With Integral Spacing Projections Patents (Class 52/603)
  • Patent number: 11674282
    Abstract: A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ness Inventions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ness
  • Patent number: 11499530
    Abstract: A self-aligning interface for assembling a powertrain housing 210 of a wind turbine onto a support base 220 is provided. The support base 220 comprises a support surface 230 and the powertrain housing 210 comprises a housing surface 240. The support surface 230 and the housing surface 240 are configured to be in contact after assembly. The self-aligning interface comprises: one or more protrusions 250 on the support surface 230, wherein the one or more protrusions 250 comprises one or more walls 260 which are inclined with respect to the support surface 230; and one or more recesses 270 on the housing surface 240. In addition or alternatively, the self-aligning interface comprises one or more protrusions on the housing surface, wherein the one or more protrusions comprises one or more walls which are inclined with respect to the housing surface, and one or more recesses on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Nicolaj Biltoft Kristensen
  • Patent number: 10480149
    Abstract: The system for constructing a retaining wall can be used to construct a segmental retaining wall for retaining earth, on either side, at two different levels. The system includes a plurality of blocks. Each block has laterally opposed first and second end portions, a central portion and a neck portion. The central portion is positioned between the first end portion and the neck portion, and the neck portion is positioned between the second end portion and the central portion. The central portion has a longitudinal length less than a longitudinal length of the first end portion, the second end portion has a longitudinal length less than the longitudinal length of the central portion, and the neck portion has a longitudinal length less than the longitudinal length of the second end portion. A plurality of pegs can vertically interlock adjacent blocks. Tie connectors can connect the blocks to an external pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Husain Abbas, Abdullah H. Alsabhan, Yousef A. Al-Salloum, Abobaker S. Binyahya
  • Patent number: 9951490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stone, in particular a dam stone for a flood dam. In order to be able to build a stable flood dam in an easy way, according to the invention a cover surface is provided with at least two ribs and an opposing base surface is provided with at least two grooves corresponding to the ribs so as to create an indirect connection between two stones by means of a third stone that can be detached by applying a tensile force perpendicular to the base surface. The invention further relates to the use of such a stone. In addition, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mass retention structure, in particular a flood dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: RESCO Consulting GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Scherkl
  • Patent number: 9290933
    Abstract: A multi-purpose interlocking masonry unit includes support members extending from its lower surface and port depressions formed in its upper surface. Each masonry unit can be placed on top of a previously placed masonry unit. The interlocking masonry unit allows for the rapid creation of a wall that is substantially straight and aligned while minimizing the need to perform precise measurements and make alignment adjustments during the creation process. Bonding material can be poured through the resultant wall ports, creating a matrix pattern of bonding material throughout the wall, which results in a stronger more durable construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Joe Balducci, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9010059
    Abstract: A building block (100) comprises a first mating portion and a second mating portion which are complementary. The first mating portion comprises a mating protrusion (140) which defines an axially extending through bore (144) and the second mating portion comprises an axially extending mating receptacle (180) which is complementary to the mating protrusion (140). The mating protrusion (140) and the mating receptacle (180) are in communication via the through bore (144), and a fastener anchoring device (146) adapted for engaging with an engagement means (920) of a fastener (900) is formed inside the through bore (144). The through bore (144) is adapted to permit axial insertion of the engagement means (920) of the fastener (900) into the mating protrusion (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Value Chain Network (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Chi Kin Lin
  • Publication number: 20150096254
    Abstract: A pillar slab system using precast concrete pillar slabs for constructing a pillar, pergola or other stone structure comprises a body comprising at least four sides. Each exterior side surface comprises at least one simulated stone face. At least first and second side surfaces also have at least one simulated joint defining a visual separation between simulated stone faces. The simulated joints in the side surfaces are disposed at different horizontal positions, so that when one pillar slab is stacked on an identical pillar slab in a different orientation, the simulated joints in adjacent surfaces are vertically staggered relative to one another to avoid obvious repeating patterns and provide the appearance of a natural stone construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Risi Stone Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler Matys
  • Patent number: 8869487
    Abstract: This invention concerns a system of construction elements for the dry construction of a structure by way of shaped protrusions for mutual connection during assembly. It consists of construction element modules for raising walls, the ceiling and roof, and that the module consists of two elements with adjacent sides connected by a third element, creating a self-tightening connection, and the shaped protrusions of construction elements have two lateral contact surfaces, guiding (1) and self-tightening (2), inclined at specific angles ? and ?, and these angles are determined, respectively, between the perpendicular to the upper or lower protrusion surface and the guiding or self-tightening surface. The invention also includes applications of the specified system for raising compact and low structures, as well as for completing walls in buildings with skeletal constructions, and also as a block system for raising miniature constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: HCH SpĆ³lka z o.o.
