Grooves On Juncture Face Patents (Class 52/605)
  • Patent number: 11591791
    Abstract: A masonry block system that includes a stretcher block and a half block, each block having connector means for interlocking with an adjacent block, the blocks being constructed in a such a manner as to enable quick and easy assembly of a building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Genest, Matthew Genest
  • Patent number: 11391042
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dry stacking system (1) comprising: bricks (2, 3, 4, 5, 27, 29), with a flat top face (8) and a flat bottom face (9) in which a groove (14, 15) is provided in the length direction; a wall tie (6); and an anchoring clamping element (7) which can be attached to the wall tie (6) and in adjacent grooves (14, 15) of a top-stacked brick (2, 3, 4, 5, 27, 29) and a corresponding under-stacked brick (2, 3, 4, 5); wherein at least one brick (2, 29) as an anchoring brick (2, 29) has one or more recesses (16) in its top face (8) and/or its bottom face (9) for receiving the wall tie (6) therein, wherein each recess (16) extends from a rear face (10) to beyond the corresponding groove (14). The invention also concerns an anchoring brick (2, 29) for such a dry stacking system (1), a facade (26) erected therewith, and a method for erecting such a facade (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Gert Jan Den Daas, Walter Bierens, Stef Van Ham, Sebastian Van Droogenbroeck, Rob Van Der Pluijm, Rob Mulder
  • Patent number: 11384539
    Abstract: A masonry block that is particularly well suited for the construction of narrow walls, such as interior building walls, that is adapted to receive conventional utilities and reinforcing supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher R. Genest, Matthew M. Genest
  • Patent number: 11280056
    Abstract: Multi-oriented segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods related thereto are disclosed. The wall block may be a concrete masonry block used for constructing retaining walls. The wall block may include a front face; a rear cavity opposing the front 5 face and formed by an inner rear face, an outer rear face on three sides of the inner rear face and spaced apart therefrom, and a shelf defined therein by the inner rear face and the outer rear face; a troughed top face residing between the front face and the outer rear face; a flat bottom face opposing the troughed top face; a first side face residing between the front face and the outer rear face, and between the troughed top face and the flat bottom face; a second side face opposing the first side face; a trough running along the length of the troughed top face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tensar International Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Luptak, Aaron D. Smith, Andres F. Peralta, Willie Liew
  • Patent number: 10538916
    Abstract: Lightweight masonry hollow bricks of a substantially rectangular cuboid shape having central cavities and side indentations. A concrete composition of the masonry hollow bricks includes cement, water, sand, a coarse aggregate, and an insulating material, e.g. perlite, polyethylene, crumb rubber. The developed masonry hollow bricks met the ASTM requirements for non-load bearing masonry bricks in addition to satisfying the ASTM standard as being lightweight masonry bricks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Omar Saeed M. Baghabra Al-Amoudi, Mohammed Ali Mohammed Al-Osta, Ahmed Salem Bark Al-Tamimi
  • Patent number: 10358819
    Abstract: A construction block comprising: two or more support members each of which has a first face and a second face opposite the first face and comprises a hollow between the first and second faces, said hollow having openings facing in a direction transverse to a direction normal to the first and second faces, said opening configured for receiving at least a portion of a tenon element allowing two such construction blocks to be assembled; a frame arrangement connecting the support members to each other, said frame arrangement having external segment(s) extending from at least one of the first and second faces in a direction away from the hollow; a first panel conterminous with the first faces; and a second panel conterminous with the second faces; wherein at least a portion of the external segment of the frame arrangement is contained within one of the first and second panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Yonathan Tanami
  • Patent number: 9387983
    Abstract: A modular liquid dam having a plurality of individual elongated members that can be assembled in an end-to-end relationship to form a temporary liquid retainer or diverter on a substrate surface. The dam members are provided with one or more longitudinal bores or passages that reduce the amount of material in each member. The bores may extend completely through the dam member, may be internal bores closed off at each end, or may be bore segments intermittently spaced within the dam member. Preferably the bore members are open on at least one end of the dam member such that a stiffener rod or rods of varying rigidity may be inserted to increase and vary the rigidity of the dam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: Michael M. Happy, Mark D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9021761
    Abstract: A building unit including upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces defining a generally trapezoidal shape in plan view. The unit includes a first pair of the side surfaces, located on opposite sides of the unit and extending non-linearly and generally obliquely with respect to each other in plan view, where each side surface of the first pair has a midpoint bisecting it into two portions. The portions on each side of the midpoint are a 180° rotational image of the other portion about the midpoint. One side surface of the first pair is longer than the other, and the longer side surface includes a midsection of the same length and configuration as the other, shorter side surface. Each of the shorter and longer side surfaces interlocks with either the shorter or longer side surface of another like building unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8950149
