Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.
Abstract: An edging unit comprises a structure having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the opposed top and bottom surfaces, and opposed first and second end surfaces extending between the opposed top and bottom surfaces and between the first and second side surfaces. The top surface comprises at least one pair of opposed segments. Each pair of segments includes first and second segments respectively opposing one another with respect to a center of the edging unit. The first segment defines a first upward or downward slope between the first side surface and the second side surface and the second segment defines a second upward or downward slope between the first side surface and the second side surface generally opposite in direction to the first slope.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 2016
Date of Patent:
December 5, 2017
Assignee:
KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 23, 2016
Date of Patent:
December 5, 2017
Assignee:
KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
Abstract: A block has a front face with a first surface of non-planar roughness including at least 10% and not more than 90% of the area of the front face. The front face includes a second surface that is even and generally planar, with at least 10% and not more than 90% of the area of the front face. In one example, the first surface is a split face, and the second surface is a burnished split face. In another example, the first surface is a molded face, and the second surface is burnished. Methods of making a block include molding, curing, in some implementations splitting, and then burnishing. Walls can be constructed from these blocks.
Abstract: A sound barrier wall has a plurality of footings spaced apart and vertical “I” beam wall stiffeners mounted to the footings. Alternatively, the vertical wall stiffeners are mounted to a crash barrier. A horizontal wall stiffener can be disposed between the adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. A plurality of wall panels is vertically stacked between adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. Each wall panel includes a sound insulating block, and plurality of support members disposed on opposite sides of the sound insulating block for providing structural support. Each support member has a head portion in contact with a surface of the sound insulating block and a stem portion extending into the sound insulating block. An “I” beam can be disposed between the vertically stacked wall panels. A top cap is mounted over the vertically stacked wall panels and protective layer is formed over the wall panels and vertical wall stiffeners.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 12, 2017
Publication date:
September 28, 2017
Applicant:
Mute Wall Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Keith A. Sanders, Donald J. Parks, James L. Beavers, JR.
Abstract: A multi-use block including a block body having at least a first leg. The blocks can be placed in different orientations with respect to each other to form multiple interlocking structures. The block can be a variety of materials, including concrete, and when concrete, used for making walls and columns. Methods of making and methods of use are provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 15, 2016
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2017
Assignee:
Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Jay J. Johnson, Robert B. Burnquist, Steven Paul Bennett
Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 11, 2016
Date of Patent:
August 29, 2017
Assignee:
Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert Joel Wolter, Robert B. Burnquist, Harrison John Brown, Dale A. Buker, Jay J. Johnson
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2017
Assignee:
KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
Inventors:
Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
Abstract: A detection system for detecting a residential pest, the detection system may include a housing, a vibration sensor that is configured to sense vibration signals; a processor that is configured to process the vibration signals and detect residential pest activities; a coupler that once connected to a metal-including element of a resident vibrationally couples the metal-including element to the vibration sensor.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 22, 2016
Date of Patent:
August 15, 2017
Assignee:
Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
Inventors:
Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
Abstract: A sound barrier wall has a plurality of footings spaced apart and vertical “I” beam wall stiffeners mounted to the footings. Alternatively, the vertical wall stiffeners are mounted to a crash barrier. A horizontal wall stiffener can be disposed between the adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. A plurality of wall panels is vertically stacked between adjacent vertical wall stiffeners. Each wall panel includes a sound insulating block, and plurality of support members disposed on opposite sides of the sound insulating block for providing structural support. Each support member has a head portion in contact with a surface of the sound insulating block and a stem portion extending into the sound insulating block. An “I” beam can be disposed between the vertically stacked wall panels. A top cap is mounted over the vertically stacked wall panels and protective layer is formed over the wall panels and vertical wall stiffeners.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 9, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 18, 2017
Assignee:
Mute Wall Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Keith A. Sanders, Donald J. Parks, James L. Beavers, Jr.
Abstract: A building board is finished in a first processing station via laterally operating processing means, where-in a first edge strip is glued along a first edge side of body element of the building board. In a second processing station a primary surface layer is glued, by vertically operating processing means, to cover the entire primary main side and the primary side of the first edge stripe. Thereafter, a vertical pressure is applied over the body element and the first edge stripe across a working direction while the body element and the first edge stripe pass the second processing station in such a manner that a primary side of the first edge stripe is brought in level with a primary main side of the body element when passing the second processing station.
Abstract: An insulator for holding an electrifiable wire includes a base, a first connecting portion provided on a first end of the base, and a second connecting portion provided on a second end of the base. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may be movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position.