    Inventors: Jerzy Haintze, Andrzej Haintze
  • Patent number: 8863464
    Abstract: A multi-purpose interlocking masonry unit includes support members extending from its lower surface and port depressions formed in its upper surface. Each masonry unit can be placed on top of a previously placed masonry unit. The interlocking masonry unit allows for the rapid creation of a wall that is substantially straight and aligned while minimizing the need to perform precise measurements and make alignment adjustments during the creation process. Bonding material can be poured through the resultant wall ports, creating a matrix pattern of bonding material throughout the wall, which results in a stronger more durable construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Joe Balducci, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140270989
    Abstract: A block for forming a structure, said block comprising a top, a bottom, a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, said block having disposed proximate the top at least one projection, said block having disposed proximate the bottom thereof at least one recess, wherein when the structure is formed from a plurality of said blocks, said at least one projection of one block engages with said at least one recess of another block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: 2223963 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Pacitto, Jonathan Pignatelli
  • Patent number: 8820023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a block deck used as the interior or exterior material of a building. More specifically, disclosed is a block deck using concrete, wherein a hollow portion is formed inside and filled with concrete so as to exhibit superior strength. The present invention provides a block deck including: a frame member formed with a hollow portion inside; and filler formed of a concrete material so as to be filled in the hollow portion. At this time, the concrete may be foamed according to desired strength with a foaming rate in the range of 0-50%. The frame member may be formed of natural wood, synthetic wood and synthetic resin materials. And, the frame member may be formed integrally or divisionally into two or more so as to be coupled, wherein coupling is carried out by being fitted in a sliding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: LG Hausys, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Gu Nam, Dong-Jin Kim, Jung-Il Son
  • Patent number: 8800235
    Abstract: A wall block having at least one weight bearing pad on an upper or lower surface of the block and a compression head and methods of making the block and making walls with the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: David M. LaCroix
  • Patent number: 8756894
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, corrugated board is folded into a building system. The building system comprises a plurality of blocks and connectors. The blocks are rectangular cuboid in shape. The bottom and top sides of the blocks have rectangular arrays of holes. The blocks may be releasably connected by aligning the top holes of one block with the bottom holes of another block, and then inserting connectors into the aligned pairs of holes, one connector per aligned paid of holes. The ends of the connectors that are inserted are circular or equiangular polygonal in shape. In some embodiments, compression is used to releasably hold the connectors in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Impossible Objects LLC
    Inventors: Robert Swartz, Joseph Fallon, Robert McClure
  • Patent number: 8757922
    Abstract: A concrete casted paving stone of rectangular shape is described and has two pairs of opposed parallel side walls. In a first of the two pairs of side walls, an engaging projection is formed in one side wall and a through slot in the other side wall for receiving the stone-engaging projection of another paving stone therein. The second pair of opposed parallel side walls each have a slot and a further stone-engaging projection in a section thereof. The stone-engaging projections of the second pair of side walls are disposed adjacent the side wall of the first pair which contains the slot and the slot extends through the rear wall of these stone-engaging projections. The paving stone may be used as a permeable paving stone wherein to evacuate water from an upper surface of a paved surface into the underlying support bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Techo-Bloc inc.
    Inventor: Charles Ciccarello
  • Patent number: 8747019
    Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Oldcastle Building Products Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertin Castonguay, Marcel Thomassen
  • Patent number: 8696235
    Abstract: A precast concrete solid core paver block which has a first pair of flat parallel side walls and a second pair of transverse parallel side walls. One side has at least one block engaging projection in one or more portions thereof and spaced between a top and bottom surface of the paver block. The opposed side wall has a slot to receive in close sliding fit the at least one block engaging projection of an adjacent one of the paver blocks for side-by-side interengagement while permitting horizontal displacement of the adjacent paver block and the block engaging projection thereof while preventing vertical displacement thereof wherein a top face of the paver blocks lie in a substantially common planar surface. Spacers form open joints about each block in portions thereof to communicate with a support bed and form a permeable paved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Techo-Bloc Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Ciccarello
  • Patent number: 8677715
    Abstract: A building element is in the form of hollow brick having a plane major face and dovetailed projections on an opposite major face for slotting together with similar building elements for the construction of masonry structures. The building element has internal through cavities for housing of operative connections of distribution systems and the like, arranged according to an array parallel to said plane major face, which is formed with references for identification from outside of each through cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tekno Design S.R.O.