    Abstract: In a concrete structure, consisting of at least two upright precast concrete elements (1, 1?), it is intended to develop the butt joints between the precast concrete elements in such a way that forces can be absorbed better in at least two directions. For this purpose, it is proposed that at least two tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9; 5, 10) are provided in the region of at least one butt joint (2, 2?) between the precast concrete elements (1, 1?), wherein one of the tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9) is arranged such that it is turned with respect to the second tongue-and-groove connection (5, 10) in a range between about 1° and about 179°, and wherein the butt joint (2, 2?) is of an offset form, and the tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9; 5, 10) are provided in the regions of the offset that run substantially parallel to the surface (3) of the precast concrete elements (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Droessler GmbH Umwelttechnik
    Inventor: Michael Stahl
  • Patent number: 8887466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for constructing walls using blocks equipped with coupling means, comprising blocks having: ridges that fit into grooves, bases that fit into channels, cavities for the flow of adhesive, notches in which ducts for installations are located, perforations for reinforcing the wall with post-tensioned cable or rebar, provisions for building frames for doors or windows, and tunnels for housing piers, among other elements, which together allow a wall to be constructed without skilled labor, saving materials and reducing construction time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Arturo Ramon Alvarez Moysen
  • Patent number: 8887469
    Abstract: A wall block comprises an upper surface and an opposed lower surface. A front face and an opposed back face, and a first side face and an opposed second side face, are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side face and the second side face generally extend from the front face to the back face. The block includes one or more features that define a horizontal alignment direction. The front face extends from the first side face to the second side face generally along a direction that is slanted with respect to the horizontal alignment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • 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 Spólka z o.o.
    Inventors: Jerzy Haintze, Andrzej Haintze
  • Patent number: 8863476
    Abstract: A mortar-less building block system including interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, truss brackets, and insulation member disposed exterior to the block; the block having a front face and a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess side face all connected to form the building block; the front face and the back face each have a pair of longitudinal recesses, the top face having a pair of longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of the front face and the back face, and the top face further having a transverse recess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersection points; the recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess of the top face, and the protrusion side face having a transverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the building block; the bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Summers
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 8863465
    Abstract: A segmental wall block system including one or more a face units and one or more anchoring units. The face units each have a front face and a rear face and one or more channels formed in the rear face, the channels extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of the face unit along a face unit height. The anchoring units each have a first connector on a first end and a second connector on a second end. The first and second connectors are sized to slide into and be interlocked with the channels of the face unit. The distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the anchoring unit forms its height, which is approximately uniform and is approximately one half of the height of the face unit. The anchoring units may also include one or more grooves on the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Allan Block, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • Patent number: 8839593
    Abstract: A decorative column comprising a rigid center post, a plurality of pre-cast pieces with each piece having a hole extending therethrough so the pre-cast piece slides onto the center post and remains in place on the center post. Each pre-cast piece being stacked upon another pre-cast piece, the pre-cast pieces being of a predefined shape, and a compressible center core liner filling a portion of the hole of the pre-cast piece. The compressible center core including a cutout shape consistent with the cross sectional shape of the rigid center post thereby allowing passage of the center post through the compressible center core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ply Gem Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Barrett, Derek Zimmerman, David Jacobson, Randy Quaintance, John C Purvis
  • Publication number: 20140250819
    Abstract: The wall building system and method uses a block for building walls and other structures. The block is formed with an external face member and an internal face member connected by an inner core, which has an outer surface formed with a concave profile. The block is fabricated in one piece to enhance strength and stability. Each face is provided with a continuous groove therearound. The continuous grooves are adapted to receive locking elements therein to interlock the blocks. Utilizing a locking element eliminates the need for binding compounds, such as mortar, thereby greatly reducing labor and material costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: MOHAMMAD A. H. S. H. ABDULLAH, HAMAD S. H. S. HUSAIN
  • Patent number: 8820024
    Abstract: The wall building system and method uses a block for building walls and other structures. The block is formed with an external face member and an internal face member connected by an inner core, which has an outer surface formed with a concave profile. The block is fabricated in one piece to enhance strength and stability. Each face is provided with a continuous groove therearound. The continuous grooves are adapted to receive locking elements therein to interlock the blocks. Utilizing a locking element eliminates the need for binding compounds, such as mortar, thereby greatly reducing labor and material costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Mohammad A. H. S. H. Abdullah, Hamad S. H. S. Husain
  • 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: 8745953
