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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Publication number: 20250116109Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer, Stephen Burgoyne
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Publication number: 20240426100Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Applicant: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: James E. Hammer, Eric Hammer
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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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Patent number: D679300Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventor: James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1038445Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1038446Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1057206Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1069176Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1085468Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2023Date of Patent: July 22, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer, Stephen Burgoyne
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Patent number: D1088285Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2024Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1091872Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2024Date of Patent: September 2, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1101974Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2023Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1101975Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2024Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer
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Patent number: D1120386Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2024Date of Patent: March 24, 2026Assignee: Westblock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hammer, James E. Hammer