SELF-ALIGNING WALL BLOCK

Abstract

A grooming tool for use on an animal includes a base arrangement sized for grasping by a human hand. A first section of grooming members is secured to the base arrangement and includes flexible members. A second section of grooming members is spaced from the first section and includes flexible members. A third section of rigid grooming members are positioned between the first section and second section of grooming members. The tool can include a grip assembly having a pivotable grip member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is being filed on Jan. 22, 2024, as a PCT International patent application and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/440,468, filed on Jan. 23, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure is directed to a longitudinally and transversely self-aligning, hollow building block for use as a stretcher in constructing a wall from stacked courses of a plurality of such blocks arranged in a running bond, so that adjacent blocks are aligned and interlocked, and so that open cores (cavities) of the blocks are stacked in columns that run from the base course to the top course when the blocks are stacked in straight runs of such running bond courses, or are stacked so as to construct 90° corners.

The disclosure also includes a self-aligning, hollow, column block for use in combination with the stretcher block in a structure as described above.

The disclosure also includes a configuration of an upper bedding surface of such blocks to facilitate the use of a construction adhesive (not mortar) to secure the courses of the structure together.

SUMMARY

In general, a block is provided that improves the prior art.

In one aspect, a concrete building block for use in constructing a wall from stacked courses using a plurality of the building blocks is provided. The block comprises a hollow block body having parallel front and rear face shell portions; parallel left and right end shell portions, a central web extending between the front face shell portion and rear face shell portion; a planar top surface comprising an upper bedding surface; and a planar bottom surface comprising a lower bedding surface. The front and rear face shell portions, left and right end shell portions, and central web define a left cavity and right cavity within the hollow block body. The left and right cavities extend completely through the block body from the top surface to the bottom surface and are open at both the top surface and bottom surface. A left alignment feature is positioned in the left cavity and has a left ear portion extending above the top surface. A right alignment feature is positioned in the right cavity and has a right ear portion extending above the top surface.

Preferably, the block web includes a planar, vertically-oriented left web internal face extending between web top and bottom surfaces. The web includes a planar, vertically oriented right web internal face extending between the web top and bottom surfaces. The left alignment feature is abutting and coplanar with the left web internal face. The right alignment feature is abutting and coplanar with the right web internal face.

In example embodiments, a dimension of the web from the left web internal face to the right web internal face is 2T+x; wherein T is a dimension of thicknesses of the front and rear face shell portions and left and right end shell portions, and x is a clearance dimension.

Preferably, the right and left alignment features are each shaped as a trapezoidal prism.

In one or more embodiments, each of the right and left alignment features has: a planar and horizontal top and bottom surface; a long base; a short base; and a pair of legs extending between the long base and short base. A distance between the top surface and bottom surface of the right and left alignment features is H+z, wherein H is a height of the front and rear face shell portions and left and right end shell portions, and z is selected to provide effective alignment surfaces and corresponds to a height of the left ear portion and right ear portion.

In some examples, the left cavity and right cavity are cylindrical cores. The left alignment feature is a left ¼ cylindrical alignment feature partially within the left cylindrical core; and the right alignment feature is a right ¼ cylindrical alignment feature partially within the right cylindrical core.

In many preferred implementations, the upper bedding surface includes a plurality of shallow glue pockets.

Preferably, the glue pockets comprise one of a conical or cylindrical shape and have a depth no greater than ¼ inch from the top surface of the block body.

In examples, the front face shell portion includes a vertically oriented planar external front face with a top edge and bottom edge; a planar front top edge surface extending horizontally from the top edge of the front face; an opposed planar bottom edge surface extending horizontally from the bottom edge of the front face; a planar left internal front face and a planar right internal front face, each being oriented parallel to the external front face and extending between the front top edge surface and the bottom edge surface; and a rear face shell portion includes a vertically oriented planar external rear face with a rear top edge and rear bottom edge; a planar rear top edge surface extending horizontally from the rear top edge of the rear face; an opposed planar rear bottom edge surface extending horizontally from the rear bottom edge of the rear face; a planar left internal rear face and a planar right internal rear face, each being oriented parallel to the external rear face and extending between the rear top edge surface and the rear bottom edge surface.

