Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed ate landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, and sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: A concrete masonry unit having a top surface with a splitting pattern formed therein. The splitting pattern has a splitting groove which intersects at least one recessed region formed in the top surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a family of concrete segmental retaining wall blocks, together with the related manufacturing process and molds, and retaining walls constructed of such blocks. The segmental retaining wall blocks are used to form retaining walls by dry stacking one course of blocks on another. The preferred blocks are characterized by: (a) a lower surface and a generally planar upper surface in which the upper and lower surfaces permit generally parallel alignment between the upper surface of a block and the upper surface of adjacent blocks in the next adjacent course of blocks when the blocks are stacked to form a retaining wall; (b) a downwardly projecting lip to aid in the creation of the desired setback and to facilitate positioning successive courses of blocks in a wall without the use of separate pins or mortar; (c) sidewalls which converge in a rearward direction to facilitate the construction of curved walls; and (d) a decorative front face which may be formed by splitting cured blocks.

Abstract: A mold for producing a masonry unit with a roughened texture side surface having a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a block of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and opposed, inwardly extending generally parallel upper and lower lips along at least one of said side walls, the upper lip being located at a predetermined height above the lower lip and the lower lip being located at the bottom of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A concrete masonry unit having a top surface with a splitting pattern formed therein. The splitting pattern has a splitting groove which intersects at least one recessed region formed in the top surface.

Abstract: A splitter blade assembly adapted to form split faces on concrete masonry units including: a plurality of blade sections arranged to bound an opening; and a stop positioned within the opening so as to prevent debris from lodging in the opening during a splitting operation.

Abstract: A concrete masonry unit having a top surface with a splitting pattern formed therein. The splitting pattern has a splitting groove which intersects at least one recessed region formed in the top surface.

Abstract: A mold for producing a masonry unit with a roughened texture side surface having a plurality of side walls defining a mold cavity open at its top and bottom, adapted to receive masonry fill material by way of its open top, and to discharge molded fill material in the form of a block of predetermined height by way of its open bottom; and opposed, inwardly extending generally parallel upper and lower lips along at least one of said side walls, the upper lip being located at a predetermined height above the lower lip and the lower lip being located at the bottom of the mold cavity.

Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of using a masonry block mold includes the steps of loading the mold with block fill through the top of a cavity formed in the mold, drawing excess block fill from the top of the cavity, compressing the block fill within the mold with a compression head moving into the cavity from top to bottom of the cavity. The mold includes opposing sidewalls which each have at least one step formed on their respective top edge to retain additional block fill proximate thereto and assist in the formation of a flange or other structural feature on the formed masonry block.

Abstract: The present invention includes landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of composite masonry blocks, the composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.

Abstract: The invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part extends from the block front surface towards the block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in relationship to the block front surface, the sidewall second part surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.