    Abstract: Retaining wall building blocks for receiving fill material during construction of a retaining wall, retaining walls constructed with the building blocks and methods of manufacture of the building block wherein the block comprises a cast cement body having a base, a generally upright face wall extending upward from the base, two generally upright side walls extending upward from the base and generally rearward of the face wall, the base, upright face wall, and side walls each having an inner and an outer surface, the side walls each having a top and a rearward most end, and a fill receiving cavity defined by base inner surface, side wall inner surfaces and face wall inner surface for receiving fill material, the fill receiving cavity having a volume wherein a ratio of the volume of the fill receiving cavity to the volume of the retaining wall building block is at least 0.75:1, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Smart Slope, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Woolbright
  • Patent number: 8733051
    Abstract: A building block assembly is provided comprising a building block and a seal. In one embodiment, the building block comprises a first surface, and the first surface has a groove. The seal is movable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the seal is retracted into the groove, and in the second position the seal is extended outside the groove. In another embodiment, the seal is connected to the building block, and the seal at least partially encases a fluid sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Rampf Molds Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Griffith
  • Patent number: 8707652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a building block serving as a mold when carrying out civil engineering and construction works and forming an external appearance of a structure, a building structure and a method of bricking a wall using the same. The building block comprises first and second exterior walls facing each other and spacing from each other in back and forth directions, and a connecting portion connecting the first and second exterior walls to each other and having an upper portion provided with a first mounting groove for mounting a width-directional reinforcing bar. Here, concavo-convex coupling portions are formed at inner peripheries of the first and second exterior walls, for concavo-convexly coupling to each adjacent block, and here, leakage preventing recesses are respectively formed at outer peripheries of the first and second exterior walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Kyu-Hue Kim, Kang-Suck Kim
  • Patent number: 8677713
    Abstract: A wall member useful in forming a wall panel system includes a pair of outer walls held spaced apart and fixed together at a pair of opposed side edges, one of the side edges being provided with a first connecting structure and the other of the side edges being provided with a second connecting structure. The first and second connecting structure includes a number of projections secured to and extending outwardly from the side edges and constructed with snap fit elements separately located from the outer walls. The wall member is adapted to be joined to an adjacently disposed wall member of similar structure by direct snap fit mating engagement between one of the first and second connecting structure at one of the second edges of the wall member and the other of the first and second connecting structure on a facing side edge of the adjacently disposed wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: EPI 04, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory R. Sheehy
  • Patent number: 8671640
    Abstract: A plurality of adjacent, aligned, shaped hollow uniform building components, each having four separate distinct key channels are assembled together with a plurality of friction fitting locking keys to accomplish at least three separate distinct locks which become uniform whole friction fitting structural buildings upon alignment of like side surfaces or like end surfaces of uniform building components, together with friction fitting insertion and alignment of one of four separate and distinct shaped uniform bridge keys, then friction fit insertion of the primary locking keys into and through the primary key channels of adjacent and/or abutting uniform building components and uniform bridge keys, thereby rapidly achieving the primary lock and key joint, being the primary finished bonded joint and the primary lock of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Keith E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8656678
    Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8590254
    Abstract: A deck block adapted to be interconnected with other deck blocks to form an insulating deck for casting concrete. The deck block comprising a foam panel at least one hole extending into the panel from the one end toward an opposing end such that the hole has an open end and a closed end. At least one protrusion extends from the panel and the protrusion is matingly receivable in at least a portion of a hole of a like panel to interconnect the panels in an end-to-end relationship. The panel has a vertical groove extending from a bottom surface and intersecting the opening of the panel to provide a fluid flow channel from the opening to the bottom surface of the panel when the like panels are interconnected. The protrusion has a horizontal groove extending along a lower end thereof from a distal end of the protrusion to a proximal end thereof so as to intersect the vertical groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Buildblock Building Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Garrett
  • Patent number: 8549811
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides an interlocking masonry block including a rear face, a front face, at least one aperture extending vertically through said block for receiving a flowable concrete mixture used in core filling, and at least one generally vertical side being registerable with an opposing side of an abutting block to inhibit movement of said flowable concrete out through a vertical interface between said blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ADBRI Masonry Pty Ltd
    Inventor: John Kenneth Dyson
  • Patent number: 8448396
    Abstract: A laminated insulated timber is described possessing a laminate essentially composed of plurality of side planks, a top plank and a bottom plank that box in an insulation member. The planks are offset relative to one another to form a tongue and groove arrangement. In this manner, other like laminated insulated timbers join together along the tongue and groove arrangements to interlock and stack, thus forming a structural wall of laminated insulated timbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: International Homes of Cedar
    Inventors: Rodney Reynaud Robertson, Thomas Jay Warren
  • Publication number: 20130118109
    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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: HCH SPOLKA Z.O.O.