    Inventor: Giorgio Giorio
  • Patent number: 8616803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paving stone having stone flanks which are oriented perpendicular to the laying plane, and wherein the paving stone has interlocking elements of a stone flank of an adjacent paving stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Baustoffwerke Gebhart & Soehne GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8549808
    Abstract: A structural element for use as a brick, construction block, panel, floor or suchlike in the building trade, comprises at least one part made of conglomerate material, such as concrete and suchlike, to which an insert made of insulating or filling material is constrained, to define peripherally at least a connection face for connection to another structural element, the connection face has visible a first surface of the insert and at least a connected second surface of the part made of conglomerate material. On the connection face one or more other structural elements are able to be combined, along a support plane (R, R1, R2) provided in correspondence with the connection face, so as to be laid and stably connected by means of a layer of binder material. The second surface has a seating made longitudinally and lowered with respect to the support plane (R, R1, R2), on which seating the layer of binder material is located. The seating has a determinate depth (D), with respect to the support plane (R, R1, R2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: S.A.C.M.E. SpA
    Inventor: Luciano Badin
  • Patent number: 8371086
    Abstract: A modular wall block is adapted for being assembled together with a number of other blocks in stacked courses to form a retaining wall. The wall block has a front and rear, top and bottom, and opposing sides. The top and bottom define respective substantially planar stacking surfaces. A shear lug projects from one of the planar stacking surfaces of the top and bottom. A block-locating jut is formed with at least one of the opposing sides, and projects from the side at a point intermediate the top and bottom towards one of the planar stacking surfaces. The block-locating jut defines a base surface substantially coplaner with the stacking surface, and a lug-engaging shoulder adapted for engaging a shear lug of a wall block located in an adjacent stacked course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: RidgeRock Retaining Walls, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis W. Shillingburg
  • Patent number: 8336278
    Abstract: A method for forming a structural paver deck assembly includes fastening structural decking panels across a bare frame structure. One or more of the decking panels includes an upper panel surface having a non-planar contoured decking panel surface. A paver decking surface is seated over the plurality of structural decking panels to form a paver decking surface. Seating includes positioning a plurality of paver pieces on the structural decking panels including interfittingly engaging the paver pieces to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Seating further includes aligning the plurality of paver pieces in at least one specified direction, wherein the paver pieces includes paver contour surfaces along a lower surface having a corresponding shape to the non-planar contoured decking panel surface. Interfitting engagement of the paver contour surfaces with the non-planar contoured panel surface orients the one or more paver pieces in the at least one specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: VAST Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Steven George Smith, Troy Achterkirch, Steven John Thorkelson
  • Patent number: 8316610
    Abstract: A plastic construction block for storage of water, food, medicine, staples, construction materials, or any other item that needs to be contained for storage and shipping. The construction block can also be used in the construction of a bunker, wall, or the like structure through conventional building construction by filling of the block with sand or dirt. The construction block is substantially rectangular in shape having an enlarged fill port on one end with a resealable cap. The interior of the block is hollow and sized to hold about 3.4 fluid gallons. Apertures extend through the block and are used for receipt of anchoring posts. Each aperture further having a raised protrusion formed integral along one surface and a receptacle placed around each aperture on the rear surface. The raised protrusion interlocking with a receptacle on a rear surface of an adjoining construction block for aligning similar shaped construction blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Wendell B. Adams
  • Patent number: 8240105
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of connecting a geogrid to a segmental retaining wall with the use of positive connectors between upper and lower blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Vernon John Dueck
  • Publication number: 20120167516
    Abstract: A method and mould for forming upwardly extending protrusions on a wall masonry block during moulding of the block. The method including pouring a flowable concrete mixture into a lower mould to form a body of said wall masonry block, applying a head shoe to form an upper section of said wall masonry block, the head shoe including a first mould portion for forming an upper bedding face of said block and a second mould portion for forming at least one protrusion extending upwardly from the upper bedding face, the head shoe being shaped to improve the flow of said concrete mixture into the second mould portion during compression of the block, and removing the masonry block from the mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: John Kenneth Dyson
  • Patent number: 8141315
    Abstract: A modular wall block is adapted for being assembled together with a number of other blocks in stacked courses to form a retaining wall. The wall block has a front and rear, top and bottom, and opposing sides. The top and bottom define respective substantially planar stacking surfaces. A shear lug projects from one of the planar stacking surfaces of the top and bottom. A block-locating jut is formed with at least one of the opposing sides, and projects from the side at a point intermediate the top and bottom towards one of the planar stacking surfaces. The block-locating jut defines a base surface substantially coplaner with the stacking surface, and a lug-engaging shoulder adapted for engaging a shear lug of a wall block located in an adjacent stacked course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ridgerock Retaining Walls, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis W. Shillingburg
