Particularly Related To Adjacent Module Patents (Class 52/604)
  • Patent number: 7610730
    Abstract: A masonry block system that employs blocks with unique surfaces, top and bottom, and a locking starter rail for placement below the block wall. The surfaces of the block and the shape of the starter rail are configured so as to lock together, providing a wall system. The system can either be mortarless wherein grout-like material is placed within the blocks to provide a monolithic system. A method of making and installing and various parts, such as the starter rail and block are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20090249734
    Abstract: A structural block is provided. The structural block has a top and a bottom. A first sidewall section is between the top and the bottom. A second sidewall section is between the first sidewall section and one of the top or the bottom, and the second sidewall section is angularly disposed relative to the first sidewall section, so as to form a feature that interlocks with an adjacent structural block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: William H. Karau
  • Patent number: 7597504
    Abstract: A block and peg combination for a modular wall construction is disclosed including a cast block of cementations material having a front face, a rear face, two sides with each side extending between an edge of the front face and an edge of the rear face, a bottom, and a top parallel to the bottom. The front face, rear face and two sides are substantially normal to the bottom and top. The front face has a width between the two sides which exceeds the width of the rear face between the two sides whereby the block tapers at the sides from a wide dimension at the front face to a narrower dimension at the rear face for forming curved walls. The bottom defines at least four spaced-apart holes adjacent the respective sides of the block. At least two pegs, each peg having a conical head portion and a shaft portion, are utilized for insertion into the spaced-apart holes on the bottom of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey McNear
  • Patent number: 7546716
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus and method of constructing walls of framed block assemblies including both exterior and interior partition walls which are assembled through an interlocking structure having dovetail tongues interlocked with dovetail channels. Includes are a plain wall, a wall with mortar for ornamentation, and a wall applied with straight longitudinal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Armond Asadurian
  • Publication number: 20090113836
    Abstract: The invention includes a generally parallelepiped-shaped building block which has at least one male engaging formation defined on a first side thereof and at least one complimentary shaped female engaging formation defined on an opposed second side thereof, the engaging formations are shaped and configured to permit at least a portion of the, or each, male engaging formation of a similar building block to be received within the, or each, female engaging formation, thereby aligning and leveling the blocks relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicants: Basil Richard Steve PITCHERS, Paul Brett MCNEILAGE
    Inventors: Basil Richard Steve Pitchers, Paul Brett McNeilage
  • Publication number: 20090113835
    Abstract: The present invention provides a block useful in the construction of walls and structures that is shaped in the general form of a rectangular solid. A horizontal channel extends along the entire length dimension of the block, open coincident with the top of the block. An open vertical channel associated with each end faces outwards toward an adjacent masonry block end. A protruding portion extends from the flat bottom with the same width of the open channel on the top, so that an interlocking connection is formed. A protruding rectangular portion is optionally incorporated into the front face portion, and also optionally into the rear face portion, leaving a recess along one end, and along the top, so that when assembled into a wall, the recessed parts of the face portion give the appearance of mortar joints. Vertical and horizontal rebar may be set within the aligned channels of the blocks when assembled into a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Aldo Banova
  • Publication number: 20090113837
    Abstract: An artificial stone siding product for use as siding for homes, commercial buildings, and other structures, as well as for hearths, mantles, and other similar indoor structures, is provided. The artificial stone siding product includes a stone body cast of a cement aggregate and having an outer visible surface area shaped and colored to resemble real stone. An integral mounting support extends from at least one edge of the stone body. The mounting support allows the attachment of the artificial stone siding product to a surface of a wall using fasteners inserted through apertures defined by the support. The artificial stone siding product may be used to quickly and easily construct a stone wall by mounting a plurality of the artificial stone siding products to the exterior of a wall in much the same way as standard siding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Richard A. Mickelson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090000234
    Abstract: Concrete blocks having face surfaces embossed with non-geometric patterns. The blocks may be of various sizes with some having faces surfaces with lengths and heights that are multiples other blocks. The blocks may have multiple sizes, colors or combinations of colors, face surface patterns, and set back configurations. Also, walls formed from such blocks and mold boxes usable in the formation of the blocks are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy A. Bott, Robert A. Gravier
  • Publication number: 20080307740
    Abstract: The present invention relates a mold box method of manufacturing a block, and a wall block with a stepped-back strata and ledges imprinted on one or more faces of the block. A mold box is provided with a block face liner that is machine cut to create a particular strata and ledge pattern that is widest at the top of the liner and steps back over a plurality of planes to a narrower width at the bottom of the liner. Masonry material is allowed to form in the mold box around the liner to produce the strata and ledges imprint onto one or more faces of the block. The invention also relates to the mold box, multiple embodiments of the block face liner with differing strata and ledge patterns, and to blocks formed in the mold box and methods of constructing walls with the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080289283
    Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system utilizing extruded strips for soil reinforcement. The retaining wall is composed of a plurality of wall blocks that are stacked securely using interlocking pins and an extruded strip. The wall can be built such that it has vertical or battered angle dependant on the orientation of the interlocking pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Hye Seoung Shin
  • Patent number: 7445407
    Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of reinforcement member retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. A first of the retaining means secures the at least one reinforcement member against the bottom of the slot and a second of the retaining means secures the first retaining members against the side of the slot, such that the at least one reinforcement member is additionally secured between the pair of retaining means. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
  • Publication number: 20080256891
    Abstract: A modular brick or block outdoor structure includes an outdoor structure that is constructed in modular sections. Each modular section is fabricated from a plurality of paving bricks or retaining wall blocks that match the brick or block used to construct the patio. The bricks or blocks are preferably assembled to each other with adhesive. Each modular section includes means for transporting thereof with some type of equipment, if necessary. It is preferable that each modular section include channels to receive lifting forks of an end loader or other suitable transport device, if necessary. However, other methods of transporting the modular section may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph P. Raboine
  • Patent number: 7429144
    Abstract: A paving brick assembly includes: a plurality of polygonal main bricks, each of which has a plurality of first lateral sides and a plurality of second lateral sides that are alternately disposed with the first lateral sides, each of the first lateral sides being formed with a vertical protrusion, each of the second lateral sides being formed with a vertical groove and a horizontal groove; and a plurality of polygonal connecting bricks, each of which has a pair of opposite connecting lateral sides and a pair of opposite coupling lateral sides. Each of the connecting lateral sides is formed with a connecting protrusion. Each of the coupling lateral sides is formed with a coupling groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Huo-Mu Lai
  • Publication number: 20080202054
    Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a system of brick and rod for the construction of inclined walls, with great rigidity and lateral resistance, and great resistance to extreme uniform, cyclic, and gravitational forces. The brick of this system is a block with horizontal and vertical protuberances and cavities which permits horizontal and vertical interlocks with the adjacent bricks of the wall. The brick is also perforated by holes that are aligned with the holes of the vertically adjacent bricks of the wall, thus forming continuous holes which go throughout the entire height of the wall. The rods of the system cross the bricks through the continuous holes of the wall. This system allows the construction of an inclined wall made of bricks reinforced with a skeleton of rods. The resulting wall is suitable for retaining walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Ricardo Enrique Abella
  • Patent number: 7416166
    Abstract: The present invention is a unitary piece block formed of polymers (such as polystyrene or other high strength polymer) by a single injection molding step which are assembled into a recreational vehicle leveler. The invention ramp provides four sets of four connectors at a top of a floor plate, which are adapted to interlock in cavity structures formed within a cavity on the underside of the block. Two adjacent blocks are secured together by applying to their top surfaces the securing cavity structure of an underside of a third such block. Such blocks can be stacked in an interlocking manner to reduce storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Anne Shaw
  • Patent number: 7396190
    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 includes a projection that is configured to abuttingly engage a portion of a vertically adjacent block in a wall structure. Preferably, the block has a width/depth ratio in the range of about 1.87 to 2.67. The retaining wall block may be combined with an earth anchor for use in multi-course walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mortarless Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. Price
  • Publication number: 20080148676
    Abstract: A construction block includes rectangular front and rear panels and at least one web connecting the front and rear panels. Each of the front and rear panels has top, bottom, and right and left edge surfaces. At least one web having top and bottom surfaces co-extensive with the top and bottom of the front and rear panels is provided to define top and bottom surfaces of the block. The top surface of the block has a shallow rectangular ridge along its length, flanked by outer support surfaces. The lower surface of the block has a shallow rectangular channel along its length, flanked by flat outer feet corresponding to the outer support surfaces. The right and left edge surfaces of the front and rear panels are profiled to interfit with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Azar Mortarless Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony J. Azar
  • Patent number: 7387472
    Abstract: The invention of the present application provides a system of brick and rod for the construction of inclined walls, with great rigidity and lateral resistance, and great resistance to extreme uniform, cyclic, and gravitational forces. The brick of this system is a block with horizontal and vertical protuberances and cavities which permits horizontal and vertical interlocks with the adjacent bricks of the wall. The brick is also perforated by holes that are aligned with the holes of the vertically adjacent bricks of the wall, thus forming continuous holes which go throughout the entire height of the wall. The rods of the system cross the bricks through the continuous holes of the wall. This system allows the construction of an inclined wall made of bricks reinforced with a skeleton of rods. The resulting wall is suitable for retaining walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Ricardo Enrique Abella
  • Patent number: 7384215
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Woolford
  • 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: 7367167
    Abstract: A block according to the present invention is a block comprising a base body part, a first protruding part, and a second protruding part, which are integrally formed with each other. The base body part has a left lower side face, a right lower side face, a left upper side face, and a right upper side face formed as respective sloping faces. The first protruding part has a lower surface thereof formed by first to third left-hand sloping faces, an upper surface thereof formed by fourth to sixth left-hand sloping faces, and a left side surface thereof formed by seventh and eighth left-hand sloping faces. The second protruding part has a lower surface thereof formed by first to third right-hand sloping faces, an upper surface thereof formed by fourth to sixth right-hand sloping faces, and a right side surface thereof formed by seventh and eighth right-hand sloping faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Hokusei Shoji Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20080086972
    Abstract: A brick for a brick-based construction toy, wherein the brick is of rectangular form comprised of end walls, side walls, and a top wall defining an open bottom configuration. The top wall has a plurality of predictably spaced studs projecting upwardly therefrom which can be frictionally gripped in the open bottom of a brick positioned above. The side and end walls are with joined with said top wall to form arcuate upper edge contours of the brick, and are also formed with arcuate bottom edge contours such that, in an assembly of two bricks, one above the other, access grooves are formed by adjoining upper edge contours and bottom edge contours of the respective bricks to facilitate subsequent disassembly thereof. A separating tool is also provided, for insertion in the access grooves, to assist in initiating separation of the bricks, where necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Joel I. Glickman
  • 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: 7347028
    Abstract: A modular construction system that utilizes versatile construction components releasably attachable to one another, in virtually any desired direction, by use of one or more interconnect components positioned therebetween. Each construction component includes at least two inventive connective surfaces with a receiving region therein, while each interconnect component includes at least one coupling surface comprising multiple coupling elements capable of releasable frictional engagement with at least a portion of one or more receiving regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Inspired Child, Inc.