    Inventors: Jerzy Haintze, Andrzej Haintze
  • Patent number: 8434971
    Abstract: Single and multiple retaining wall blocks and block systems in which the blocks are provided with a face connection system which includes at least one front lip extending from a top surface of the block and a bottom channel formed into a front face and bottom surface of the block. The front lips have a length which is equal to the width of the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Contech Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Dawson, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8425146
    Abstract: A paving block is provided that includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The side surface includes a recess extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the recess has a top opening in the top surface and a bottom opening in the bottom surface, wherein the bottom opening is larger in area than the top opening. The side surface also has at least a portion that extends inwardly into the paving block. In some cases, the side surface comprises an upper side surface section and a lower side surface section, wherein the lower side surface section extends inwardly into the paving block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Studio5051, LLC
    Inventor: Howard Merriam
  • Patent number: 8413399
    Abstract: A block combinable with other similar blocks to form a wall comprises a front surface; a top surface including a plurality of bosses, two or more of which are located adjacent each other in a direction along the front surface; and a bottom surface including a groove that has a floor. Each of the two or more bosses of the top surface includes a summit, and the summit of each define a plane. When the block is placed on another similar block such that the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of the other similar block oppose each other to form an interface region, the groove holds two or more bosses of the other similar block that are included in the other similar block's top surface, and the floor does not intersect the plane defined by the two or more bosses of the other similar block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Michael L. Kelley, Jr.
  • 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: 8201370
    Abstract: A building block assembly includes a block that has a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a front side and a back side. The block has a plurality of apertures therein extending into the top side and outwardly from the bottom side. Each of the apertures is defined by a perimeter wall. The perimeter walls of each of the apertures is cylindrically shaped and has threading grooves therein. The apertures are aligned with each other along a line orientated perpendicular to the front side and are equally spaced from the first and second lateral sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Aaron G. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 8201373
    Abstract: The liner for concrete forms is a plastic matrix for simulating the mortar grooves conventionally formed in masonry construction. The liner is placed within a concrete form, and the concrete is poured thereover. The form is removed after the concrete sets, thereby exposing the surface with the liner still remaining therein. The surface of the concrete panel may then be treated as desired to produce a surface finish resembling brick or other masonry construction, e.g., sandblasted or coated with stucco or other material, with the liner remaining in place to protect the simulated mortar grooves. Once the surface of the concrete panel has been treated as desired, the liner is removed to expose the natural concrete surface within the grooves, with this natural concrete surface closely resembling the mortar joints in a masonry wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Charles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8171693
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Aldo Banova
  • Patent number: 8133337
    Abstract: A mold core with a plurality of tension springs is placed in a mold box such that the top of the mold core is even with the top of the mold box when the plurality of tension springs have no tension. Block mix including a substantial amount of compressible material is poured into the mold and lightly vibrated. A movable bottom plate then moves downward at the same time as the mold core is moved downward a first distance to stretch the plurality of tension springs. After the mold core is moved downward the first distance, the movement of the mold core stops while the movement of the movable plate continues downward, thereby ejecting the partial block element from the mold. Block elements are cured, then glued together to form a complete block. One or both of the exterior surfaces of the block may have a wooden attachment layer attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Building Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Dardanis, Jess A. Dardanis, Kenneth M. Switzer, James A. Peeders
  • Publication number: 20120023857
    Abstract: In casting concrete retaining wall blocks, a plurality of mold inserts form a passage between top and bottom surfaces of the block, a recess in the block top between the passage and the back of the block and a recess in the bottom of the block between the passage and the back of the block. The recesses and the passage are formed by a plurality of mold inserts. When the blocks are used in a retaining wall, geogrid fabric passes from the rear of the wall through one of the recesses in a block, through the passage in the block and through the other recess in the block into backfill for stabilizing the wall. The recesses and passage are designed so that any concrete flashing formed between abutting mold inserts is not contacted by the geogrid fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Redi-Rock International, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8100608
