Abstract: A concrete block system is provided and allows for the use of a single type of non-integral connector to perform different functions in a mortarless structure, the system comprising a plurality of structural concrete blocks and a plurality of veneer units. The same connector can be used to connect veneer units to structural blocks, to retain the veneer units in different orientations; to create near vertical installations or a setback between stacked rows of structural blocks. In addition, the system provides a single structural block, which can be used for both straight portions or corners of a same structure. The structural block can also be used to create double-sided walls, with opposite lateral walls being configured to received/retain veneer units thereon.

Abstract: A modular building system, a method and a connecting assembly for building a hardscape structure, the modular building system comprising: a plurality of preformed hardscape structure sections including: a first hardscape structure section including a first section face and at least one first section groove defined in the first section face; a second hardscape structure section having a second section face and at least one second section groove defined in the second section face, the second hardscape structure section being disposed adjacent the first hardscape structure section such that the second section face is adjacent the first section face; and a connecting member having a first engagement portion for engaging one of the at least one first section groove and a second engagement portion for engaging one of the at least one second section groove to thereby secure together the first and second hardscape structure sections.

Abstract: A concrete block includes a dry cast concrete body having opposite first and second sides, opposite first and second end faces extending between the first and second sides, and opposite first and second bearing faces extending between the first and second sides and the first and second end faces. Each of the first and second bearing faces defines an inset region sized to receive a key that will also fit into the inset region of a like block stacked thereon. The body has at least a pair of rod-receiving apertures extending completely therethrough between the first and second sides to permit attachment to a like block through the first and second sides with a rod extending through each of the apertures. The block can be tapered to form curved walls.

Abstract: A concrete block system is provided and allows for the use of a single type of non-integral connector to perform different functions in a mortarless structure, the system comprising a plurality of structural concrete blocks and a plurality of veneer units. The same connector can be used to connect veneer units to structural blocks, to retain the veneer units in different orientations; to create near vertical installations or a setback between stacked rows of structural blocks. In addition, the system provides a single structural block, which can be used for both straight portions or corners of a same structure. The structural block can also be used to create double-sided walls, with opposite lateral walls being configured to received/retain veneer units thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using backer blocks and facing blocks which are stacked into continuous front and back wall components connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. The facing blocks, connectors and filler material are all separated from the material to be retained by the backer blocks. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction both straight and curved retaining walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using backer blocks and facing blocks which are stacked into continuous front and back wall components connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. The facing blocks, connectors and filler material are all separated from the material to be retained by the backer blocks. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction both straight and curved retaining walls.

Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall can be filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.

Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint.

Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint.

Abstract: A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighboring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighboring unit.

Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint.

Abstract: An artificial stone is disclosed for use in creating a covering for a supporting surface. The artificial stone includes a body for placement on the supporting surface, which is shaped for mating engagement with like stones with intermediate perimeter joints to produce a continuous surface covering. The stone has a facing surface on the body, which facing surface has a contour defining a surface area and is subdivided by at least one simulated joint into a major surface portion and at least one minor surface portion. The major surface portion is free of simulated joints and extends over at least about 60% of the total surface of the facing surface. The stone further includes at least one perimeter recess in the body for generating a gap between the stone and another like stone in mating engagement therewith, which gap is wider than adjacent the adjoining perimeter joint.

Abstract: A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighbouring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighbouring unit.