    Inventors: Rifael Bin-Nun, Rebecca Neugroschl, Ari Neugroschl
  • Patent number: 7328537
    Abstract: A wall block includes an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces converging between respective ends of the first and second faces. Blocks in a wall may be stacked on top of each other in either a vertical, set forward or set backward relationship. The length of a block face may be a multiple of its height, and the blocks otherwise are formed such that blocks may be stacked with the top surface of one block in abutment with a bottom surface of a vertically adjacent block or, optionally, with the top or bottom surface of one block in abutment with a side surface of a vertically adjacent block. The blocks may be manufactured in different sizes, such that their faces are of different lengths and heights, thereby enabling the construction of walls or fences of highly variable appearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Hammer
  • Patent number: 7305803
    Abstract: A block construction system includes interlocking, self-aligning blocks that can be used to construct structures with mortarless joints. A typical block has a top face that is formed with a raised, substantially flat horizontal portion that extends between a pair of longitudinally aligned rounded edges. Longitudinally aligned horizontal stop surfaces extend from each rounded edge. A bottom face of the block is formed with a pair of longitudinally aligned stop surfaces and a substantially flat portion that is positioned between and recessed from the stop surfaces. For two stacked blocks, the recessed portion of the top block receives and engages the raised portion of the bottom block preventing lateral movement of one block relative to the other. To interlock adjacent blocks on a common course, one end face of each block is formed with a vertically aligned tongue and the other end face is formed with a corresponding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Correa, Lorenzo Correa
  • Patent number: 7290377
    Abstract: A block connector for pre-cast building blocks comprising a top body portion to be fitted into the bottom surface groove of an upper block and a bottom body portion to be fitted into the top surface groove of a lower block. The top and bottom body portions define three pairs of lateral sides. When mounting the blocks about first pair of lateral sides no offset between the blocks is provided. When mounting the blocks about the second pair of lateral sides, an offset is provided. When mounting the blocks about the third pair of lateral sides, an offset is provided that is greater than the offset of the second pair of lateral sides. A kit for building walls including a plurality of these blocks and block connectors is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rocvale Produits de Beton Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7270497
    Abstract: A cluster of paving elements is formed with a peripheral edge having a re-entrant formation formed between the upper supporting surface and the lower, supported surface. The formation engages a complimentary formation on an adjacent cluster to inhibit relative movement between the clusters. The re-entrant formation may be applied to individual paving elements in the cluster or to the exposed faces of the elements at the periphery of the cluster. The elements in the cluster may be shaped to inter-engage to inhibit relative movement between the elements with in the cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: F. von Langsdorff Licensing Limited
    Inventor: Harald Von Langsdorff
  • Patent number: 7244079
    Abstract: A retaining wall system is comprised of a plurality of courses of side-by-side parallelogram front face patterns, each parallelogram front face pattern formed by first and second rows of a plurality of quadrilateral face patterns. The first and second rows of the plurality of quadrilateral face patterns have the same width and collectively define a height of the parallelogram front face pattern, with each of the parallelogram front face patterns having the same height. The quadrilateral face patterns in the first row have a width different than that of the quadrilateral face patterns in the second row. Each parallelogram front face pattern in a first course overlies two parallelogram front face patterns in an immediately adjacent course. The combination of off-sets of the quadrilateral face patterns in each parallelogram front face pattern and overlapping of parallelogram face patterns in adjacent courses creates a retaining wall having a non-uniform appearance of a natural stone wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kiltie Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Blomquist, Todd P. Strand
  • Patent number: 7243468
    Abstract: The present application discloses curb components that represent various shapes of glass blocks to be used in the construction of a curb for a glass block wall, along with a system and method for laying out the curb components. The curb components can be fitted together to lay out the positioning of glass blocks, such that a user can lay out potential designs for glass block walls prior to constructing the glass block wall. Connection mechanisms are used, which enable a variety of joint sizes, as well as angled joints to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Seattle Glass Block
    Inventor: Brian Wright
  • 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: 7174687
    Abstract: Generally, the invention is a dry stack building block for constructing a masonry wall. The dry stack unit has a front section having an outer surface, an inner surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface. The dry stack unit also has a rear section substantially parallel to the front section having an outer surface, an inner surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface. Two or more webs coupling the inner surface of the front section to the inner surface of the rear section have a top surface and a bottom surface. Two or more pairs of lugs may extend above the top surface of the front section and the top surface of the rear section. Each pair of lugs may have a first lug offset from a second lug in an axis perpendicular to the inner surfaces of the front section and the back section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: FSN Research LLC