    Abstract: A retaining wall, in particular a retaining wall (24) inclined against a soil backfill, composed of individual shaped blocks (20, 21, 22, 23), the shaped blocks (20, 21, 22, 23) being arranged one above the other in layers (30) and the shaped blocks (20, 21, 22, 23) of adjacent layers (30) each engaging in a form-fitting manner with one another in the region of upper sides (25) and lower sides (26) of the shaped blocks (20, 21, 22, 23). Provision is made according to the invention for upper sides (25) and lower sides (26) of the shaped blocks (20, 21, 22, 23) to be designed and/or oriented in such a way that when lateral pressure is exerted transversely to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the retaining wall (24), individual layers (30) can be displaced in the corresponding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SF-Kooperation GmbH Beton-Konzepte
    Inventor: Stephan Steffen
  • Patent number: 8074419
    Abstract: Non-masonry building block components, including a standard hollow-bodied block component with horizontal and vertical locking capabilities which removes the need for bonding material such as glue, mortar or other adhesives. Modified dovetails on the upper and lower surface of the building components prevent vertical movement while resistance locks on each end of the block prevent horizontal movement. Typically, use of the non-masonry building components would allow for constructing permanent or temporary structures having vertical and horizontal channels in which to allow plumbing or electrical conduit. The incorporation of materials, such as sand or similar substance, would form a bullet-resistant barrier for use in military operations. Additionally, structures formed from the block components could easily be assembled or disassembled on site without the need for skilled labor, specialized tools, demolition and clean up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: David L. Humphress, Steven N. Flinchum
  • Patent number: 7971407
    Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • 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: 7946090
    Abstract: A system of making self-aligning concrete block structures. Structure is made of interlinking blocks that have insulative foam that is affixed during the molding process. The interior surface of the blocks is specifically designed to avoid the use of interior framing by providing wooden strips such that drywall can be directly affixed. The concrete block system include top blocks, inside and outside corner blocks, and the necessary forms for their construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Herbert E. Walters, Cheryl Ann Walters
  • Patent number: 7784230
    Abstract: Block made of solid wood or pressboard that is used in, construction on the same principle as masonry blocks by staggered stacking. It is provided with two flange on its upper portion, two grooves on its lower portion, and its end assembly is produced by using splined tongue and groove joints. Two countersunk holes are on its upper portion and in the two ends in a symmetrical way. These pilot holes allow the passage of a screw or a metal point so as to link the block to the initial support or to the lower block. The assembly of the right-angle quoins makes it necessary to grind flanges over the portion of assembly only. These blocks are used in the field of construction of buildings. They quickly enhance the value of and store accidental products such as fallen trees to improve the value of the scraps from the wood industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Jacques Soux
  • Patent number: 7712281
    Abstract: The present building block has at least one load bearing surface, the load bearing surface of the block having mating interlocking portions comprising cores and protruding interlocks receivable in the cores. The blocks are configured so that each end of a block comprises a half interlock and adjacent ends of a pair of blocks in a course together define an interlock portion that interlocks with a mating full interlock portion carried by a block in an adjacent course of blocks. The basic building block has ends that are oblique such that rows having a preset radius can be formed or such that a linear row can be formed by placing one block front-to-back and an adjacent building block back-to-front. Disclosed are angle blocks with and without splitter wedges, stretcher blocks with and without splitter wedges, blocks for forming corners and posts, cap blocks, and blocks for capping posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Allan Block Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bott
  • Patent number: 7694485
    Abstract: A mortarless interlocking building block for a building block system comprising a single light-weight block of the standard building block dimensions molded from plastic and configured to be separable into three-quarter, half and one-quarter sizes for accommodating prescribed wall dimension lengths and openings, including a feature for building interconnecting right-angle walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory Siener
  • Patent number: 7677007
    Abstract: A structural configuration for rapidly assembling walls and linings of insulating firebricks and prefabricated insulating modules that aligns the bricks or modules during assembly with grooves and inserts, minimizes the amount of through joints in the completed structure, and allows the full height of each brick or module to be utilized in the completed structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: William H. Parker