Patent Grant
9181714
This invention relates generally to multi-textured or patterned exposed surfaces of landscaping blocks, retaining wall blocks, wall blocks and patio blocks. This invention also relates generally to landscaping, retaining wall, and patio block systems with one or more similar blocks having a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface and to block systems with one or more different types of blocks having a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface.
Patios, fences, walls, and retaining walls are used in various landscaping projects and are available in a wide variety of styles. Numerous methods and materials exist for the construction of patios, fences, walls and retaining walls. Such methods include the use of natural stone, poured concrete, precast panels, masonry, and landscape timbers or railroad ties.
In recent years, segmental concrete wall, patio and landscaping units, which may be laid, positioned or dry stacked without the use of mortar or other complex securing means, have become widely accepted in the construction of patios, fences, walls and retaining walls. Such patio, wall and landscaping units have gained popularity because they are mass produced and, consequently, relatively inexpensive. They are structurally sound, easy and relatively inexpensive to install, and couple the durability of concrete with the attractiveness of various architectural finishes.
In the manufacture of patio, wall and landscaping blocks and other kinds of blocks made from concrete, it is common to use a mold that forms a block module which is then split to form two or more blocks. Another method is wherein blocks are individually formed in a mold and the surfaces are textured by removal of the mold. Another known method of creating a block having an irregular or textured surface is to form the block in a mold box that has been provided with a sidewall liner shaped to impart the irregular or textured surface on the block during the block molding process.
In the construction of a patio, wall or fence the aesthetic design of the individual block units and the overall visually pleasing aesthetic appearance of the patio, wall or fence is very desirable. Blocks that have a desirable texture or pattern create an exposed surface of a patio, wall or fence that is visually appealing.
It would be desirable to provide a patio, wall or landscaping block with a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface for use in constructing a wall, retaining wall, fence, patio or the like. It would be further desirable to provide a block with a multi-textured pattern or textured surface that could create multiple desirable and aesthetic designs in an exposed surface of a patio, wall, fence or the like.
It would be desirable to provide a patio, wall or landscaping block having a chamfer on the sides and top of the front face of the block, to reduce the probability of sustaining damage to the block edges during manufacture, plant-handling, transportation and site installation handling. It would further be desirable that the sides and top of the front face of the wall block have an angled chamfer which creates block edges that are greater than 90° from a vertical plane formed from the sides and front of the block. The greater than 90° edges are harder to chip off or wear away during manufacture, plant-handling, transportation and site installation handling, and thereby minimize any damage to block edges.
It would be desirable to provide a system of multi-textured or patterned blocks for constructing a patio, wall or fence that combines the ease of installation of modern segmental wall blocks, patio blocks and landscaping blocks with the attractive appearance of an aesthetic design.
It would be desirable to provide a block system for constructing a wall, patio or fence that utilizes a block that has a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface that allows complex designs or patterns to be formed or created onto an exposed surface of the constructed wall, patio or fence such that the contrast and/or differences between a first pattern or texture and a second pattern or texture (and the differences between other additional patterns and textures as desired) would create the pattern or design onto the overall visually exposed surfaces of the wall, patio or fence. It would further be desirable to provide a block system for constructing a wall, patio or fence that utilizes a first block type that has a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface and a second block type that has a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface that would allow for more complex designs or patterns to be formed or created into an exposed surface of the constructed wall, patio or fence.
A landscaping block including a block body having a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a third side surface opposed from a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The top surface of the landscaping block has a total upper area on a horizontal plane, the total upper area of the upper surface having a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture. The first pattern or texture is different from the second pattern or texture.
The landscaping block may include that the top surface has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total upper area of the top surface from the second area of the total upper area of the top surface. The landscaping block may include that the first area of the total upper area of the top surface is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total upper area of the top surface. The landscaping block may include that one of the first or second areas of the total upper area of the top surface is greater than the other of the first or second areas of the total upper area of the top surface.
The landscaping block may include that the first area extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and that the second area extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The landscaping block may further include that the first area extends across the total upper area of the top surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the third side surface more than half of the length of the third side surface. The landscaping block may further include that the first area extends across the total upper area of the top surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the fourth side surface a distance less than half of the length of the fourth side surface. The landscaping block may further include that the second area extends across the upper area of the top surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the third side surface a distance less than half of the length of the third side surface and the second area extends across the upper area of the top surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the fourth side surface a distance more than half of the length of the fourth side surface.
The landscaping block may include that the top surface has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total upper area of the top surface from the second area of the total upper area of the top surface. The landscaping block may further include that the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces have an angular surface adjacent the top surface.
The landscaping block may include that the total upper area of the top surface of the landscaping block has a third area. The landscaping block may include that the third area has the same pattern or texture as the first area or second area. The landscaping block may include that the third area has a different pattern or texture as the first area or second area. The landscaping block may include that the total upper area of the top surface of the landscaping block has a fourth area. The landscaping block may include that the third area has the same pattern or texture as the first area or second area and the fourth area has the same pattern as the other of the first area or second area. The landscaping block may include that the third area has a different pattern or texture as the first area or second area and the fourth area has a different pattern or texture as the first, second or third areas.
A block including a block body having a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a front surface opposed from a back surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The front surface of the block has a total exposed area, the total exposed area of the front surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture. The first pattern or texture is different from the second pattern or texture.
The block may include that the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The block may include that one of the first or second areas of the total exposed area of the front surface is greater than the other of the first or second areas of the total exposed area of the front surface. The block may include that the total exposed area of the front surface is on the same vertical plane. The block may include that the first area of the front surface is on a different vertical plane than the second area of the front surface.
The block may include that the back surface has a total exposed area wherein the total exposed area of the back surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The block may include that the total exposed area of the back surface is on the same vertical plane. The block may include that the first area of the back surface is on a different vertical plane than the second area of the back surface.
The block may include that the front surface has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface from the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The block may include that the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The block may include that one of the first or second areas of the total exposed area of the front surface is greater than the other of the first or second areas of the total exposed area of the front surface.
The block may include that the first area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and that the second area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The block may further include that the first area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the top surface more than half of the length of the top surface. The block may further include that the first area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the bottom surface a distance less than half of the length of the bottom surface. The block may further include that the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the top surface a distance less than half of the length of the top surface and the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the bottom surface a distance more than half of the length of the bottom surface.
The block may include that the front surface has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface from the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The block may further include that the first side, second side, top and bottom surfaces have an angular surface adjacent the front surface.
The block may include that the total exposed area of the front surface of the block has a third area. The block may include that the third area has the same pattern or texture as the first area or second area. The block may include that the third area has a different pattern or texture as the first area or second area. The block may include that the total exposed area of the front surface of the block has a fourth area. The block may include that the third area has the same pattern or texture as the first area or second area and the fourth area has the same pattern as the other of the first area or second area. The block may include that the third area has a different pattern or texture as the first area or second area and the fourth area has a different pattern or texture as the first, second or third areas.
A wall block system including a plurality of wall blocks. The wall blocks of the wall block system have a block body with a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a front surface opposed from a back surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The front surface of the wall block has a total exposed area on a vertical plane, the total exposed area of the front surface having a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The wall block system including that when a wall is formed from the plurality of blocks stacked in multiple courses, the first side or the second side surface of a wall block in a course of wall blocks is positioned adjacent to either the first side surface or the second side surface of an adjacent wall block in the course of wall blocks and that the top surface or bottom surface of a wall block in a first course of wall blocks may be positioned adjacent to either the top surface or bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent second course of wall blocks.
The wall block system may include that the first area of the plurality of wall blocks extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and that the second area of the plurality of wall blocks extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The wall block system may further include that the first area of the plurality of wall blocks extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the top surface more than half of the length of the top surface. The wall block system may further include that the first area of the plurality of wall blocks extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the bottom surface a distance less than half of the length of the bottom surface. The wall block system may further include that the second area of the plurality of wall blocks extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the top surface a distance less than half of the length of the top surface and that the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the bottom surface a distance more than half of the length of the bottom surface.
The wall block system may include that the front surface of the plurality of wall blocks has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface from the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The wall block system may further include that the first side, second side, top and bottom surfaces have an angular surface adjacent the front surface.
The wall block system may include that the first side surface of a wall block is laid adjacent only to the first side surface of an adjacent wall block in a course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the top surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks. The wall block system may further include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks.
The wall block system may include that the first side surface of a wall block is laid adjacent only to the second side surface of an adjacent wall block in a course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the top surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks.
The wall block system may include that the back surface of the wall block has a total exposed area. The total exposed area of the back surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The wall block system may further include that the total exposed area of the back surface is on the same vertical plane. The wall block system may further include that the first area of the back surface is on a different vertical plane than the second area of the back surface. The wall block system may further include that the wall is formed from the plurality of blocks stacked in multiple courses the front side of a wall block in a course of wall blocks is positioned adjacent to either the front surface or the back surface of an adjacent wall block in the course of wall blocks.
A wall block including a block body having a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a front surface opposed from a back surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The front surface has a total exposed area. The total exposed area of the front surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture on a first vertical plane and a second area with a second pattern or texture on a second vertical plane, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture and the first vertical plane being different than the second vertical plane.
The wall block may include that the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface.
The wall block may include that the first area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and wherein the second area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The wall block may further include that the first area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the top surface more than half of the length of the top surface. The wall block may further include that the first area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the bottom surface a distance less than half of the length of the bottom surface. The wall block may further include that the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the top surface a distance less than half of the length of the top surface and the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the bottom surface a distance more than half of the length of the bottom surface.
The wall block may include that the front surface has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface from the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The wall block may further include that the first side, second side, top and bottom surfaces have an angular surface adjacent the front surface.
The wall block of claim may include that the back surface has a total exposed area. The total exposed area of the back surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The wall block may further include that the first area of the back surface is on a different vertical plane than the second area of the back surface.
A wall system including a plurality of wall blocks. The wall blocks of the wall system have a block body with a first side surface opposed from a second side surface, a front surface opposed from a back surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, the front surface having a total exposed area. The total exposed area of the front surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture on a first vertical plane and a second area with a second pattern or texture on a second vertical plane, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture and the first vertical plane being different than the second vertical plane. The wall system including that when a wall is formed from the plurality of blocks stacked in multiple courses the first side or the second side surface of a wall block in a course of wall blocks is positioned adjacent to either the first side surface or the second side surface of an adjacent wall block in the course of wall blocks and the top surface or bottom surface of a wall block in a first course of wall blocks may be positioned adjacent to either the top surface or bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent second course of wall blocks.
The wall block system may include that the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface.
The wall block system may include that the first area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and that the second area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The wall block system may further include that the first area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the top surface more than half of the length of the top surface. The wall block system may further include that the first area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the bottom surface a distance less than half of the length of the bottom surface. The wall block system may further include that the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the top surface a distance less than half of the length of the top surface and the second area extends across the total exposed area of the front surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the bottom surface a distance more than half of the length of the bottom surface.
The wall block system may include that the front surface has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface from the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface. The wall block system may further include that the first side, second side, top and bottom surfaces have an angular surface adjacent the front surface.
The wall block system may include that the first side surface of a wall block is laid adjacent only to the first side surface of an adjacent wall block in a course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the top surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks.
The wall block system may include that the first side surface of a wall block is laid adjacent only to the second side surface of an adjacent wall block in a course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the top surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks. The wall block system may include that the top surface of a wall block is positioned adjacent to only the bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent course of blocks.
The wall block system may include that the back surface has a total exposed area. The total exposed area of the back surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The wall block system may further include that the first area of the back surface is on a different vertical plane than the second area of the back surface.
A patio system including a plurality of patio blocks. The patio blocks of the patio system have a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a third side surface opposed from a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having a total upper area on a horizontal plane. The total upper area of the upper surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The patio system including that when a patio is made with the plurality of patio blocks, any of the first, second, third or fourth side surfaces of a patio block may be laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third or fourth side surfaces of an adjacent patio block.
The patio system may include that the first area of the total upper area of the top surface is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total upper area of the top surface.
The patio system may include that the first area extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and that the second area extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The patio system may further include that the first area extends across the total upper area of the top surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the third side surface more than half of the length of the third side surface. The patio system may further include that the first area extends across the total upper area of the top surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the fourth side surface a distance less than half of the length of the fourth side surface. The patio system may further include that the second area extends across the upper area of the top surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the third side surface a distance less than half of the length of the third side surface and the second area extends across the upper area of the top surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the fourth side surface a distance more than half of the length of the fourth side surface.
The patio system may include that the first side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the first side surface of an adjacent patio block. The patio system may include that the second side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the second side surface of an adjacent patio block. The patio system may include that the second side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the third side surface or fourth side surface of an adjacent patio block.
The patio system may include that the first side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the second side surface of an adjacent patio block. The patio system may include that the third side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the third side surface or fourth side surface of an adjacent patio block.
