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).
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Patent number: 9902600Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
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Publication number: 20170050831Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
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Patent number: 9562338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
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Patent number: 9428878Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Publication number: 20150071715Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Hammer, Max Griffin
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Patent number: 8667759Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Publication number: 20130315679Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Publication number: 20130049259Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for forming concrete blocks having integral alignment nubs and concrete blocks without integral alignment nubs. In particular embodiments, a mold assembly comprises a mold, a first set of mold shoes for forming the blocks having integral alignment nubs, and a second set of mold shoes for forming the blocks without integral alignment nubs. When a manufacturer desires to manufacture blocks having integral alignment nubs, the mold and the first set of mold shoes are installed in a block-forming machine. When the manufacturer desires to manufacture blocks without integral alignment nubs, the first set of mold shoes are replaced with the second set of mold shoes in the block-forming machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Publication number: 20120233952Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D652154Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D652155Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D652531Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D663329Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D665928Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D668792Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D674121Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D676070Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D677803Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D678553Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Westblock Development, LLCInventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D679300Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer