Patents by Inventor James E. Hammer

James E. Hammer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250116109
    Abstract: A wall block includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the interconnecting the first and second end portions. The first end portion includes a first face and first and second opposing side surfaces. The second end portion includes a second face and third and fourth opposing side surfaces. The first and second side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the first face toward the second face. The third and fourth side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the second face toward the first face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer, Stephen Burgoyne
  • Publication number: 20240426100
    Abstract: A wall block comprising first and second opposing, parallel side walls extending lengthwise and first and second opposing, parallel end walls extending between respective ends of the side walls is disclosed. The first and second side walls are longer than the first and second end walls. At least first and second trapezoidal shaped projections extend outwardly from the first side wall, where the first and second projections are configured to be received in slots of adjacent blocks in a wall. A block assembly comprising a trunk block and a face block is also disclosed, where at least one trapezoidal shaped slot is configured to receive a trapezoidal shaped projection of the trunk block. A wall comprising at least a first course comprising a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hammer, Eric Hammer
  • Patent number: 9902600
    Abstract: A wall block lifting apparatus can include a support member, first and second adjustment members, first and second posts, and first and second gripper elements. The adjustment members can be adjustably coupled to the support member such that the adjustment members are movable between a lifting position and a release position. The first post can be coupled to and extend from the first adjustment member, and the second post can be coupled to and extend from the second adjustment member. The first and second gripper elements can be respectively coupled to and extend from the first and second posts, and the first and second gripper members can be configured to securely engage a wall block when the first and second adjustment members are in the lifting position and to release the wall block when the first and second adjustment members are in the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
  • Publication number: 20170050831
    Abstract: A wall block lifting apparatus can include a support member, first and second adjustment members, first and second posts, and first and second gripper elements. The adjustment members can be adjustably coupled to the support member such that the adjustment members are movable between a lifting position and a release position. The first post can be coupled to and extend from the first adjustment member, and the second post can be coupled to and extend from the second adjustment member. The first and second gripper elements can be respectively coupled to and extend from the first and second posts, and the first and second gripper members can be configured to securely engage a wall block when the first and second adjustment members are in the lifting position and to release the wall block when the first and second adjustment members are in the release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
  • Patent number: 9562338
    Abstract: A retaining wall system, as well as embodiments of blocks and other devices for use in a retaining wall system. In some embodiments, a retaining wall includes a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks arranged in a plurality of courses of blocks. In some embodiments, a face block can include a face portion and a pair of leg portions, and each of the leg portions can be adapted to be coupled to a trunk block. In some embodiments, various block connecting devices can be used to connect blocks in a single course of blocks and various block alignment devices can be used to align blocks in adjacent courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
  • Patent number: 9428878
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a retaining wall system, as well as embodiments of blocks and other devices for use in a retaining wall system. In some embodiments, a retaining wall includes a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks arranged in a plurality of courses of blocks. In some embodiments, a face block can include a face portion and a pair of leg portions, and each of the leg portions can be adapted to be coupled to a trunk block. In some embodiments, various block connecting devices can be used to connect blocks in a single course of blocks and various block alignment devices can be used to align blocks in adjacent courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20150071715
    Abstract: A retaining wall system, as well as embodiments of blocks and other devices for use in a retaining wall system. In some embodiments, a retaining wall includes a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks arranged in a plurality of courses of blocks. In some embodiments, a face block can include a face portion and a pair of leg portions, and each of the leg portions can be adapted to be coupled to a trunk block. In some embodiments, various block connecting devices can be used to connect blocks in a single course of blocks and various block alignment devices can be used to align blocks in adjacent courses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
  • Patent number: 8667759
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall block system has at least one block, multiples of the at least one block being suitable for use in constructing a wall from multiple courses of the blocks stacked one upon the other. For example, the wall block system can comprise at least one block having opposed first and second faces, the area of the first face being greater than the area of the second face, wherein the first face or second face can serve as an exposed face on one side of the wall, and each block having an upper surface and lower formed with a single central slot to receive a three-way block-connecting element thereby allowing vertically adjacent blocks in a wall to be interconnected in three different positions to establish a neutral batter, negative batter or a positive batter between blocks in adjacent courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20130315679
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a retaining wall system, as well as embodiments of blocks and other devices for use in a retaining wall system. In some embodiments, a retaining wall includes a plurality of face blocks and a plurality of trunk blocks arranged in a plurality of courses of blocks. In some embodiments, a face block can include a face portion and a pair of leg portions, and each of the leg portions can be adapted to be coupled to a trunk block. In some embodiments, various block connecting devices can be used to connect blocks in a single course of blocks and various block alignment devices can be used to align blocks in adjacent courses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D679300
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1038445
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1038446
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1057206
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1069176
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1085468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer, Stephen Burgoyne
  • Patent number: D1088285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1091872
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1101974
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1101975
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D1120386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer