Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. Multiple block embodiments with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance.

Abstract: A structural wall unit system includes a plurality of wall units having at least one face being a rotational tessellation. The face has at least two irregular sides extending therefrom. Each side of the wall units have at least one spacer or connector configured to engage other wall units. The structural wall unit system also includes a plurality of starter course units, where each starter course unit has a portion of a primary rotational tessellation element having at least one irregularly shaped side that is an image of the first side or the third side. Each irregularly shaped side of the starter course units have at least one spacer or connector configured to engage the wall units, and the starter course units have at least one straight side. The starter course units and the wall units are configured for assembly as a structural wall having a natural, random appearance.

Abstract: An irregular trapezoidal structural unit configured to be arranged with other like units in courses to form a structure comprises opposing upper and lower surfaces, opposing irregular front and rear faces, and irregular opposed side faces. The side faces each include a general S-shape mating section that are translated images of each other such that each side of the unit will mate with either side face of another like unit. The front and rear faces optionally include S-shaped mating sections that are translated images of each other. Structures are formed in courses by arranging units side to side along a line to form at least a first course, wherein adjacent side faces mate and interlock. Optionally, a second course is disposed laterally adjacent the first course wherein adjacent front and rear faces mate and interlock. Additional courses can be added on top of the other courses forming wall structures.

Abstract: A connection surface disposed on a face of a structural unit comprises a first segment having a three dimensional surface profile including a plurality of positive outer surfaces extending outwardly along a normal direction from a plane and a plurality of negative outer surfaces extending inwardly along the normal direction from the plane, wherein at least two of the plurality of positive outer surfaces are separated from one another along both vertical and horizontal directions and at least two of the plurality of negative outer surfaces are separated from one another along vertical and horizontal directions. A second segment opposes the first segment with respect to an axis, wherein the second segment is a substantial reflection of the first segment across the axis, but reversed along the normal direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a block splitter assembly comprising first lower and second upper opposed splitter blade assemblies. The splitter blade assemblies have a splitting blade and two or more first forming blades. One forming blade is disposed to the right of and one forming blade is disposed to the left of the first splitting blade. The forming blades have forming edges. The splitting blade has a splitting edge that is straight, and the splitting blade has a greater maximum vertical dimension than the maximum vertical dimension of the forming blades. The splitting edge of the first splitting blade is opposed to the splitting edge of the second splitting blade.

Abstract: A retaining wall having a plurality of courses of retaining wall blocks including a first upper course and a second lower course. Each retaining wall block has opposed front and rear faces, opposed first and second side surfaces, and opposed and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and at least one weight bearing pad extends from one of the upper and lower surfaces. The at least one weight bearing pad extends substantially from the rear face to the front face of the block. The weight bearing pads are the only areas of contact between the blocks in the first upper course and the blocks in the second lower course.

Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed in a mold box by a single forming member.

Abstract: The invention provides a block splitter device comprising first lower and second upper opposed block splitter assemblies. The block splitter assemblies have first and second forming edges that extend at least the majority of the distance from a first end to a second end of the block splitter assembly and have first ends disposed near a median split plane and second ends disposed further away from the median split plane than the first ends. Methods of using the block splitter device are described.

Abstract: A retaining wall having a plurality of courses of retaining wall blocks including a first upper course and a second lower course. Each retaining wall block has opposed front and rear faces, opposed first and second side surfaces, and opposed and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces, and at least one weight bearing pad extends from one of the upper and lower surfaces. The at least one weight bearing pad extends substantially from the rear face to the front face of the block. The weight bearing pads are the only areas of contact between the blocks in the first upper course and the blocks in the second lower course.

Abstract: A block suitable for use in paving, edging or wall applications comprises a lower portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a first width, and an upper portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a second width. The second width is smaller than the first width of the lower portion, and the side faces of the upper portion are angled relative to the side faces of the lower portion. The block further comprises a transition portion between the upper and lower portions, having at least one slanted side extending between one or more sides of the lower portion and one or more sides, respectively, of the upper portion.

Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed in a mold box by a single forming member.

Abstract: A landscaping block having a block body with at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer projection extending outwardly from each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The patio block having at least one spacer locator positioned along each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The at least one spacer locator positioned along each side surface has a retaining surface shaped to receive a spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface.