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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130049259
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20120233952
    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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D652154
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D652155
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D652531
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D663329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D665928
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D668792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D674121
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D676070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D677803
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    Inventor: James E. Hammer
  • Patent number: D678553
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Westblock Development, LLC
    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