Preferably, the left end shell portion includes a vertically oriented planar external left end face extending perpendicularly between the external front face and external rear face; a planar left top edge surface extending horizontally from a top edge of the external left end face, and an opposed planar left bottom edge surface extending horizontally from a bottom edge of the external left end face; a vertically oriented planar internal left end face parallel to the external left end face and extending between the planar left top edge surface and planar left bottom edge surface and between the internal front and rear faces; the right end shell portion includes a vertically oriented planar external right end face extending perpendicularly between the external front face and external rear face; a right planar right top edge surface extending horizontally from a top edge of the external right end face, and an opposed planar right bottom edge surface extending horizontally from a bottom edge of the external right end face; a vertically oriented planar internal right end face parallel to the external right end face and extending between the planar right top edge surface and planar right bottom edge surface and between the internal front and rear faces; and the web top surface is coplanar with the front, rear, left and right top edges surfaces; and the web bottom surface is coplanar with the front, rear, left and right bottom edge surfaces.

In many implementations, the block comprises dry cast concrete.

In some example embodiments, the front face shell portion has a length longer than the rear face shell portion.

In some example embodiments, the left end shell portion and right end shell portion are nestably arcuate.

In some examples, a wall is assembled in straight run of a plurality of courses of blocks, as variously characterized above, arranged in a running bond. The wall comprises a lower course comprising at least three of the blocks; the blocks being laid end to end as Block A, Block B, and Block C. An adjacent upper course comprises at least two blocks laid end to end in a running bond arrangement as Block D and Block E. The right alignment ear of Block A extends into the left cavity of Block D. The left alignment ear of Block B extends into the right cavity of Block D. The right alignment ear of Block A engages with portions of an internal front wall, an internal rear wall, and an internal left end wall of the left cavity of Block D. The left alignment ear of block B engages with portions of an internal front wall, internal rear wall, and internal right end wall of the right cavity of block D. The right alignment ear of Block B extends into the left cavity of Block E. The left alignment ear of Block C extends into the right cavity of Block E. The right alignment ear of Block B engages with portions of an internal front wall, an internal rear wall, and an internal left end wall of the left cavity of Block E. The left alignment ear of block C engages with portions of an internal front wall, internal rear wall, and internal right end wall of the right cavity of block E. This aligns the blocks in each course, and interlocks the blocks so as to resist any longitudinal or transverse shifting of the upper blocks with respect to the lower blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the self-aligning wall block of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially transparent perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a left end elevation view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a right end elevation view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the body of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the body of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is an enlarge perspective view of the left alignment feature of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the left alignment feature of the block shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of three of the blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1 aligned end-to-end in a lower course and two blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1 aligned end-to-end in an upper course in a running bond relationship, with portions of the front face shells of the upper blocks broken away to show the alignment and interlocking functions of the alignment features of the blocks.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the subject matter of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a wall corner constructed from blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1, with portions of one of the upper blocks broken away to show the alignment and interlocking functions of the alignment features of the blocks.

FIG. 16 is another top perspective view of a wall corner constructed from blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1, with portions of one of the upper blocks broken away to show the alignment and interlocking functions of the alignment features of the blocks.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of two courses of a column constructed from blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is another top perspective view of the two courses of the column shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a column block that can be incorporated into walls constructed with blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 Is a top perspective of the column block of FIG. 19 abutting and between the ends of two blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is an expanded front perspective view of the stacking of two of the column blocks shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of two stacked column blocks of the type shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a six course, running bond wall built of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1, with a 90° corner/column constructed of column blocks of the type shown in FIG. 19. This figure also shows the use of half blocks of the type shown in FIG. 1 to square of the ends of courses as needed.

FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the self-aligning wall block of the invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating the one-over-two, running bond relationship of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 24 being assembled into courses.

FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 24 in a 90° corner assembly.

FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of a first variation of the block shown in FIG. 24, where the ends of the block are angled, rather than squared off.

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 28, arranged in a straight run.