    Inventor: Alan C. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7168218
    Abstract: Concrete molded fence blocks are provided having cores for receiving mortar or aggregate, and pin openings for receiving pins that interlock and align abutting courses of blocks in a fence block system. Groups of a column of blocks form a column support. Standard blocks are provided as spans between the column supports. Column blocks provide additional structural integrity to the fence system, and are larger in comparison to the standard blocks. The leading and trailing edges of the standard blocks have complimentary shapes to provide further interlocking capability between individual blocks. Various types of column blocks are provided for managing the layout of a particular fence system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: David Stalder Spratlen, David Stalder Spratlen, II
  • Patent number: 7159367
    Abstract: A simulated masonry module, made of blow molded plastic, has a hollow box-like body with a heavily textured front and top. Modules are pin-connected to each other at interleaving ends, which preferably comprise a slot mortise and tenon which fit closely, so that rotation about the pin is prevented. Modules may be stacked, to form assemblies simulating a masonry wall, and to form an enclosure suited to contain soil or water in a tub-like liner. Sand or other material may be put inside the modules through a rear access port, to add mass and stability. The bottom of a module has sculpting, to loosely fit and interlock with the contour of the top of a like-module, when modules are stacked, so the horizontal joint is unobtrusive. A spike, used for connecting module ends, is retained in a shaped groove on the rear of the module, to enable convenient shipment of a module and spike combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: John King
  • Patent number: 7131243
    Abstract: A hinged plate is provided for pivotally attaching a pair of lumber members together in a double-hinged manner. A building truss incorporating the double-hinged plate is provided which can be assembled and erected in a facilitated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Forest Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Sirowatka
  • Patent number: 7125203
    Abstract: A retaining wall and block are described herein for use in landscaping, gardening and the like. The block is formed from concrete and has an uneven face to replicate layers of flat stone. An elongated groove in the top of each block provides for reception of mating studs of upper contiguous blocks. The elongated groove is sized to allow the blocks to be turned and moved depending on the type and design of the particular wall being constructed. The ends of the blocks are biased to allow easy rotation and placement when building a curved or circular wall. A filler is provided for placement within the elongated groove of the blocks in the top tier of the retaining wall to provide for a smooth, flush surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: M. Todd Evans
  • Patent number: 7096635
    Abstract: A retaining wall with a series of differently sized, pre-formed blocks. Each block includes a projection and a recess, with the projection and recess arranged and configured so that each projection effectively engages a recess in an adjacent course to connect and align adjacent courses in registry. Retaining walls made of horizontal blocks may be stacked in columnar fashion or running bond fashion. The location of the indexing surface on a projection relative to the viewable surface of the block may be varied to enable adjacent courses to be coplanar or tiered in a variety of predetermined offset distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Price, Gerald P. Price
  • Patent number: 7073984
    Abstract: A precast concrete retaining wall construction element for retaining a soil mass in a railway installation or the like includes an upstanding solid face panel having the shape of a hexahedron where a rectangular front wall and an integral stem. The front wall defines an area of between about 18.75 and 75 square feet and wherein the ratio of the width of the face panel to its height is between about 0.75 to about 3.0. A reinforced element including an upward extension, an improved shear key and stacked arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Neel Company
    Inventors: John M. Carey, Thomas C. Neel
  • 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: 7069701
    Abstract: An improved groundwork frame comprises a protruded bar each disposed in the middle of the top of an upper board and a lower board; an embedding groove being disposed in the middle of the bottom of the groundwork frame and corresponsive to the protruded bar; an upper groove and a lower groove respectively disposed on both sides of each floor board to define an embedded assembly; an opening being disposed on each corresponding edge of adjacent boards; an elastic clamp for clipping and securing the groundwork frame, and each floor board having a chamber; a screw hole and an adjusting screw hole being disposed on both sides of the chamber, such that the lower board on the floor being sheathed in the latch and an adjusting screw rod for adjusting the floor to an appropriate height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Yueh-Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 7059808
    Abstract: A segmental earth retaining wall block having a front side, a top side with a transversal tongue of a given width projecting from it, the tongue extending at a first distance from the front side, and a bottom side with a transversal groove made in it, the groove being sized to receive the tongue of another similar block positioned below and thus to allow stacking of the blocks. The groove extends at a second distance from the front side that is smaller than the first distance, and the first and second distances are selected so that the tongue and the groove are offset with respect to each other over a distance that is smaller than the width of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Jagna Ltd.
