Abstract: A mold designed to be operated easily by one person to form large blocks. Generally, the walls of the mold are attached to the base with a pivoting assembly such that the walls of the mold fall away from the molded material after hardening. Levers and fulcrums of various designs are used to facilitate the mold wall movements. Additionally, quick release and tightening mechanisms are used to secure the mold walls. Also, the wall of the mold can be designed to incorporate patterns such that the blocks formed in the molds can interlock when stacked, forming a very sturdy wall. Further, specially designed inserts can be utilized to quickly modify the mold.

Abstract: A generally rectangular structural block has a central ridge which extends along the top of the block and stops short of its end faces. In the bottom face are two grooves, one aligned with the ridge, the other at a right angle and intersecting in the middle of the bottom face. The groove aligned with the ridge extends from end-to-end of the block, the intersecting groove stops short of one side face of the block. The grooves are dimensioned so as to mate with a ridge dimensioned like that on the top face. Two or more such blocks can be made as a permanently joined unit, their ridges in line with each other, and the side faces at which the intersecting grooves stop short located on the same side of the unit. Single-block and multi-block units are laid up to form walls with the ridges in a given course interlocking with the grooves in the next higher course of blocks.