FIG. 30 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 28, arranged in a curved run.

FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of a second variation of the block shown in FIG. 24, where the opposed ends are nestably arcuate, rather than squared off.

FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a top perspective view of two partial courses in a running bond arrangement (straight run) of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of the arrangement of blocks shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of two partial courses in a running bond arrangement (curving run) of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of a block of the type shown in FIG. 1, which top surface modifications to facilitate the gluing together of adjacent blocks in a course above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As an initial comment on understanding this specification and the attendant claims, it is noted that preferred embodiments of the building blocks of the invention are made of concrete, and are cast in a form (mold) by use of the well-known dry-cast process (where low frequency, high amplitude vibration consolidates concrete of stiff or extremely dry consistency in a form). The figures, descriptions, and claims comprising this specification are intended to encompass deviations from mathematical precision that are inherent to, or commonly practiced in, the dry-cast concrete art.

For example, it is common knowledge within the dry-cast concrete art that “vertical” features of the forms that are used, and thus of the articles being cast, are typically set at a slight angle from true vertical-a so-called “draft angle”-to assist in the stripping of the cast articles from the form. Accordingly, for purposes of this specification the indication that a feature of a block of the invention is “vertical” or “vertically-oriented”, or the like, or that another feature of the block is “parallel to”, or “perpendicular to” such a “vertical” feature, or that a block, or a portion of a block is “rectangular” or the like, is meant to encompass standard draft angle adjustments from true vertical, and resultant small deviations from true parallel, true perpendicular, true rectangular, etc. If the specification intends to describe a feature of an article or form as truly vertical, perpendicular, perpendicular, rectangular, square, or the like, the word “true” will be consistently inserted to so indicate.

A second example of a slight variation from true dimensions/relationships due to manufacturing considerations is the fact that dry-cast concrete molds are typically made of steel, wear over time, and are commonly sized and fabricated so as to provide a reasonable useful life. Accordingly, for purposes of this specification, statements of cast article dimensions and relationships are intended to encompass standard mold-wear considerations.

A third example of such a slight variation due to manufacturing considerations includes the perimeter shape of a core (cavity) in a block body. The cores in a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown and described in this specification as having a “rectangular” shape, where each of the “corners” of the cavity forms a 90°angle. But, due to considerations in the manufacture of the core forms used to create such cavities in dry-cast concrete blocks, and due to manufacturability considerations and breakage/stress-relief considerations, such cavity “corners” are most commonly formed with a slight radius, rather than a true 90°configuration. Accordingly, for purposes of this specification, the indication that a “corner”, or any other internal or external edge formed by the intersection of two “planar” surfaces is configured as a “right” (90°) angle, or other sharp angle, is not intended to be limited to its strictly mathematical sense, but, rather, is meant to encompass “corners” and edges comprising a slight radius to accommodate the manufacturability and breakage/stress-relief considerations noted above and inherent in the dry-cast process.

A fourth example of such a slight variation due to manufacturing considerations is that, as is commonly known and understood in the dry-cast concrete art, due to the coarseness of the aggregate materials used to form dry-cast concrete, the molded surfaces of the cast article typically have some texture-related variability, so the descriptive terms noted above, and the term “planar” are not intended to be limited to their strictly mathematical sense, but, rather, are intended to encompass such slight deviations in molded surfaces that are a product of the coarseness of the aggregate materials used to form the dry-cast concrete.

A first preferred embodiment of the invention is the block 1 shown alone and in combination with other like blocks in FIGS. 1-18 . Block 1 comprises a hollow block body 2 and left and right alignment features 3a and 3b, respectively.

While block 1 is preferably cast integrally (as a single piece), for purposes of this specification, block 1 will be described as an assembly of discrete components. Accordingly, hollow block body 2 and left and right alignment features 3a and 3b are shown as separate components in the exploded view of FIG. 8 and in associated FIGS. 9-12 .

