so as to cause the first and second resiliency deformable portions 130a, 130b to deform inwardly towards each other so as to allow the protrusions 118c, 118d to be removed from the respective locating openings 120e, 120f. It has been found that exerting a removing force which is applied at one end of the upper building block 100a can make it easier to disengage the building blocks 100a, 100c by removing some protrusions from their respective locating openings before other protrusions are removed from their own respective locating openings.

Figure 7 shows another example of a building block according to the present disclosure, in an assembled configuration. The building blocks and attendant components thereof illustrated in Figures 7 to 12 are substantially similar to the building blocks and attendant components thereof illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, apart from the hereinafter described differences. Like reference numerals are used for like components, but in a series starting 2-- (e.g. 200, 202, 204) instead of 1-- (e.g. 100, 102, 104).

Figure 7 shows a building block 200. The building block 200 is for use in forming a structure, in combination with other similar building blocks. The building block 200 comprises four side walls 202, 204, 206, 208. In particular, the four side walls 202, 204, 206, 208 are made up of a first side wall 202, a second side wall 204, a third side wall 206 and a fourth side wall 208. As will be described further hereinafter, the four side walls 202, 204, 206, 208 together define four hinge axes therebetween. Specifically, a first hinge axis is defined about which the first side wall 202 is hingedly connected to the second side wall 204. A second hinge axis is defined about which the second side wall 204 is hingedly connected to the third side wall 206. A third hinge axis is defined about which the third side wall 206 is hingedly connected to the fourth side wall 208. A fourth hinge axis is defined about which the fourth side wall 208 is hingedly connected to the first side wall 202.

As shown also with reference to Figures 8 to 10, the first side wall 202 is hingedly connected to the second side wall 204 by a hinge provided at mutually proximate ends of the first and second side walls 202, 204, and thereby defining the first hinge axis. A hinged connection is also provided between the third side wall 206 and the fourth side wall 208, also including a hinge at mutually proximate ends of the third and fourth side walls 206, 208, and thereby defining the third hinge axis. It can be seen that the first hinge axis is provided inward of an outer surface 210 of the first side wall 202 in a direction normal to the outer surface 210 of the first side wall 202. Similarly, the first hinge axis is also provided inward of an outer surface 212 of the second side wall 204 in a direction normal to the outer surface 212 of the second side wall 204.

The third hinge axis is provided inward of an outer surface 214 of the third side wall 206 in a direction normal to the outer surface 214 of the third side wall 206. Similarly, the first hinge axis is also provided inward of an outer surface 216 of the fourth side wall 208 in a direction normal to the outer surface 216 of the second side wall 208.

The second side wall 204 is hingedly connected to the third side wall 206 by a hinge provided at mutually proximate ends of the second and third side walls 204, 206, thereby providing the second hinge axis. The second hinge axis is provided outward of the first hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 212 of the second side wall 204. Similarly, the second hinge axis is also provided outward of the third hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 214 of the third side wall 206. In this example, the second hinge axis is at the outer surface of the second side wall 204 and the third side wall 206.

A hinged connection is also provided between the fourth side wall 208 and the first side wall 202, also including a hinge at mutually proximate ends of the fourth and first side walls 208, 202, thereby providing the fourth hinge axis. The fourth hinge axis is provided outward of the third hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 216 of the fourth side wall 208. Similarly, the fourth hinge axis is also provided outward of the first hinge axis, in a direction normal to the outer surface 210 of the first side wall 202. In this example, the fourth hinge axis is at the outer surface of the fourth side wall 208 and the first side wall 202.

Each side wall 202, 204, 206, 208 comprises a frame 240, in this example a metal frame 240, retaining a central panel 242 therein. The central panel 242 is a ballistics panel, in this example being a panel formed from Dyneema ®, which comprises an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in the form of a fabric.

The first side wall 202 and the third side wall 206 are equal in length, and define a width of the building block 200 in the assembled configuration (as shown in Figure 7). The second side wall 204 and the fourth side wall 208 are equal in length and define a length of the building block 200 in the assembled configuration (as shown in Figure 7). In particular, the first and third side walls 202, 206 are shorter in length than the second and fourth side walls 204, 208.

The second side wall 204 and the fourth side wall 208 comprise protrusions 218 extending from an upper end of the building block 200, as will be described further hereinafter. The protrusions 218 are in the form of a plate secured to and extending parallel to an inner surface of the second and fourth side walls 204, 208. In this example, each protrusion 218 comprises a first protrusion portion 219a and a second protrusion portion 219b, extending separately from the upper end of the building block 200. Locating openings 246 are defined in a region of each protrusion 218 above the height of the second and fourth side walls 204, 208. Each protrusion portion 219a, 219b has two locating openings 246 defined therein.

As shown in Figures 8 and 10, a lower end of the fourth side wall 208 (and also the second side wall 204, though this is not illustrated in the figures), is provided with four dome-headed fasteners 244, each arranged to be directly vertically below the locating openings 246 on the protrusions 218 and to be spaced vertically from the lower end of the second and fourth side walls 204, 208 by substantially the same distance that the locating openings 246 are spaced from an upper end of the second and fourth side walls 204, 208.

Each locating opening 246 is arranged to align with the dome-headed fasteners 244 of the protrusions 218 from another building block for securing building blocks together when at least some of the dome-headed fasteners 244 at the lower end of the second and/or fourth side walls 204, 208 from a first building block are received in the locating openings 246 of the protrusions 218 of another building block.

In the assembled configuration, the first side wall 202 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the second side wall 204. The second side wall 204 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the third side wall 206. The third side wall 206 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the fourth side wall 208. The fourth side wall 208 is orientated at 90 degrees relative to the first side wall 202.

Figure 8 shows a portion of the building block 200 of Figure 7, including the first side wall 202 and the fourth side wall 208. The first and fourth side walls 202, 208 are shown as if in the assembled configuration, in that the first side wall 202 is angled 90 degrees relative to the fourth side wall 208. The first side wall 202 does not include any protrusions of the type described hereinbefore in relation to the second and fourth side walls 204, 208.

The first side wall 202 comprises a first first-to-second side wall hinge portion 222. Figure 8 also illustrates a hinge pin 223 to be received in both the first first-to-second side wall hinge portion 222 and a second first-to-second side wall hinge portion affixed to the second side wall 204 (not shown). Thus, the first and second side wall hinge portions and the hinge pin together form a hinge. As described hereinbefore, hinges are provided between each adjacent pair end of the four side walls, providing a total of four hinges, one each of the four hinge axes.

It will be appreciated that the third side wall 206 is substantially identical to the first side wall 202 and the second side wall 204 is substantially identical to the fourth side wall 208.

Figure 9 shows the building block of Figure 7, in a collapsed configuration. Specifically, the first side wall 202 is lying flat against the second side wall 204, and the third side wall 206 is lying flat against the fourth side wall 208. In other words, the angle between the first side wall 202 and the second side wall 204 is 180 degrees. The angle between the third side wall 206 and the fourth side wall 208 is also 180 degrees. The second side wall 204 is lying parallel and coplanar with the third side wall 206 and is extending therefrom, at an angle of zero degrees. The first side wall 202 is lying parallel and coplanar with the fourth side wall 208 and is extending therefrom, at an angle of zero degrees. The building block 200 can be moved between the collapsed configuration shown in Figure 9 and the assembled configuration shown in Figure 7 by rotation about the hinge axis between the 0 degrees and 180 degrees of the collapsed configuration, and 90 degrees, to define a rectilinear building block 200.

Figure 10 shows the component of Figure 8, in the collapsed configuration. In other words, the first side wall 202 is arranged parallel and coplanar with the fourth side wall 208, and extends therefrom via the hinge providing the fourth hinge axis.

Figure 11 shows an assembly formed from the building block illustrated in Figures 7 to 10. The assembly 290 is formed of three building blocks 200a, 200b, 200c. As will be described further with reference to Figure 12 hereinafter, the upper building block 200a is secured to the lower building blocks 200b, 200c with a half-block overlap, as is typical in building with rectilinear blocks. It will be understood that other arrangements of blocks can easily be provided. Larger structures may be formed by securing many blocks to each other in an overlapping arrangement, perhaps extending upwards over several rows of blocks. To form the assembly 290, the first lower building block 200b and the second lower building block 200c are each provided in the assembled configuration, as shown in Figure 7. It may be that this involves reconfiguring the building blocks 200b, 200c from the collapsed configuration shown in Figure 9 into the assembled configuration. The lower building blocks 200b, 200c are positioned adjacent each other, end-to-end, on a building surface. Subsequently, the upper building block 200a is provided in the assembled configuration (optionally having been reconfigured from the collapsed configuration) and secured onto the first and second lower building blocks 200b, 200c by causing the locating openings 246 of the protrusions 218 of the lower building blocks 200b, 200c to surround and thereby have engaged therein the dome-headed fasteners 244 at the lower end of the second and fourth side walls 204, 208 of the upper building block 100a. It may be that the assembly 290 can be referred to as a structure formed from the building blocks 200a, 200b, 200c, though it will be understood that a structure typically includes more than three building blocks.

Figure 12 shows a cross-section illustrating the connection between the building blocks in the assembly of Figure 11. In particular, Figure 12 illustrates the arrangement of the protrusions 218 of the lower building block 200c, and the locating openings 246 defined therein, engaging with and surrounding the dome-headed fasteners 244 extending inwardly from the inner surface of the lower end of the upper building block 200a. To second the upper building block 200a to the lower building block 200c, the lower end of the upper building block 200a is aligned with the lower building block 200c and pushed towards the lower building block 200c such that the dome-headed fasteners 244 cause slight resilient deformation of the protrusion 218 of the lower building block 200c, in some cases through slight movement of the side wall of the lower building block 200c, until the dome-headed fasteners 244 are each located within the locating openings 244 provided in the protrusion 218. At this point, the protrusion can return towards its original position, and the dome-headed fastener 244 acts within the locating opening 244 to retain the upper building block 200a relative to the lower building block 200c. Removal of the upper building block 200a from the lower building block 200c is as simple as exerting sufficient upward force on the upper building block 200a so as to cause the protrusion 218 to be resiliency deformed by action of the dome-headed fasteners 244 against the boundary of the locating openings 246. It has been found that exerting a removing force which is applied at one end of the upper building block 200a can make it easier to disengage the building blocks 200a, 200c by starting to remove some dome-headed fasteners 244 from their respective locating openings 246 before other dome-headed fasteners 244 have started to be removed from their own respective locating openings 246.

Figure 13 provides a flow diagram, illustrating a method of building a structure, according to the present disclosure. The method 300 broadly comprises providing a plurality of building blocks in a collapsed configuration and stacking the plurality of building blocks to form a structure by stacking a first building block of the plurality of building blocks, reconfigured from the collapsed configuration into an assembled configuration onto a second building block of the plurality of building blocks, the second building block also reconfigured from the collapsed configuration into an assembled configuration. Specifically, the method 300 comprises providing 310 a plurality of building blocks. Each of the building blocks is as described hereinbefore, and is provided initially in the collapsed configuration. The method 300 further comprises reconfiguring 320 the plurality of building blocks from the collapsed configuration into the assembled configuration. The method 300 further comprises, after at least a first building block and a second building block have been reconfigured into the assembled configuration, stacking 330 the first assembled building block on the second assembled building block. In this way, a structure can be formed from the building blocks described herein.

Figure 14 shows a component 301a including two side walls of another example building block according to the present disclosure from an upper perspective view. Figure 15 shows the same component 301a of Figure 14 from a lower perspective view. The component 301a illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 is substantially similar to the component 101a and attendant components thereof illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, apart from the hereinafter described differences. Like reference numerals are used for like components, but in a series starting 3-- (e.g. 302, 308, 310) instead of 1-- (e.g. 102, 108, 110). The component 301a is for use in forming a building block, in combination with another identical component 301a. The component 301a comprises two walls which when used in forming a building block make up the first side wall 302 and the fourth side wall 308 of the respective building block. The first side wall 302 has an outer surface 310 and the fourth side wall has an outer surface 316. The component 301a includes six protrusions along an upper edge of the component 301a. In Figures 14 and 15, only three of the protrusions 318b, 318c, 318e are labelled for simplicity but it will be appreciated that the component 301a has six identical protrusions. The protrusions 318b, 318c, 318e are formed from a first resiliency deformable portion 330a and a second resiliency deformable portion 330b. However, unlike the protrusions 118a, 118b, 118c, 118d, 118e, 118f of the component 101a, the resiliency deformable portions 330a, 330 of the protrusions 318b, 318c, 318e are not connected to one another at the upper end. In this way, the first and second resiliency deformable portions 330a, 330b take the form of prongs extending from the upper edge of the component 301a. Nevertheless, the first and second resiliency deformable portions 330a, 330b still return towards their original position once a deforming force is removed from the protrusion 318b, 318c, 318e. The component 301a also includes six locating openings along the lower edge of the component 301a. In Figures 14 and 15, only three of the locating openings 320a, 320e, 320f are labelled for simplicity but it will be appreciated that the component 301a has six identical locating openings. The locating opening 320a, 320e, 320f align with corresponding protrusions of a component 301a. The component 301a also has five first side wall hinge portions 322 and six fourth side wall hinge portions 324. It will be appreciated that the five first side wall hinge portions 322 fit between the six fourth side wall hinge portions 324 of another component 301a when two components of this example are used to form a building block. Between each of the fourth side wall hinge portions 324 there is a wall 352 which locks the hinge into place, as will be described below in relation to Figure 16.

Features of the component 301a which are different to component 101a will now be described. The components 301a comprises a resiliency deformable protrusion 350 provided on each of the five first side wall portions 322. Figure 16 shows a schematic of a cross section of a connection between two of the components 301a shown in Figures 14 and 15, when in the assembled configuration. In Figure 16 the resiliency deformable protrusion 350 is shown in more detail. As shown, the resiliency deformable protrusion 350 is made of a first ridge 350a and a second ridge 350b which define a notch 350c therebetween. When the first side hinge portions 322 are pushed into second side hinge portions of another component (which are the same as the fourth side hinge portions 324), the resiliency deformably protrusion 350 deforms so that the wall 352 of the fourth side hinge portion 324 is pushed over the second ridge 350b and sits against the first ridge 350a in the notch 350c. The resiliency deformable protrusion 350 retains the wall 352 in the notch 350c to secure and lock the two components in place to one another to retain the building block in the assembled configuration.

The component 301a also comprises six circular ribbing portions 354a, 354c, 354d, 354f, 354h, 354j having a first diameter and four circular ribbing portions 354b, 354e, 354g, 354i having a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The portion of the side wall within the circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j can be removed to form an aperture in the respective side wall through which wires, pipes or other structures can be inserted. Since the aperture is formed within the confines of the circular ribbing portion 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j the strength of the building block is not reduced by the provision of the apertures in the side walls. The circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j having the first and second diameter are arranged in a row substantially along the vertical middle of the side wall 302, 308.

The component 301a also comprises eight circular ribbing portions 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h having a third diameter. The third diameter is smaller than both the first and second diameter. The circular ribbing portions 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h having a third diameter are arranged in a row vertically above the middle row of the circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j. The component 301a also comprises another row of circular ribbing portions having the third diameter vertically below the middle row of the circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j. The lower row of circular ribbing portions having the third diameter are not labelled for simplicity. Unlike the circular ribbing portions having the first or second diameter 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j, the eight circular ribbing portions having the third diameter 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h are not intended to provide support for an aperture in the side wall. Instead, the circular ribbing portions having the third diameter 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h are used to improve the structural integrity of the building block formed of two components 301a. Taking the circular ribbing portion 356d as an example, it is shown in Figure 14 that there five straight ribbing portions 358a, 358b, 358c, 358d, 358e which are connected to the circular ribbing portion 356d. The straight ribbing portions 358a, 358b, 358c, 358d, 358e extend radially outwardly from the circular ribbing portion 356d. This arrangement provides improved structural integrity compared to if the straight ribbing portions 358a, 358b, 358c, 358d, 358e were to meet at a singular point.

The circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j, 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h and the straight ribbing portions 358a, 358b, 358c, 358d, 358e extend inwardly (i.e. extend from the surface of the respective side wall opposite to the outer surface) in a direction normal to the side wall.

As mentioned above, the circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j, 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h are arranged in three rows which are separated vertically. Each circular ribbing portion within one row is connected by a straight ribbing portion 360. As an example, the upper row of circular ribbing portions having the third diameter 356a, 356b, 356c, 356d, 256e, 356f, 356g, 356h are connected by a straight ribbing portion 360. The straight ribbing portion 360 extends inwardly in a direction normal to the fourth side wall 308 to a first depth and a second depth. The depth of the straight ribbing portion 360 is the length of the straight ribbing portion 360 in the direction normal to the side wall 308. The first depth 360a is greater than the second depth 360b. The first depth 360a of the straight ribbing portion 360 is at the outer ends of the straight ribbing portion 360. The second depth 360b of the straight ribbing portion 360 is between the outer ends of the straight ribbing portion 360. It is desirable to have an increased depth at the connection region between the straight ribbing portion 360 and the side edges of the side wall to provide reinforced strength in the connection region. However, this reinforcement is only necessary at the connection regions and so the reduced depth between the side edges of the side wall reduces the weight of the component 301a without negatively impacting the strength of the building block formed from two of the components 301a.

As shown in Figure 14, each of the six fourth side wall hinge portions 324 are hollow and could therefore result in a user’s finger becoming trapped in the hollow hinge portion when the blocks are assembled. Therefore, to prevent this, the fourth side wall hinge portions 324 are shaped to reduce the size of the hollow region inside the fourth side wall hinge portions 324. In particular, the inner surface of each fourth side wall hinge portion 324 is curved and comprises one or more tines 382a, 382b which restrict the space of the hollow inner region of the fourth side wall hinge portions 324. The curve of the inner surface is convex, relative to the inside of the fourth side wall hinge portion 324, such that the space of the hollow inner region of the fourth side wall hinge portions 324 is further restricted.

Figure 17 shows an assembly 400 formed of building blocks formed by a plurality of the component shown in Figures 14 and 15. In particular, the assembly 400 is made up of two identical building blocks 300a, 300b, each of which are formed by two components 301a. The assembly 400 is also formed using another building block 460. The building block 460 is referred to as a “quarter block” because the second and fourth side walls are quarter the size of a “full block”, where blocks 300a, 300b are full blocks. In the quarter block, the first and third side walls remain the same size as in the “full blocks”. The quarter block 460 is formed of two components (not shown individually) that have the same type of features as the component 301a but have a smaller size and contain fewer instances of each feature.

The assembly 400 also includes a capping member 462. The capping member 462 covers the entirety of the quarter block 460 and partially covers the top of the full blocks 300a, 300b. The capping member 462 comprises an outer lateral surface 462 which, in the assembly 400, is arranged at a normal to the side walls of the blocks 300a, 300b, 460. Around the edges of the capping member 462, there is a skirt which extends downwards towards the building blocks 300a, 300b 460. In Figure 17, the first skirt portion 461 and the second skirt portion 463 are shown. In the first skirt portion 461 , there are four through-holes 467a, 467b, 467c, 467d. It will be appreciated that there is a corresponding skirt portion opposite to the first skirt portion 461 which also has four through-holes. The through-holes 467a, 467b, 467c, 467d on the first skirt portion 461 align with the protrusions on the building blocks. In Figure 17, two of the through-holes 467c, 467d are shown with pins 466a, 466b which secure the capping member 462 to the block 300b. That is, the protrusions are fitted into the apertures and secured with a pin. It will be appreciated that pins can also be used to secure the capping member 462 to the quarter block 460 through the through-hole 467b and the block 300a through the through-hole 467a. Further capping members can be used to cover the top of the exposed parts of bricks 300a, 300b, however these are not shown in Figure 17. It will be appreciated that not all of the through-holes must be attached to a component, as some may sit over the hollow space inside the building block.

Figure 18 shows a component of the assembly shown in Figure 17, namely the underside 468 of the capping member 462. The through-holes 467a, 467b, 467c, 467d are shown in the first skirt portion 461 and also on the opposing side of the skirt. The underside 468 of the capping member 462 is shown with ribbing portions extending in a normal direction to the underside of the capping member 462 generally in a grid formation. The straight ribbing formations 474a, 474b, 474c, 474d make up the ribbing grid formation. There are also two circular ribbing portions 470a, 470b, which have the same purpose as the circular ribbing portions 354a, 354b, 354c, 354d, 354e, 354f, 354g, 354h, 354i, 354j, to allow an aperture to be provided in the capping member 462 through which pipes, wires and other structures can be passed through. However, because the capping member 462 is capable of supporting the weight of a person or heavy equipment, the circular ribbing portions 470a, 470b are provided with a cross ribbing structure 472a, 472b to provide structural support for this region.

Figure 19 shows a partial assembly 500 of the component shown in Figures 14 and 15 and the component shown in Figure 18. In Figure 19, the capping member 462 is attached to the lower edge of the components 301a instead of the upper edge of the components 301a. The lower edge of the components 301a do not include the protrusions 318b, 318c, 318e. Therefore, in order to secure the capping member 462 to the lower edge of the components 301a, a separate peg 576a, 576b, 576c, 576d is used to attach the capping member 462 to the components 301a. Unlike the protrusions 318b, 318c, 318e, the pegs 576a, 576b, 576c, 576d are not integral with the components 301a. However, the pegs 576a, 576b, 576c, 576d function in the same way as the protrusions 318b, 318c, 318e. The pegs 576b, 576c, are held in place to components (which are not shown in this view) with pins 556a, 566b respectively. Although not shown in Figure 19, it will be appreciated that the pegs 576a, 576d are also attached to the components 301a using pins (which are not shown in this view). To aid understanding, it will be appreciated that the capping member 462 is shown semi-transparent in Figure 19, so that the structure, function and positioning of the pegs 576a, 576b, 576c, 576d can be better illustrated.

Figure 20 shows an assembly 600 formed of building blocks formed by a plurality of the components shown in Figure 14 and 15. The assembly 600 is made up of a plurality of “full blocks” (two of which are labelled 300a, 300b) which are in turn each made up of two components 301a as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The assembly is also made up the quarter block 460 discussed above in relation to Figure 17. The assembly 600 is also made up of a number of half blocks 700. The half blocks 700 are named as such because both the second and fourth side walls are half the size of a full block 300a, 300b. In the half block 700, the first and third side walls remain the same size as in the “full blocks”. The half block 700 is formed of two components (not shown individually) that have the same type of features as the component 301a but have a smaller size and contain fewer instances of each feature. The assembly 600 is made up of a plurality of capping members 462a, 462b, 462c, 462d, 462e. The capping members 462a, 462b, 462c are the same as the capping member 462, where the capping member 462b is attached to the lower edges of the building blocks 300a, 300b and capping member 462a, 462c are attached to the upper edges of the building blocks. The capping members 462d, 462e are half the size of the capping member 462, meaning that they have the same type of features as the capping member 462 but have a smaller size and contain fewer instances of each feature, for example two through-holes instead of four.

In the assembly 600, the side wall within the circular ribbing portions 354a, 354c of the component 301a has been cut out to form the apertures 682a, 682b. Pipes 678a, 678b are passed through the apertures 682a, 682b respectively. Although not individually labelled, it will be appreciated that each wall within the assembly 600 through which the pipes 678a, 678b pass also have apertures defined by the circular ribbing portion of that wall. The capping member 462c also has two apertures 680a, 680b defined therein by the circular ribbing portions 470a, 470b. As shown in Figure 20, a scaffolding piece 684 is accommodated within the block and passes through the aperture 680b. To aid understanding, it will be appreciated that some of the building blocks and one capping member have been shown semi-transparent in Figure 20, so that the structure, function and positioning of the pipes 678a, 678b and the scaffolding piece 684 can be better illustrated.

In summary, there is provided a building block (100, 200, 300a, 300b) configurable between a collapsed configuration and an assembled configuration. The building block (100, 200, 300a, 300b) comprises: four side walls (102, 104, 106, 108, 202, 204, 206, 208, 302, 308) including a first side wall (102, 202, 302), a second side wall (104, 204), a third side wall (106, 206) and a fourth side wall (108, 208, 308). Each side wall defines an outer surface to face outwardly when the building block (100, 200, 300a, 300b) is in the assembled configuration. The building block (100, 200, 300a, 300b) defines a first hinge axis about which the first side wall (102, 202, 302) is hingedly connected to the second side wall (104, 204), a second hinge axis about which the second side wall (104, 204) is hingedly connected to the third side wall (106, 206), a third hinge axis about which the third side wall (106, 206) is hingedly connected to the fourth side wall (108, 208, 308), and a fourth hinge axis about which the fourth side wall (108, 208, 308) is hingedly connected to the first side wall (102, 202, 302). The first hinge axis is defined inward of the outer surface (110, 210, 310) of the first side wall (102, 202, 302), in a direction normal to the outer surface (110, 210, 310) of the first side wall (102, 202, 302), and the third hinge axis is defined inward of the outer surface (114, 214) of the third side wall (106, 206), in the direction normal to the outer surface (114, 214) of the third side wall (106, 206).

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to and do not exclude other components, integers, or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.