  • Patent number: 7963727
    Abstract: A retaining wall block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two laterally spaced-apart side sections that jointly define a through-cavity that extends through the block from a top face thereof to a bottom face thereof. Two or more protuberances protrude outwardly from the top face of the front section frontwardly of the through-cavity. A groove extends laterally in the bottom face of the front section frontwardly of the through-cavity. The groove is located and dimensioned relative to the protuberances so that two blocks can be stacked one atop another in staggered relation with one or more protuberances of the lower block engaged with one but not both of a front wall and a rear wall of the groove of the upper block and the upper block setback with respect to the lower block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: E. Dillon & Company
    Inventor: Billy J. Wauhop
  • Patent number: 7950873
    Abstract: A set of concrete pavers is formed by a plurality of pavers being arranged in a paver row, and a plurality of paver rows being arranged to form a row. A number of parallel, adjacent rows form linear or meandering joints in the end-paver region of the rows when the rows are laid together. At least one section of the upper delimiting surface of the pavers is convexly cambered towards the outside, and projections on the side faces of the pavers form support elements for the adjacent pavers. The support elements, in combination with projections on adjacent pavers, create spaces that act as water-drainage openings in the joint regions. The pavers in each set include not only paving blocks with a length-to-height ratio of less than or equal to 4 but also at least one paving slab with a length-to-height ratio greater than 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Geiger
  • Patent number: 7908799
    Abstract: Concrete wall blocks are described with features facilitating use of the wall blocks to construct each of: a wall section with set back; and, a vertical wall without set back. Wall blocks, kits or sets of wall blocks, and wall sections with various sized blocks are described. Further methods of assembly and use are described. Also, features selectively usable in various types of wall blocks are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie L. Mugge, Jay J. Johnson, Harrison John Brown, Robert Joel Wolter
  • Publication number: 20110023403
    Abstract: A block has a front face with a first surface of non-planar roughness including at least 10% and not more than 90% of the area of the front face. The front face includes a second surface that is even and generally planar, with at least 10% and not more than 90% of the area of the front face. In one example, the first surface is a split face, and the second surface is a burnished split face. In another example, the first surface is a molded face, and the second surface is burnished. Methods of making a block include molding, curing, in some implementations splitting, and then burnishing. Walls can be constructed from these blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: MARK L. JOSLYN, Kevin J. Hegyi
  • Patent number: 7850394
    Abstract: A polygonal paving stone has a plurality of substantially planar sides extending perpendicularly between parallel upper and lower faces of the stone. A row of substantially identical and outwardly projecting narrow coupling members of a predetermined member width on each of the sides are separated by spaces of a predetermined space width. These narrow members are positioned on the respective sides such that when a plurality of the paving stones are fitted together with their upper faces generally coplanar the narrow coupling members of confronting sides of adjacent paving stones fit between one another A single wide coupling member on each of the sides has a width a greater than that of the member width of the narrow members and smaller than the space width so it can fit between two of the narrow members of a confronting side of an adjacent paving stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Harald Schrƶder
  • Patent number: 7811027
    Abstract: A set of paving stones is provided, including a plurality of different paving stones that each respectively have a polygonal base surface, side surfaces with ribs and a visible side, for paving surfaces with optionally different laying patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Rolf Scheiwiller
  • Publication number: 20100132298
    Abstract: A retaining wall block for an engineered block retaining wall system having an integrally formed head, neck and body, in which one generally planar front face of the body forms a visible part of the wall, the body having two pin holes, two clean out holes, each of which terminates within the body of the block, and two pin receiving openings, the pin receiving openings being configured to receive a free end of a lock pin provided in a pin hole of a block placed there under so as to interlock the blocks with a predetermined setback. The pin holes and pin receiving openings being positioned such that a plane extending perpendicular to the generally planar front face passes through one, and only one, of said pin holes or said pin receiving openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SCI Materials
    Inventors: Harold Rodebaugh, Steven C. Counts
  • Publication number: 20100115859
    Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: RICCOBENE DESIGNS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Publication number: 20100107541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support structure including a plurality of mats, each mat including a substantially fixed matrix of spaced tubular rings. The mats are vertically stacked such that the tubular rings are co-extensive and form a matrix of tubular columns. Materials may be poured into the columns and into the void region between the columns, and geotextile or geomembrane-type fabric may wrap the mats and materials to form a block. The blocks may be arranged in one or more horizontal layers, and may be stacked and staggered with respect to blocks in a lower layer. A method of installing the structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: William W. Bohnhoff