Hollow block body 2 comprises a front face shell portion 5 that includes a planar external front face 6, which is oriented vertically, and has dimensions of H×L. Front shell portion 5 also includes a planar top edge surface 7 extending horizontally from the top edge of front face 6, and a corresponding and opposed planar bottom edge surface 8 extending horizontally from the bottom edge of front face 6. Edge surfaces 7 and 8 each have dimensions of T×L. Front face shell portion 5 also includes a planar left internal front face 9 and a planar right internal front face 10. Each of these internal front faces is oriented parallel to front face 6 and extends between edge surfaces 7 and 8.

Hollow block body 2 comprises a rear face shell portion 11 that includes a planar external rear face 12, which is oriented vertically and parallel to front face 6, and, like front face 6, has dimensions of H×L. Rear shell portion 11 also includes a planar top edge surface 13 extending horizontally from the top edge of external rear face 12, and a corresponding and opposed planar bottom edge surface 14 extending horizontally from the bottom edge of external rear face 12. Edge surfaces 13 and 14 each have dimensions of Tx L. Rear face shell portion 11 also includes a planar left internal rear face 15 and a planar right internal rear face 16. Each of these internal rear faces is oriented parallel to external rear face 12 and extends between edge surfaces 13 and 14.

Hollow block body 2 also comprises a left end shell portion 17 that includes a planar external left end face 18 that extends perpendicularly between external front face 6 and external rear face 12, and which is oriented vertically, and has dimensions of H×D. Left end shell portion 17 also includes a planar top edge surface 19 extending horizontally from the top edge of external left end face 18, and a corresponding and opposed planar bottom edge surface 20 extending horizontally from the bottom edge of external left end face 18. Edge surfaces 19 and 20 each have dimensions of T×D. Left end shell portion 17 also includes a planar internal left end face 21 that is oriented vertically and parallel to external end face 18, and extends between edges surfaces 19 and 10 and between internal left front and rear faces 9 and 15.

Hollow block body 2 also comprises a right end shell portion 22 that includes a planar external right end face 23 that extends perpendicularly between external front face 6 and external rear face 12, and which is oriented vertically, and has dimensions of H×D. Right end shell portion 22 also includes a planar top edge surface 24 extending horizontally from the top edge of external right end face 23, and a corresponding and opposed planar bottom edge surface 25 extending horizontally from the bottom edge of external right end face 23. Edge surfaces 24 and 25 each have dimensions of T×D. Right end shell portion 22 also includes a planar internal right end face 26 that is oriented vertically and parallel to external end face 23, and extends between edges surfaces 19 and 10 and between internal right front and rear faces 10 and 16.

Hollow block body 2 further comprises a centrally-located web 27 that extends between front face shell portion 5 and rear face shell portion 11. Web 27 includes a horizontal top surface 28 and a corresponding bottom surface 29. Top surface 28 is coplanar with top edge surfaces 7, 13, 19, and 24. Bottom surface 29 is coplanar with bottom edge surfaces 8, 14, 20, and 25. Web 28 also includes corresponding, opposed, planar, vertically-oriented, and parallel, left internal face 30 and right internal face 31. Left internal face 30 extends between top and bottom surfaces 28 and 29, and between internal front and rear faces 9 and 15. Right internal face 31 extends between top and bottom surfaces 28 and 29, and between internal front and rear faces 10 and 16.

Taken together, the front and rear face shell portions, left and right end shell portions, and the central web comprise hollow block body 2, whose outside envelope is in the shape of a right rectangular prism, having dimensions H×L×D. The coplanar top surface portions 7, 13, 19, 24, and 28 comprise the upper bedding surface 32 of the block body. The coplanar bottom surface portions 8, 14, 20, 25, and 29 comprise the lower bedding surface 33 of the block body.

The thicknesses of the face shell portions, and end shell portions (ignoring the corners and web-abutments) are uniformly of the dimension T, and the dimension of web 27 from face 30 to 31 is 2T+x, where, as is discussed further below, x is a small “clearance” dimension.

The face shell portions, end shell portions and central web combine to define left cavity 34 and right cavity 35 within hollow block body 2. These cavities extend all the way through the block body from the top of the block body to the bottom of the block body, and are open at both the top and bottom of the block. Cavities 34 and 35 are each of the same right rectangular prism shape and size, where the vertically-aligned cavity openings at the bottom and top of the block body are rectangular in top and bottom plan views as best shown in FIG. 7. Cavities 34 and 35 are symmetrically-located in block body 2.

Alignment features 3a and 3b are of identical shapes and dimensions, and are described here with the same reference numerals for corresponding component parts of each, with the suffix used a in connection with alignment feature 3a and the suffix b used in connection with alignment feature 3b.

Alignment feature 3a is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 11. In this preferred embodiment, the shape of alignment feature 3a is that of a right isosceles trapezoidal prism, where the isosceles trapezoidal shape that is common to its, planar and horizontal top and bottom surfaces 36a and 37b, respectively, is shown in plan view in FIG. 9, where the long base of the trapezoid is labeled with the reference number 38a, the short base of the trapezoid is labeled with the reference number 39a, the legs are labeled with the reference numbers 40a and 41a, respectively, and the base angles, which are equal in an isosceles trapezoid, are each labeled a, where the length of long base 20b is D−2T and angle α=45°.

Planar and vertical long base surface 42a extends from long base 38a between top surface 36a and bottom surface 37b. Planar and vertical leg surface 43a extends from leg 40a between top surface 36b and bottom surface 37b. Planar and vertical leg surface 44a extends from leg 41a between top surface 36a and bottom surface 37a.

The distance between the long base 38a and the short base 39a (shown as y in FIG. 12) determines the lengths of legs 40a and 41a, and thus the areas of the planar leg surfaces 43a and 44a. As will be described below, portions of the leg surfaces 43a and 44a serve an interference/alignment function in wall construction, so must be of adequate size to serve that function. At the same time, it is not desirable to take up too much of the associated cavity with the alignment feature. For these reasons, a balance between competing considerations must be reached in determining the dimension y.

The distance between top surface 36a and bottom surface 37b is H+z, where z is selected to provide effective interference/alignment surfaces of the respective alignment features, without unduly compromising packaging and transportation considerations. In particular, the portion of alignment feature 3a that extends more than the distance H from its bottom surface 37a comprises an ear portion 45a.

In the assembled (preferably, integrally cast) block 1, alignment feature 3a is positioned in cavity 34 of with its bottom surface 37a located so as to be coplanar with the bottom surface 29 of web 27, and the vertical base surface 42a of alignment feature 3a abutting, and coplanar with, left internal face 30 of web 27. In this arrangement, the bulk of alignment feature 3a is located within cavity 34, and the ear portion 45a extends above the top surface 28 of web 27, with the upper portion of base surface 42a that is a part of ear portion 45a being coplanar with right internal face 30 of web 27.

Similarly, alignment feature 3b is located within cavity 35 with its bottom surface 37b coplanar with the bottom surface 29 of web 27, and its vertical base surface 42b abutting, and coplanar with, left internal face 30 of web 27. In this arrangement, the bulk of alignment feature 3b is located within cavity 35, and the ear portion 45b extends above the top surface 28 of web 27, with the upper portion of base surface 42b that is a part of alignment ear portion 45b being coplanar with right internal face 31 of web 27.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of blocks of this configuration can be assembled in straight run of a plurality of courses arranged in a running bond. Focusing on a lower course comprising three blocks (A, B, and C) laid end to end, and an adjacent upper course comprising two blocks laid end to end in a running bond arrangement, it will be appreciated that the right alignment ear 45b of lower block A extends into the left cavity 34 of upper block, and the left alignment ear 45a of the lower block B extends into the right cavity 35 of the upper block D in such a manner that the right alignment ear 45b of lower block A engages with portions of the internal front wall 9, internal rear wall 15 and internal left end wall 21 of the left cavity 34 of upper block D, and the left alignment ear 45a of the lower block B engages with portions of the internal front wall 10, internal rear wall 16, and internal right end wall 26 of the right cavity 35 of upper block D, thus properly aligning the blocks in each course, and also interlocking the blocks so as to resist any longitudinal or transverse shifting of the upper blocks with respect to the lower blocks.

The dimension x described above is determined so that the end wall shells of two adjacent blocks D and E can be fitted between a pair of adjacent alignment ears of lower block B with only a small amount of play. Preferably, when working with concrete as the material from which the blocks are made, x is not more than about ⅛ inch.

A straight run of a wall can be built up by laying blocks end to end in stacked, running bond courses, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, with this aligning/interlocking relationship between blocks replicating itself over and over. In order to end a wall at a vertical line, it will be necessary to use half blocks at the ends of alternating courses, as needed. This is shown, for example, the wall shown in FIG. 23, where such a half-block is designated with the reference letter F.

The blocks of this invention are particularly intended for use in constructing walls of not more than about 6 feet in height-which would be common for a privacy fence/wall. The typically achievable concrete block height tolerances in dry-casting machines (without supplemental grinding/calibrating) are such that walls in this 6 foot height range can be erected by dry-stacking the blocks (with no mortar between courses to act as a shim).

It will also be appreciated that the cores of the blocks arranged in the fashion shown and described will line up in vertical columns, which facilitates the insertion of rebar and grout vertically into the aligned cores to reinforce the wall, or to insert vertical threaded rods for post-tensioning.

The blocks of this invention also facilitate the construction of self-aligning and interlocking 90° corners 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The blocks also facilitate the construction of a self-aligning and interlocking L×L column 110, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

A column block 120 is shown in FIGS. 19-23 is also useful for building columns and corners that can be integrated with stretcher blocks 1 of the type shown in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 19 and 20, the column block 120 has a front side 122, opposite rear side 124, right side 126, and left side 128. A top face 130 is defined by the end surfaces of the front side 122, rear side 124, right side 126, and left side 128. Opposite of the top face 130 is a bottom face. A hollow, central core 132 passes all the way through from the top face 130 to the bottom face. Lining the inner core 132 is left alignment feature 3a and right alignment feature 3b.

The column block 120 includes channels to nest with the stretcher blocks 1. Specifically, each of the front side 122, rear side 124, right side 126, and left side 128 has a respective channel 134, 136, 138, 140 extending a full length from the top face 130 completely to the bottom face. The channels 134, 136, 138, 140 are centered within their respective sides and have a width of slightly greater than D (FIG. 9) to nest with right end face 23 or left end face 18 of the block 1. FIG. 20 is an illustration the column block 120 abutting and between the end faces of two blocks 1.

FIG. 21 is an expanded front perspective view of stacking of two of the column blocks 120. FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of two stacked column blocks 120. To lock together two of the column blocks 120, one is turned 90 degrees relative to the other. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the column block 120A is stacked on top of column block 120B. The alignment features 3a, 3b in column block 120B extends within the core 132 of column block 120A and against an inner surface of the front side 122 and rear side 124 of the column block 120A.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a six course, running bond wall 150 built of blocks 1 of the type shown in FIG. 1, with a 90°corner/column 152 constructed of column blocks 120 of the type shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 23 also shows the use of half blocks F of the type shown in FIG. 1 to square of the ends of courses as needed.

The preferred dimensions of the stretcher block of the first preferred embodiment are L=16″, H=8″, D=8″, T=1″, x=⅛″, y=1″, z=½″, α=45°.

As previously noted, the block is preferably cast from concrete using the dry-cast process, where the vertical features of the block are formed by the corresponding vertical walls of the dry-cast form (mold), the horizontal features comprising the lower bed surface are formed by a machine pallet, and the features comprising the upper bed surface and the alignment ears are formed by corresponding machine head, preferably a two-stage head for forming the alignment ears.

The external vertical faces of the block can be ornamented in various known ways.

It should be noted that minor deviations from the configuration of the block of the preferred first embodiment, such as, for example, configuring the top faces of the alignment ears so that they are not horizontal, or parallel could be easily accomplished, and would not be outside of the ambit of the invention. The web 27 could include some vertically extending internal cores, or external ribs, that could also be easily accomplished, and would not be outside of the ambit of the invention. The upper edge surfaces of the face and end shells block body could be configured to include so deviations from planar and horizontal, such as, for example grooves to receive horizontal rebar, as shown in FIGS. 24-30, or glue pockets as will be described with respect to FIG. 36, are easily accomplished, and would not be outside of the ambit of the invention.

FIGS. 24-27 show a second preferred embodiment of block at 700. In this embodiment, the rectangular prism cores 34 and 35 are replaced by cylindrical cores 734 and 735, and the trapezoidal alignment features 3a and 3b are replaced by the ¼ cylindrical (90°) alignment features 73a and 73b. This block 700 can build walls having the same features and benefits as those constructed with the block of the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating the one-over-two, running bond relationship of blocks 700 of the type shown in FIG. 24 being assembled into courses.

FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks 700 of the type shown in FIG. 24. The two blocks 700 in the bottom course are A and B, and the block C is stacked on A and B. Alignment feature 73b of block A is received within core 734 of block C, and alignment feature 73a of block B is received within core 735 of block C, which prevents block C form moving laterally (right to left).

The ¼ cylindrical alignment features 73a, 73b also lock the block C to prevent it from moving front to back.

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 24 in a 90° corner assembly. As can be appreciated from reviewing FIG. 27, the ¼ cylindrical alignment features 73a, 73b allow the blocks 700 to lock together in a 90 degree corner.

A first variation of the block shown in FIGS. 24-27 is shown in FIGS. 28-30 at 800, where the squared off ends 18, 23 of the block 1 are replaced with angled, rearwardly-converging ends 802, 804. The ends 802, 804 extend between front side 806 and rear side 808. The front side 806 has a length longer than the rear side 808. This configuration permits the construction of curved walls without gaping between stones, and also can be used to construct straight wall sections. Other accessory blocks would be needed to construct 90° corners.

FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks 800, arranged in a straight run 810.

FIG. 30 is a top perspective view of portions of two running bond courses of blocks 800, arranged in a curved run 812.

A second variation of the block 700 shown in FIGS. 24-27 is shown in FIGS. 31-35 at 900, where the squared off ends of the block are replaced with nestably curved ends 902, 904. End 902 is convex, while end 904 is concave. The ends 902, 904 extend between front side 906 and rear side 908. FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of the block shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a top perspective view of two partial courses in a running bond arrangement (straight run) 910 of blocks 900. FIG. 34 is a front perspective view of the arrangement of blocks shown in FIG. 33. FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of two partial courses in a running bond arrangement (curving run) 912 of blocks of the type shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 36 shows a modification of the upper bed surface 32 of block 1, where the surface 32 is configured to include a plurality of shallow glue pockets 950.

It is a common practice in the construction of dry-stack (no mortar) walls for example, when constructing freestanding walls, when installing a cap course to the top of a freestanding wall or a retaining wall, and when building outdoor kitchens and the like from decorative concrete blocks to glue successive courses of concrete blocks together with a construction adhesive (like Loctite® “PL” adhesive).

The standard way to apply the adhesive is to place “dollops” of the adhesive along one of the surfaces to be glued, or to place elongated “beads” of the adhesive on the surface in either straight lines or in serpentine configurations, and then to press the other surface onto the first surface bearing the glue dollops or beads.

Using too much adhesive, or putting it in the wrong places, can make a mess—with the adhesive being pushed out between the blocks, smearing the faces that are supposed to be kept clean, or making the interface slippery so that the proper registration of the units to be glued difficult.

Experienced contractors are handy with the adhesive tube and gun, in contrast with novice “do it yourselfers”.

The inventor has found that appropriately located and formed indentations (“pockets”, “divots”, “cups”, “recessed dots”, etc.) in the top bed surface 32 of an article, such as block 1 and the arrangement and configuration of glue pockets 950 as shown in FIG. 36, can aid the installer in properly locating the adhesive and using the proper volume of adhesive. The inventor's initial tests of the concept have involved simply using a ⅝″ drill bit to drill down about ¼″ into the top surface of a concrete block, and then to fill the pockets with adhesive. The inventor found that he was not only eliminating the mess and economizing on the amount of adhesive needed, but was also, surprisingly, finding what appears to be improved adhesion over the standard surface dollop or bead method. The inventor believes that both conical and cylindrical glue pocket configurations are effective, while small frogs of other functional, or decorative shapes would also be effective for this purpose.

The above description represent example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A concrete building block for use in constructing a structure comprising dry-stacked courses of a plurality of units of said building block, the block comprising:

a block body having a top surface comprising a planar upper bedding surface; and a bottom surface comprising a planar lower bedding surface, the plane of the upper bedding surface being parallel to the plane of the lower bedding surface, and wherein the upper bedding surface is adapted to contact and support at least a portion of the lower bedding surface of a like building block stacked on it during construction of a wall; and

wherein an indentation comprising an open top and a closed bottom is formed in the upper bedding surface of the block body to locate and hold a suitable amount of construction adhesive in a location where the indentation will be completely covered by an uninterrupted portion of the supported portion of the lower bedding surface of a like building block dry-stacked on it during construction of the structure.

16. The concrete building block of claim 15, wherein the open top of the indentation is of a circular shape.

17. The concrete building block of claim 16, wherein the indentation has a cylindrical configuration.

18. The concrete building block of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the indentation has a conical configuration.

19. The concrete building block of claim 16, wherein the indentation measures up to about ¼ inch from its open top at the upper bedding surface to the deepest point of its closed bottom, and wherein the diameter of the open top is at least about ⅝ inch.

20. The concrete building block of claim 19, wherein the indentation measures about ⅛ inch from its open top at the upper bedding surface to the deepest point of its closed bottom, and the diameter of the open top is about ¾ inch.

21. The concrete building block of claim 16, wherein the deepest point of the closed bottom of the indentation lies within a planar floor section of the closed bottom.

22. The concrete building block of claim 21, wherein the planar floor section of the closed bottom of the indentation is circular, and wherein the planar floor section lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the upper bedding surface of the block body.

23. The concrete building block of claim 22, wherein the circular open top and circular planar floor section of the indentation are connected by a solid circumferential wall of the concrete material comprising the block body.

24. The concrete building block of claim 23, wherein the diameter of the circular open top of the indentation is greater than the diameter of the planar floor section of the indentation and the solid circumferential connecting wall comprises the surface of a truncated right cone.

25. The concrete building block of claim 24, wherein the truncated right cone is a 45° right cone, with one of its bases defined by the open top of the indentation and the other of its bases defined by the planar floor section of the indentation.

26. The concrete building block of claim 15 wherein the block is configured so as to be manufacturable by a dry-casting process wherein a planar machine pallet is placed under a mold box that is open at its top and bottom so as to temporarily close off the bottom of the mold box, the mold box is filled through its open top with dry-cast concrete mix material, the mix material is consolidated and densified within the mold into a self-supporting uncured concrete unit, and the uncured concrete unit is stripped from the mold box by relative vertical motion between the mold box and the machine pallet.

27. The concrete building block of claim 15, wherein the block comprises a plurality of said indentations formed in the upper bedding surface of the block body, and wherein each of said indentations is formed in the upper bedding surface of the block at a location as described in claim 15.

28. A method of constructing a structure from stacked courses of a plurality of concrete building blocks, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first concrete building block as described in claim 15 as a lower course block;

(b) filling the indentation in the upper bedding surface of the first block with construction adhesive;

(c) stacking a second concrete building block as described in claim 15 atop the first block so that an uninterrupted portion of the lower bedding surface of the second block is supported by the upper bedding surface of the first block and completely covers the indentation in the top surface of the first block and the construction adhesive contacts the uninterrupted portion of the lower bedding surface of the second block so as to adhesively bond the second block to the first block when the adhesive sets up.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second block is stacked on the first block in a running bond relationship.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the filling step comprises the use of a construction adhesive gun to place a dollop of adhesive in the indentation in the upper bedding surface of the first block.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein, prior to the stacking step, the dollop of adhesive is placed so that it does not extend horizontally outside of the confines of the indentation, but a surcharge portion of the adhesive does extend vertically above the open top of the indentation, so that, when the second block is stacked, the surcharge portion of the adhesive is squeezed out between the adjacent bedding surfaces of the first and second blocks so that it extends beyond the periphery of the indention by up to about ½ inch.