The patio system may include that the first side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the third side surface of an adjacent patio block. The patio system may include that the second side surface of a patio block is laid adjacent only to the fourth side surface of an adjacent patio block.
A patio system including a plurality of a first type of patio blocks and a second type of patio blocks. The first and second patio block types having a block body with a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a third side surface opposed from a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having a total upper area on a horizontal plane. The total upper area of the top surface of the first and second types of patio blocks have a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The lengths of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of the second patio block type are less than the lengths of the first, second third and fourth side surfaces of the first patio block type. The patio system including that when a patio is made with the plurality of patio blocks, any of the first, second, third or fourth side surfaces of either the first or second patio block type may be laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third or fourth side surfaces of an adjacent first or second patio block type.
The patio system may include that the first area of the total upper area of the top surface of the first and second patio block types is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total upper area of the top surface of the first and second patio block types, respectively.
The patio system may include that the first area of the first and second patio block types extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and that the second area of the first and second patio block types extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the second side surface toward the first side surface. The patio system may further include that the first area of the first and second patio block types extends across the total upper area of the top surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the third side surface more than half of the length of the third side surface. The patio system may further include that the first area of the first and second patio block types extends across the total upper area of the top surface from the first side surface toward the second side surface along the fourth side surface a distance less than half of the length of the fourth side surface. The patio system may further include that the second area of the first and second patio block types extends across the upper area of the top surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the third side surface a distance less than half of the length of the third side surface and the second area of the first and second patio block types extends across the upper area of the top surface from the second side surface toward the first side surface along the fourth side surface a distance more than half of the length of the fourth side surface.
The patio system may include that each of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block from the second patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of patio blocks from the first patio block type. The patio system may include that any two of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block of the first patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of two of the patio blocks from the second patio block type. The patio system may include that each of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block of the first patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of four of the patio blocks from the second patio block type.
The patio system may include that any two of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block of the first patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of four of the patio blocks from the second patio block type.
A landscaping system having a patio and a wall or fence and including a plurality of patio blocks. The patio blocks of the landscaping system have a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a third side surface opposed from a fourth side surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having a total upper area on a horizontal plane. The total upper area of the top surface of the patio blocks has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The landscaping system including a plurality of wall blocks. The wall blocks of the landscaping system have a block body with a first side surface opposed a from a second side surface, a front surface opposed from a back surface, and opposed and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, the front surface having a total exposed area on a vertical plane. The total exposed area of the front surface of the wall blocks has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The system including that when a patio is made with the plurality of patio blocks, any of the first, second, third or fourth side surfaces of a patio block may be laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third or fourth side surfaces of an adjacent patio block. The landscaping system including that when a wall or fence is formed from the plurality of blocks stacked in multiple courses the first side or the second side surface of a wall block in a course of wall blocks is positioned adjacent to either the first side surface or the second side surface of an adjacent wall block in the course of wall blocks and the top surface or bottom surface of a wall block in a first course of wall blocks may be positioned adjacent to either the top surface or bottom surface of an adjacent wall block in an adjacent second course of wall blocks.
The landscaping system may include that the first area of the total upper area of the top surface of the patio block is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total upper area of the top surface of the patio block and the first area of the total exposed area of the front surface of the wall block is substantially equal in size to the second area of the total exposed area of the front surface of the wall block.
The landscaping system may include that the first area of the patio block extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third side surface to the fourth side surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and wherein the second area extends the entire distance across the total upper area from the third surface to the fourth surface and a partial distance across the total upper area from the second side surface toward the first side surface.
The landscaping system may include that the top surface of the patio block has a recessed surface that divides the first area of the total upper area of the top surface from the second area of the total upper area of the top surface. The landscaping system may further include that the first side, second side, top and bottom surfaces of the patio block have an angular surface adjacent the front surface.
The landscaping system may include that the first area of the wall block extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the first side surface toward the second side surface and wherein the second area extends the entire distance across the total exposed area from the top surface to the bottom surface and a partial distance across the total exposed area from the second side surface toward the first side surface.
The landscaping system may include that the back surface of the plurality of wall blocks has a total exposed area wherein the total exposed area of the back surface has a first area with a first pattern or texture and a second area with a second pattern or texture, the first pattern or texture being different from the second pattern or texture. The landscaping system may further include that the total exposed area of the back surface is on the same vertical plane. The landscaping system may further include that the first area of the back surface is on a different vertical plane than the second area of the back surface.
