Abstract: A retaining wall is formed of a series of courses of blocks, each of which includes a core. Engagement members are interposed between the blocks in adjacent courses for preventing relative forward movement between the blocks in adjacent courses. Each engagement member is mountable to the rear web of a lower block, and includes an upstanding projecting portion that engages the rear web of an upper block for preventing forward movement of the upper blocks relative to the lower blocks. The upstanding projecting portion engages the rear web of the upper block so that the front face of the upper block is located rearwardly of the front web of the lower block, to expose an upwardly open forward portion of the core of the lower block. The exposed portion of the lower block core may receive planting media, to enable plants to be planted in the exposed core of the lower block.

Abstract: A block suitable for forming a block wall that is either a retaining wall or an above ground wall. The block includes a front wall extending between upper and lower block surfaces and presenting a first block face. A rear wall is spaced from said front wall and extends between the upper and lower block surfaces and presents a second block face facing away from the first block face. A pair of side walls extend between the front and rear walls and the upper and lower block surfaces, wherein a reference plane spaced from the front and rear walls extend between the pair of side walls. At least one pair of pin slots is formed in the upper block surface, wherein each pin slot of the at least one pair of pin slots is formed in the upper block surface on opposing sides of the reference plane and spaced from the reference plane.

Abstract: A landscape edging or border block has an essentially trapezoidal shape, and is capable of being used to form a linear, serpentine or combination border or edge. The blocks can also be used to enclose an area. By orienting each block such that its inner edge faces inwardly, a substantially circular shape is attained to enclose a circular area. To expand the area to be enclosed, at least two expansion blocks are added for each quadrant of the shape. The two expansion blocks are oriented so as to provide a linear segment in each quadrant between adjacent ends of each arcuate segment. Additional pairs of expansion blocks can be added for each quadrant to further expand the area to be enclosed. In all cases, the enclosed area is formed by placing adjacent blocks such that their edges engage each other to form a shape without the presence of gaps between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A landscape edging or border block has an essentially trapezoidal shape, and is capable of being used to form a linear, serpentine or combination border or edge. The blocks can also be used to enclose an area. By orienting each block such that its inner edge faces inwardly, a substantially circular shape is attained to enclose a circular area. To expand the area to be enclosed, at least two expansion blocks are added for each quadrant of the shape. The two expansion blocks are oriented so as to provide a linear segment in each quadrant between adjacent ends of each arcuate segment. Additional pairs of expansion blocks can be added for each quadrant to further expand the area to be enclosed. In all cases, the enclosed area is formed by placing adjacent blocks such that their edges engage each other to form a shape without the presence of gaps between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A cap unit for a retaining wall constructed of a plurality of courses of concrete blocks, in which at least the uppermost course of blocks in the retaining wall is provided with a connector member having an upstanding portion extending above the upper surface of the block, is provided with a recess or cavity in its underside for receiving the upstanding portion of the connector member. The cap unit is constructed such that the upstanding portion of the connector member abuts a side of the cavity so as to prevent lateral forward movement of the cap unit relative to the block therebelow. The cavity comprises a slot extending the width of the cap unit to accommodate varying placements of the connector member relative to the cap unit. The cap unit is formed so as to provide first and second end surfaces substantially parallel to each other, with a first side surface extending therebetween. The first side surface is perpendicular to both the first and second end surfaces.

Abstract: A specially constructed block for use in forming a mortarless retaining wall is disclosed, as is a retaining wall constructed therefrom and a method of constructing a retaining wall. Each block has a front face of a predetermined width and a rear wall having a substantially equal width. The block side walls provide a maximum block width at the front face and a minimum block width adjacent the rear wall. When such blocks are placed in a side-by-side relationship, a substantially closed cavity is formed between the blocks for receiving backfill material and thereby reinforcing the wall. A wall constructed from a plurality of such blocks utilizes an engagement clip disposed between blocks in upper and lower courses for preventing relative forward movement between the blocks. The clip is engageable with the upper surface of the rear web of the block for easy installation after the block is laid in a course.

Abstract: A split masonry block (50) formed of concrete-like material is provided with primary split surface areas (52, 54) and secondary split surface areas (56, 58, 60, 62). A wall (86) is constructed of such blocks so that the primary surface areas (52, 54) in one course are in vertical alignment with primary surface areas in adjacent courses, and the secondary surface areas (56, 58, 60, 62) are placed likewise. A composite module (10) is provided from which split blocks are formed.

Abstract: A composite module (14) is formed by a specially constructed mold (65) and division plate (80) to form plural splitting planes (28, 31, 33, 51, 54, 56) in the composite module which is thereafter split by a series of knives (114-116, 121-123, 126, 127) aligned with such predefined splitting planes to split the module into plural blocks (12, 13) each having plural irregular decorative surface areas (25, 26, 27; 48, 49, 50) having different widths (35, 37, 39; 58, 60, 62) and depths (30, 32, 34; 52, 55, 57). Such split-type decorative areas within a course (131) are aligned out of vertical alignment with decorative areas of other blocks in adjacent courses (130, 132) to form a decorative wall (134).