    Inventor: Angelo Risi
  • Patent number: 7037047
    Abstract: Concrete blocks configured for use in forming retaining walls that require the use of rebar and grout to structurally anchor a retaining wall to a foundation. The blocks include first and second core openings extending through the blocks. The core openings are configured so that when the blocks are stacked into courses with other blocks, the core openings of the blocks line up in a manner that allow rebar to extend through the core openings from the foundation to the top of the retaining wall. Further, the core openings facilitate pouring of the grout down through the aligned core openings. In addition, the core openings are configured so that the core openings do not overhang joints between blocks or overhang block edges that would allow grout to leak out as grout is being poured down the core openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Tufts, Robert J. Lundell
  • Patent number: 6993878
    Abstract: The invention relates to modular building blocks with the minimal possible number of types which can be used for construction of buildings or other structures. The block has cellular structure defined by through openings made in the block body. The number of cells depends on the number of through holes. Each block has an upper and inner insert made of a heat/cold-insulation material and inserted into through openings of the hollow block. The inserts, in turn, have through holes and recesses arranged so that after the blocks with inserts are assembled into a building or a structure, the openings and the recesses in the inserts form a continuous lattice-like space suitable for pouring concrete or another hardenable material which after curing form a load-carrying lattice-like framework of the building or the structure. Thus, the inserts are used as formwork-elements for pouring the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Yuriy Prokofyev
  • Patent number: 6978580
    Abstract: A plurality of solid core concrete blocks used in forming a retaining wall. The retaining wall can be used in building construction, road construction, landscaping, hillside erosion control, gardens, and like applications. Also, the retaining wall can be a straight wall, an angled wall or a curved wall depending on the application. Each of the blocks includes a vertical front face and rear face, a horizontal top and bottom and a vertical first side and second side. The first side includes a first ear and two sides of an angular first notch next to the first ear. One side of the first notch is parallel to a length of the front and rear faces and forms a side of the first ear. A second side of the first notch is disposed inwardly into the block and at an angle of 10 to 45 degrees from a horizontal line perpendicular to a length of the front and rear faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Ryan Clark, Lawrence J. Hug, Michael J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6962028
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of masonry article comprises a contoured first header, a contoured second header, a contoured front face, a back face, a contoured lower base and an upper base. The plurality of masonry articles has a plurality of holes extending from the lower base to the upper base. The contoured first header couples to the contoured second header of another plurality of masonry articles and the contoured lower base couples to the upper base of the other plurality of masonry articles so that an outward face of a portion of a wall assembled with the plurality of masonry articles has a mortar-like vertically oriented gap and a mortar-like horizontally oriented gap. A plurality of corner masonry article and plurality of alternative corner masonry articles similar to the plurality of masonry articles permit assembly of a portion of a corner section of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Aldo Banova
  • Patent number: 6960048
    Abstract: A modular retaining wall system uses a plurality of different sized masonry blocks to form uniform sized modules for constructing a segmented retaining wall. Each module has the same overall dimensions of height, width and depth, while the masonry blocks used to define the module vary in size and shape. Walls or structure faces have vertical or vertically set back surfaces are possible, using interlocking pins, channels and pin holes. A pin having an adjustable length is provided to accommodate masonry blocks of varying height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kiltie Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Blomquist, Todd P. Strand
  • Patent number: 6953309
    Abstract: A concrete retaining wall block provided with integral indicators that indicate the batter that will result from constructing a retaining wall of a multiplicity of the blocks. The indicators for indicating the batter are preferably one or more indentations formed in a surface of the block other than the front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Tufts, Michael S. Lidbom