Patents Assigned to Bend Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7244076
    Abstract: A method of installing paving blocks comprises preparing an area to be paved to a desired grade. A preformed, load-bearing sheet of material, e.g., extruded polystyrene, is placed on the prepared area. Paving blocks are then laid in a desired pattern on the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6871468
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlocking masonry wall block having two spaced lugs or projections and a cooperating recess or channel that enable like-shaped blocks to be stacked in a staggered relation to form straight and serpentine walls that are particularly suited for landscaping applications. In one embodiment, the lugs are located proximal the sides of the block and extend from an upper surface of the block. The channel is formed in a lower surface of the block. In another embodiment, the lugs are located at the rear corners of the block and extend below the lower surface of the block. The recess is formed in the rear end of the block between the lugs. Like-shaped blocks are stacked in a staggered relation so that each block is stacked atop two immediately lower blocks. In each embodiment, the lugs and their cooperating channel or recess define a setback dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6604319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite masonry edging or stepping block used with other like-shaped blocks to form a continuous interconnected edging pattern or stepping path that accommodates straight sections and tight bends in the pattern or path. Each block has a series of six adjoining projections around a major portion of its perimeter, and a pair of adjoining recesses along a minor portion of its perimeter. Two adjoining projections form a multi-wave protrusion. Several combinations of two adjoining projections can be used to form a number of multi-wave protrusion. Each protrusion has the same size and shape but extends in a different angular direction. The two recesses form a multi-wave indentation. The multi-wave indentation flushly receives one of the multi-wave protrusions of an adjacent block to achieve an interlocking connection in either straight or angled alignments. The structure of each block forms a flower-like pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6594959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a masonry lawn edging block assembly for a multi-grade landscape setting where the ground level of the lawn is lower than the adjacent areas. The assembly includes a plurality of like-shaped straight blocks, outside cornering blocks and like-shaped inside cornering blocks that create a border between the lawn and the adjacent area. The present invention has an L-shaped cross section that includes a vertically extending wall portion and a horizontally extending base portion. Dowels are used to connect adjacent blocks. A series of like-shaped blocks are connected in an end-to-end, end-to-side and end-to-rear arrangements to form the border. The base of each block includes a platform, and these platforms form a continuous deck upon which a conventional lawnmower can travel to cut the grass along the edging block assembly in an even manner and to the same desired height as the rest of the lawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Publication number: 20020028114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interlocking masonry wall block having an open core and spaced projections that enable stacked blocks to be interlocked, setback and staggered to form a stable gravity-type retaining wall that is particularly suited for landscaping applications. The open core extends completely through the block from top to bottom. The block is formed by front, rear and opposed side walls, each having parallel inside and outside surfaces. One projection extends from the lower surface of each side wall. The front of each projection is forward the inside surface of the front wall to provide the setback when stacked on other like-shaped blocks. Each block is stacked in a staggered manner atop two other blocks. One projection of each block is received by the open core of one of the two lower blocks. The projections abut the inside surface of the front wall of the lower blocks to interlock the blocks together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6295772
    Abstract: The modular masonry step and deck assembly consists of a plurality of like-shaped risers and a plurality of like-shaped treads that enable the assembly to have a variety of shapes, sizes and heights to provide a custom fit to a variety of buildings, mobile homes or trailers. The risers are dry stacked in a multi-tier, multi-column, multi-row arrangement to form a base of the assembly. An inwardly expanding groove is formed in each corner of each riser. When aligned flush with adjacent risers and dry stacked one atop the other in a stacked bond arrangement, the groves form a continuous vertical channel. A semi-flexible locking key is formed inside the channel to secure the risers together, but accommodate movements caused by the freezing and thawing of the ground. Four differently shaped treads are used to form the walking surface of the step and deck assembly. Each tread shape is used to form a specific portion of the walking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: 6286251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite masonry edging or stepping block used with other like-shaped blocks to form a continuous interconnected edging pattern or stepping path that accommodates straight sections and tight bends in the pattern or path. Each block has a series of six adjoining projections around a major portion of its perimeter, and a pair of adjoining recesses along a minor portion of its perimeter. Two adjoining projections form a multi-wave protrusion. Several combinations of two adjoining projections can be used to form a number of multi-wave protrusion. Each protrusion has the same size and shape but extends in a different angular direction. The two recesses form a multi-wave indentation. The multi-wave indentation flushly receives one of the multi-wave protrusions of an adjacent block to achieve an interlocking connection in either straight or angled alignments. The structure of each block forms a flower-like pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: D439676
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: D448860
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: D416093
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson
  • Patent number: D433157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Bend Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Whitson