  • Publication number: 20100088994
    Abstract: A set comprising a construction element and a masonry tool, said construction element comprising a first face and a second face substantially oriented in planes parallel to the axes of the length l and width d and separated from each other by a height h, said first face comprising at least two ribs oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the length l and separated in each case from each other in the axis of the width d by a first so hollow, and a third face and a fourth face, substantially oriented in planes parallel to the axes of the width d and height h, and separated by a length l, said first hollow is open at least on said third face, said masonry tool comprises at least two sections sized so as to be able to be placed straddling in each case on one of the ribs and each arranged so as to be is able to slide on said rib on which it is placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Agostino Di Trapani
  • Patent number: 7661239
    Abstract: A dry-stackable masonry brick having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and opposing side surfaces. The brick is provided with a plurality of channels, which extend along the top, bottom and one side of the brick. The channels are configured and arranged so that they are able to receive a projection from one or more adjacent bricks in an interlocking relation. The brick may be positioned on either of the opposing sides in a vertical orientation, with the bottom side up, or even with the rear surface facing forwardly. The front and rear surfaces of the brick may be provided with different surface treatments to increase the number of differently configured walls that may be constructed. Moreover, the front and rear surfaces may be provided with marginal areas that are configured so that they are able to receive and retain filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Alliance Concrete Concepts Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Price
  • Patent number: 7621095
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Dean Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Dean, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7571579
    Abstract: A structural element for the construction of any type of buildings, comprising a first ā€œCā€-shaped element with equidistant cavities at least on one of its faces and a second element in the shape of a continuous strip with equidistant angular folds, whereby once both structural elements are assembled to each other, the angular folds of the metallic strip are projected through the cavities of the ā€œCā€-shaped structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Antonio Reyes Ruiz
  • Publication number: 20090094917
    Abstract: A construction apparatus including a body having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposite sides. The front has a front surface having a plurality of block images configured to generally depict a plurality of courses of blocks, each of the courses having a respective course width. The first and second sides have generally complementary step shapes including at least two rises and at least one run between the rises, each rise being about equal to one of the course widths or a sum of a plurality of the course widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: PACIFIC FENCE-CRETE LTD.
    Inventor: Robert Gordon McIntosh
  • Patent number: 7497646
    Abstract: A retaining wall block engagement system comprises a plurality of wall blocks connected with connectors. Each wall block comprises a top surface and opposing bottom surface, a front surface and opposing rear surface and first and second opposing side surfaces. Each side surface includes a shoulder portion and a pair of recesses extending upwardly from bottom surface. The recesses separated by a web portion. A plurality of generally H-shaped or h-shaped connectors are configured to interlock a block in a given course with a block in an adjacent course of blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mortarless Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. Price
  • Patent number: 7393155
    Abstract: An irregular, tessellated building unit comprises x primary elements, wherein x is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The primary element is a rotational tessellation having a plural pairs of sides extending in a generally radial direction from plural vertices, respectively. In each pair, the two sides are rotationally spaced by an angle that is divided evenly into 360 degrees. Preferably, all of the sides are irregularly shaped, but one or more sides could be wholly or partially straight. Optionally, spacers are provided on the sides of each unit. A wide variety of units may be constructed having different numbers and arrangements of primary elements. As all the units are combinations of primary elements, they readily mate with each other. A surface covering comprises a multiplicity of units assembled to form a continuous surface without overlap between units and without substantial gaps between units. A structure, such as a wall or column can be formed of building units of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Riccobene Designs LLC
    Inventor: Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: 7367752
    Abstract: A retaining wall block having a front surface, a rear surface, side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Each side surface comprises a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section, with the sections configured and arranged to allow a plurality of blocks to be arranged in a convex wall structure. The retaining wall block may be combined with one or more pins, which may engage vertically adjacent blocks and which may engage an end of an earth anchor. The retaining wall block may be cast in a mold box whose depth and width are configured and arranged to substantially approximate the depth and width of a standard sized pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Mortarless Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. Price
