Patents by Inventor Michael E. Woolford
Michael E. Woolford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7384215Abstract: The invention is a composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface. Each of the side surfaces has an inset extending from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The block also has a protrusion which has an angled side wall, the angle being at least about 20° from vertical. The protrusion is positioned on the block so that it will mate with any opening of an adjacently positioned course. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit or mate within the insets of another block.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Patent number: 7360970Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 7048472Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed ate landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Publication number: 20040032043Abstract: A core puller/mold assembly includes a mold frame containing a block mold having a mold cavity. A pair of cylinders is present, with each cylinder fastened to an opposed, exterior side of the mold frame. The cylinders each have a rod that extends beyond the mold frame joining the opposed, exterior sides. A core bar mounting bracket is fastened between the cylinder rods. At least one core bar is secured to the mounting bracket, with the bar extending toward the mold cavity. The at least one core bar is removed from the mold cavity with the cylinder rods extended and traverses the mold cavity with the cylinder rods retracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Mike Bastyr, Mark Glumske
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Publication number: 20040028484Abstract: The invention is a composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface. Each of the side surfaces has an inset extending from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The block also has a protrusion which has an angled side wall, the angle being at least about 20° from vertical. The protrusion is positioned on the block so that it will mate with any opening of an adjacently positioned course. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit or mate within the insets of another block.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Publication number: 20030210960Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 6641334Abstract: The invention is a composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface. Each of the side surfaces has an inset extending from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The block also has a protrusion which has an angled side wall, the angle being at least about 20° from vertical. The protrusion is positioned on the block so that it will mate with any opening of an adjacently positioned course. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit or mate within the insets of another block.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Patent number: 6616382Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Publication number: 20030012609Abstract: The invention is a composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface. Each of the side surfaces has an inset extending from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The block also has a protrusion which has an angled side wall, the angle being at least about 20° from vertical. The protrusion is positioned on the block so that it will mate with any opening of an adjacently positioned course. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit or mate within the insets of another block.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Publication number: 20020015620Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 6312197Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, and sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 6183168Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 6142713Abstract: The present invention is a family of concrete segmental retaining wall blocks, together with the related manufacturing process and molds, and retaining walls constructed of such blocks. The segmental retaining wall blocks are used to form retaining walls by dry stacking one course of blocks on another. The preferred blocks are characterized by: (a) a lower surface and a generally planar upper surface in which the upper and lower surfaces permit generally parallel alignment between the upper surface of a block and the upper surface of adjacent blocks in the next adjacent course of blocks when the blocks are stacked to form a retaining wall; (b) a downwardly projecting lip to aid in the creation of the desired setback and to facilitate positioning successive courses of blocks in a wall without the use of separate pins or mortar; (c) sidewalls which converge in a rearward direction to facilitate the construction of curved walls; and (d) a decorative front face which may be formed by splitting cured blocks.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 5884445Abstract: A unitary paving block having an exposed surface in use having a multitude of markings to simulate individual, random paving elements has a periphery with a shape which enables the block to be laid with other similar blocks in an irregular, substantially unrepeated paving array. The shape of the periphery of the blocks is such that the blocks can be laid with each block angularly moved with respect to each other and/or laid in staggered relationship with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Oldcastle, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Patent number: 5827015Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1997Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: 5711129Abstract: A composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface each lying adjacent the front, back, and first and second side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces has an inset spanning from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The blocks have back legs which are directed outwardly from the blocks back surface. The block back legs may extend in a plane parallel to the block front surface or extend forwardly toward the blocks front surface. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit within the insets of another block. A method of block molding and a mold assembly which may be used to make a block which may be stackable to form structures of varying setback is also explained.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Patent number: 5709062Abstract: A composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface each lying adjacent the front, back, and first and second side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces has an inset spanning from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The blocks have back legs which are directed outwardly from the blocks back surface. The block back legs may extend in a plane parallel to the block front surface or extend forwardly toward the blocks front surface. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit within the insets of another block. Also included is a method of block molding and a mold assembly which may be used to make a block which may be stackable to form structures of varying setback.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Patent number: 5704183Abstract: A composite masonry block having a front surface and a back surface which are adjoined by first and second side surfaces, as well as a top surface and a bottom surface each lying adjacent the front, back, and first and second side surfaces. Each of the side surfaces has an inset spanning from the block top surface to the block bottom surface. The block top surface has one or more protrusions positioned adjacent the first and second insets on the block top surface. The blocks of the invention comprise back legs which are directed outwardly from the blocks back surface. The block back legs may extend in a plane parallel to the block front surface or extend forwardly toward the blocks front surface. In use, the blocks may be stacked to provide an interlocking structure wherein the protrusions of one block interfit within the insets of another block.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
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Patent number: 5589124Abstract: A method of using a masonry block mold includes the steps of loading the mold with block fill through the top of a cavity formed in the mold, drawing excess block fill from the top of the cavity, compressing the block fill within the mold with a compression head moving into the cavity from top to bottom of the cavity. The mold includes opposing sidewalls which each have at least one step formed on their respective top edge to retain additional block fill proximate thereto and assist in the formation of a flange or other structural feature on the formed masonry block.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Block Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
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Patent number: D404147Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Oldcastle,Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Woolford