Abstract: A concrete block includes a dry cast concrete body having opposite first and second sides, opposite first and second end faces extending between the first and second sides, and opposite first and second bearing faces extending between the first and second sides and the first and second end faces. Each of the first and second bearing faces defines an inset region sized to receive a key that will also fit into the inset region of a like block stacked thereon. The body has at least a pair of rod-receiving apertures extending completely therethrough between the first and second sides to permit attachment to a like block through the first and second sides with a rod extending through each of the apertures. The block can be tapered to form curved walls.

Abstract: A concrete block system is provided and allows for the use of a single type of non-integral connector to perform different functions in a mortarless structure, the system comprising a plurality of structural concrete blocks and a plurality of veneer units. The same connector can be used to connect veneer units to structural blocks, to retain the veneer units in different orientations; to create near vertical installations or a setback between stacked rows of structural blocks. In addition, the system provides a single structural block, which can be used for both straight portions or corners of a same structure. The structural block can also be used to create double-sided walls, with opposite lateral walls being configured to received/retain veneer units thereon.

Abstract: A cladding system for covering an exterior wall is provided. The cladding system includes a panel for assembling on the exterior wall and an anchor for securing the panel to the exterior wall. The panel has a body with channels formed on a rear side thereof for draining water on an interior surface of the channel which is spaced away from the exterior wall. The anchor comprises tabs for fitting in to the channels and preventing a pull-out and/or a push-in of the panel relative to the exterior wall. The anchor cooperates with the panel to direct water into the drainage channels, and to define a continuous drainage path from top to bottom of the cladding system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wall assembly including preformed building blocks and a trellis type support member for maintaining the building blocks in place in the desired orientation. The wall assembly further includes at least one support for holding the trellis upright. The individual blocks are connected to the supporting trellis for added stability. Although not every block in the wall need be connected to the trellis support member in order to achieve the desired added stability, it is preferred to connect each block in the wall to the trellis. Connectors are provided for connecting the blocks to the trellis. Each block preferably is connected to the trellis by at least one connector, most preferably by a pair of connectors. To accommodate relative movement or shifting of the blocks during installation and in situ, the connectors are preferably movably connected to the trellis or the block, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a double sided wall using facing panels having a face surface and a back surface with a retaining structure. The facing panels are stacked in a back-to-back arrangement into a pair of first and second wall components connected by separate articulated connectors. The articulated connectors each have a first base connector that fits into a respective retaining groove in the first wall component and a second base connector that fits into a respective retaining groove of the second wall component. The first and second base connectors are connected to each other by a link that forms a first pivot joint at the first base connector and a second pivot joint at the second base connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wall assembly including preformed building blocks and a trellis type support member for maintaining the building blocks in place in the desired orientation. The wall assembly further includes at least one support for holding the trellis upright. The individual blocks are connected to the supporting trellis for added stability. Although not every block in the wall need be connected to the trellis support member in order to achieve the desired added stability, it is preferred to connect each block in the wall to the trellis. Connectors are provided for connecting the blocks to the trellis. Each block preferably is connected to the trellis by at least one connector, most preferably by a pair of connectors. To accommodate relative movement or shifting of the blocks during installation and in situ, the connectors are preferably movably connected to the trellis or the block, or both.

Abstract: A stackable concrete wall block is disclosed having a body with an irregular front portion and a prism shaped rear portion, the irregular front portion has a three dimensional surface structure embossed in the front face providing the appearance of natural stone and the regular rear portion facilitating stacking of like blocks. The rear portion has parallel sidewalls perpendicular to a rear wall, which are more easily manufactured by dry casting than tapered sidewalls. A lip protrudes from at least one of the sidewalls of the rear portion and is coplanar with the front face for spacing the body of the block from that of a like block placed adjacent thereto. The lateral lip generates spacing between adjacent blocks at a back terminal edge, thereby allowing the assembly of curved walls. The irregular front face extends over the lip so that the front face is continuous over the lip.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a double sided wall having a corner or closed end using facing panels having a face surface and a back surface with a retaining structure. The facing panels are stacked in a back-to-back arrangement into a pair of first and second wall components bridged by separate connectors. An end wall component forming an end or corner of the wall includes facing panels stacked to extend across the intermediate space. A branched connector and link are used for bridging a concrete facing panel in the end wall component with an adjacent concrete facing panel of the first or second wall component. The branched connector has a first connecting end and an opposite branched end with at least a pair of second connecting ends for attachment to the retaining structure of the adjacent facing panel and the link has a first end for attachment to a facing panel in the end wall component and a second end for linking to the branched connector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wall assembly including preformed building blocks and a trellis type support member for maintaining the building blocks in place in the desired orientation. The wall assembly further includes at least one support for holding the trellis upright. The individual blocks are connected to the supporting trellis for added stability. Although not every block in the wall need be connected to the trellis support member in order to achieve the desired added stability, it is preferred to connect each block in the wall to the trellis. Connectors are provided for connecting the blocks to the trellis. Each block preferably is connected to the trellis by at least one connector, most preferably by a pair of connectors. To accommodate relative movement or shifting of the blocks during installation and in situ, the connectors are preferably movably connected to the trellis or the block, or both.

Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using backer blocks and facing blocks which are stacked into continuous front and back wall components connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. The facing blocks, connectors and filler material are all separated from the material to be retained by the backer blocks. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction both straight and curved retaining walls.

Abstract: An artificial flagstone for use in combination with other similar flagstones for covering a surface with a natural random look, the flagstone having a generally hexagonal body comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth consecutive vertices; a first pair of first and second sides extending radially from the first vertex; a second pair of third and fourth sides extending radially from the third vertex; a third pair of fifth and sixth sides extending radially from the fifth vertex; wherein the sides of at least one of the first, second and third pair of sides have at least one split deviation along their length and are respectively rotational images of each other, and the artificial flagstone has no rotational symmetry when rotated about a central axis.

Abstract: A paving slab. The paving slab has a unitary body made of concrete-based material, the body having sidewalls extending between top and bottom faces, providing the body with a thickness. The top face is provided with longitudinal false joints defining rows extending from a first to a second side of the unitary body. The first side has a staggered outline and the second side has a stepped outline, the first and second sides being able to engage with respective first and second sides of an adjacent slab shaped as the paving slab, but rotated by 180 degrees. When several of the slabs are assembled on a surface, it creates an illusion that the surface is covered by individual plank pavers randomly assembled.