  • Patent number: 7351014
    Abstract: A block for use in constructing a multiple course retaining wall comprises a top surface, a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface, opposing side surfaces, a front surface and a back surface. The bottom surface may include a pair of contacting portions that contact a top surface of a lower course of blocks when the block is placed on a lower course of blocks and a gap defining portion located between the contacting portions. The front surface may have generally planar upper and lower edges when viewed in front elevation and has a width extending between the side surfaces that is greater than the width extending between the side surfaces of back surface. At least one of the contacting portions may intersect front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mortarless Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald P. Price, Raymond R. Price
  • Patent number: 7351015
    Abstract: An invertible retaining wall block comprises a front portion, a rear portion and a neck portion connecting the front portion and rear portion. A projection extends outwardly from the block to interlock with similar blocks in adjacent courses of blocks. One or more notches are provided to the front portion in order to allow the base course of blocks to be placed in an inverted orientation with respect to subsequent courses because the notch provides clearance for the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mortarless Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Price, Raymond R. Price, Gerald P. Price
  • Patent number: 7220078
    Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial stone floor element with a basic shape that corresponds to the combination of a plurality of square basic elements, especially to an angular floor element. The floor element includes projections and recesses along its peripheral sides of the basic element when seen from the centre of the respective top face of the basic element is substantially point-symmetric with respect to its mid-point. The floor element in further embodiments includes a profile that consists of three projections and three recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: F.von Langsdorff Licensing Limited
    Inventors: Andreas Drost, Michael Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7185470
    Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall and comprising a body having a central cavity extending vertically there through and defining front, rear, and side walls. The side walls diverge rearwardly from the front of the block to the rear. Stabilizing wings extending outwardly at the rear of the side walls. Positioning wedges extend from the bottom surface and include flat forward surfaces for positioning the block with respect to the blocks in a lower tier of blocks. The flat forward surfaces of the positioning wedges are located nearer the front surface of the block than is the inner surface of the front wall, thereby enabling a retaining wall created from the blocks to have each successive higher tier offset from the adjacent lower tier by a set distance. The block of the present invention provides a stable block having a large coverage area at a low weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: E. Dillon & Company
    Inventor: James Barry Link
  • Patent number: 7090438
    Abstract: A block for use in constructing a multiple course retaining wall. The block has a substantially planar top surface, a front surface, wherein said front surface is of a substantially curvilinear shape, a rear surface, opposed side surfaces, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a predetermined area and a non-planar portion, with the non-planar portion comprising a continuous area making up at least one-quarter of the bottom surface and creating a cavity between the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of a lower course of blocks when the block is placed on the top surface of the lower course of blocks. The cavity allows dirt and other foreign matter to exist between successive courses of blocks without creating instability between the block and the lower course of blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Price, Raymond R. Price
  • Patent number: 7073304
    Abstract: A block has a finished surface that provides an attractive appearance. The block is relatively large in size, allowing the quick construction of a wall, such as a retaining wall, using the block. The block includes one or more lift and alignment devices in the block that allow the block to be lifted using a suitable lifting apparatus, such as a crane, forklift, backhoe, etc. The block includes one or more recessed portions in the bottom surface of the block positioned to receive the protruding lift and alignment device of a previously-laid block underneath, thereby helping to align the block with the previously-laid block. The block includes one or more voids that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of the block, and that align with each other when the blocks are stacked into a wall, thereby allowing fill material to be placed in the voids to strengthen the wall. The preferred embodiments also include a wall system with various different blocks that may be used to build a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Robert D. Hampton, John J. Gran
  • Patent number: 6988847
    Abstract: A interlocking paving unit has a top surface (2) and a plurality of side surfaces (4, 5), with at least one of the side surfaces (4, 5) of the paving unit being provided with at least one substantially vertically extending, substantially asymmetric protrusion (10). The protrusion (10) comprises a first ridge portion (11) and a second portion (12) being spaced apart by an intermediate portion (13). The protrusion (10) is locatable in a complementary recess on an adjacent paving unit, wherein the interengagement between the protrusion and the recess provides interlock between the paving unit and an adjacent paving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Lazar
  • Patent number: RE39922
    Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey