Abstract: A wall block comprises an upper surface and an opposed lower surface. A front face and an opposed back face, and a first side face and an opposed second side face, are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side face and the second side face generally extend from the front face to the back face. The block includes one or more features that define a horizontal alignment direction. The front face extends from the first side face to the second side face generally along a direction that is slanted with respect to the horizontal alignment direction.

Abstract: An irregular trapezoidal structural unit configured to be arranged with other like units in courses to form a structure comprises opposing upper and lower surfaces, opposing irregular front and rear faces, and irregular opposed side faces. The side faces each include a general S-shape mating section that are translated images of each other such that each side of the unit will mate with either side face of another like unit. The front and rear faces optionally include S-shaped mating sections that are translated images of each other. Structures are formed in courses by arranging units side to side along a line to form at least a first course, wherein adjacent side faces mate and interlock. Optionally, a second course is disposed laterally adjacent the first course wherein adjacent front and rear faces mate and interlock. Additional courses can be added on top of the other courses forming wall structures.

Abstract: A block suitable for use in paving, edging or wall applications comprises a lower portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a first width, and an upper portion having parallel, substantially vertical side faces that are spaced apart by a second width. The second width is smaller than the first width of the lower portion, and the side faces of the upper portion are angled relative to the side faces of the lower portion. The block further comprises a transition portion between the upper and lower portions, having at least one slanted side extending between one or more sides of the lower portion and one or more sides, respectively, of the upper portion.

Abstract: A building unit has a substantially planar base having an outer periphery including multiple mating sides. Each mating side has at least one “S”-connection, which includes at least one outwardly extending male mating section and at least one inwardly extending adjacent female section. On the base, there are multiple cobbles or raised regions separated by false joints. A first portion of the raised regions are positioned on the male mating sections, respectively and extend to positions proximate to the outer periphery of the base. A second portion of the raised regions are positioned adjacent the female mating sections, respectively and are set back from the outer periphery. Each side of one unit can mate with any side of another like unit. The arrangement results in a surface covering that lacks a discernible pattern.

Abstract: A building unit including upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces defining a generally trapezoidal shape in plan view. The unit includes a first pair of the side surfaces, located on opposite sides of the unit and extending non-linearly and generally obliquely with respect to each other in plan view, where each side surface of the first pair has a midpoint bisecting it into two portions. The portions on each side of the midpoint are a 180° rotational image of the other portion about the midpoint. One side surface of the first pair is longer than the other, and the longer side surface includes a midsection of the same length and configuration as the other, shorter side surface. Each of the shorter and longer side surfaces interlocks with either the shorter or longer side surface of another like building unit.

Abstract: A building unit has a substantially planar base having an outer periphery including multiple mating sides. Each mating side has at least one “S”-connection, which includes at least one outwardly extending male mating section and at least one inwardly extending adjacent female section. On the base, there are multiple cobbles or raised regions separated by false joints. A first portion of the raised regions are positioned on the male mating sections, respectively and extend to positions proximate to the outer periphery of the base. A second portion of the raised regions are positioned adjacent the female mating sections, respectively and are set back from the outer periphery. Each side of one unit can mate with any side of another like unit. The arrangement results in a surface covering that lacks a discernible pattern.

Abstract: A landscaping block, patio block, wall block and/or retaining wall block having a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface that can be used in landscaping, retaining wall, and/or patio block systems utilizing a plurality of blocks with a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface. The blocks having the multi-textured or patterned exposed surface can be used in landscaping, retaining wall, and/or patio block systems having a first block type and a second block type. The multi-textured or patterned exposed surface blocks can be used in the construction of walls, fences, and patios to create a geometric design or pattern or a repeating geometric design or pattern in a visually exposed surface of the wall, fence and/or patio constructed.

Abstract: A method for determining solar access at a position includes: obtaining an image of a horizon that includes a skyline; determining the azimuth orientation and the inclination of the obtained image; and determining solar access based on the skyline within the obtained image, the measured azimuth orientation and inclination of the obtained image, and a position associated with the image of the horizon. Other features and embodiments relating to solar access measurement are disclosed.

Abstract: A permeable surface covering unit comprises a top surface and at least two pairs of irregularly shaped mating sides, one or more passageways extending downwardly from the top surface, and at least one under channel connected to the passageways for retaining liquid, such as storm water. The sides of the unit preferably define an irregular rotational tessellation element. The passageways may comprise gaps or side cavities between units and/or core cavities or other passageways within the unit. Optional undercuts may be provided in the core cavities. Pervious material plugs are cast into the cavities extending into the channel or undercut. Thereby the plug is locked into the cavity like a rivet and resists being dislodged by mechanical or hydraulic forces. A permeable surface embodiment comprises a combination of pervious and impervious units, wherein the ratio of permeable to impermeable units and resulting surface absorption rate may be adjusted.

Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.

Abstract: A connection surface that is disposed on at least a portion of a face of a structural unit comprises a first convex surface and a first concave surface arranged substantially along a first line. The shape of the first concave surface is complementary to the shape of the first convex surface. A second convex surface and a second concave surface are arranged substantially along a second line that is substantially parallel to the first line. The shape of the second concave surface is complementary to the shape of the second convex surface. The concave-convex order of the second line is reversed relative to the first line, such that the second convex surface corresponds with the first concave surface and the second concave surface corresponds with the first convex surface.

Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.

Abstract: A floating cut-off bar coupled to a feed drawer whereby a mechanism allows the floating cut-off bar to engage the specified contour of side rails and a division plate in a mold box assembly and aid in material distribution by screeding excess material and delivering additional material to areas of the mold box as necessary and method of making wall blocks therefrom. The specified contour of the side rails and optionally division plate is designed to optimally deliver material to achieve a specified uniform density of the block produced for greater structural integrity, strength and durability of the block.

Abstract: A floating cut-off bar that follows a preselected path of travel over a mold box during a block production cycle. The floating cut-off bar may be coupled to a feed drawer whereby a mechanism allows the floating cut-off bar to engage the specified contour of a division plate in a mold box assembly and aid in material distribution by screeding excess material and delivering additional material to areas of the mold box as necessary and method of making wall blocks therefrom. The specified contour of the division plate is designed to optimally deliver material to achieve a specified uniform density of the block produced for greater structural integrity, strength and durability of the block.