The landscaping system may include that when the wall is formed from the plurality of blocks stacked in multiple courses the front side of a wall block in a course of wall blocks is positioned adjacent to either the front surface or the second back surface of an adjacent wall block in the course of wall blocks.
An exposed surface of a patio including a plurality of patio blocks. The plurality of patio blocks have a top surface that forms the exposed surface of the patio, the top surface of the plurality of patio blocks having a first trapezoidal area and a second trapezoidal area. The first trapezoidal area is substantially equal in shape and size to the second trapezoidal area and the first trapezoidal area has a different pattern or texture from the second trapezoidal area.
The exposed surface of a patio may include that the first trapezoidal area of the plurality of patio blocks extends a partial distance across the top surface of the plurality of patio blocks from a first side surface of the patio block to a second side surface of the patio block and the entire distance across the top surface from a third side surface of the patio block to a fourth side surface of the patio block. The exposed surface of a patio may further include that the second trapezoidal area extends the entire distance across the top surface of the patio block from the third surface to the fourth surface and a partial distance across the top surface of the patio block from the second side surface toward the first side surface.
The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first trapezoidal area of a first patio block in a row is positioned next to a second trapezoidal area of an adjacent block in a row. The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first trapezoidal area of a first patio block in a row is positioned adjacent to a first trapezoidal area of an adjacent block in a row. The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first side surface of a first patio block in a row is positioned adjacent to the third side surface of a patio block in a row. The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first side surface of a first patio block in a first row is positioned adjacent to the third side surface of a patio block in a first row and the third side surface of the first patio block of the first row is positioned adjacent to the first side surface of a patio block of a second row.
The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first side surface of a first patio block in a first row is positioned adjacent to the first side surface of a patio block in a first row and the third side surface of the first patio block of the first row is positioned adjacent to the fourth side surface of a patio block of a second row or the second side surface of a second row. The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first side surface of a first patio block in a row is positioned adjacent to the first side surface of a patio block in a row. The exposed surface of a patio may include that the plurality of patio blocks are positioned in courses or rows such that the first side surface of a first patio block in a row is positioned adjacent to the second side surface of a patio block in a row.
An exposed surface of a patio including a plurality of a first type of patio blocks having first, second, third and fourth side surfaces and a plurality of second types of patio blocks having first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. The first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of the second type of patio block having lengths, the lengths of at least two of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of the second type of patio block being less than a length of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of the first block type. The plurality of first and second types of patio blocks have a top surface that forms the exposed surface of the patio, the top surface of the plurality of patio blocks having a first trapezoidal area and a second trapezoidal area. The first trapezoidal area is substantially equal in shape and size to the second trapezoidal area and the first trapezoidal area has a different pattern or texture from the second trapezoidal area.
The exposed surface of a patio may include that the first trapezoidal area of the plurality of first and second types of patio blocks extends a partial distance across the top surface of the patio blocks from the first side surface of the patio block to the second side surface of the patio block and the entire distance across the top surface from the third side surface of the patio block to the fourth side surface of the patio block. The exposed surface of a patio may further include that the second trapezoidal area of the first and second types of patio blocks extends the entire distance across the top surface of the patio blocks from the third surface to the fourth surface and a partial distance across the top surface of the patio blocks from the second side surface toward the first side surface.
The exposed surface of a patio may include that each of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block from the second patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of four patio blocks from the first patio block type. The exposed surface of a patio may include that any two of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block of the first patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of two of the patio blocks from the second patio block type. The exposed surface of a patio may include that each of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block of the first patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of four of the patio blocks from the second patio block type. The exposed surface of a patio may include that any two of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of a patio block of the first patio block type are laid adjacent to any of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces of four of the patio blocks from the second patio block type.
A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
An embodiment of the landscaping or patio block is shown in
First area 107 is formed in a mold box with any desired first texture or pattern, and is shown in
Second area 108 is formed in a mold box with any desired second texture or pattern, the first texture or pattern of first area 107 being different than the second texture or pattern of second area 108. Further, the second texture or pattern could be a generally smooth surface which visually contrasts from the first texture or pattern. The pattern or texture may be formed, imparted, imprinted or applied to the mold in the mold box by a liner, a stripper shoe or any other suitable process as known in the art. The boundary of second area 108 is formed by second side surface 102, third side surface 103 and fourth side surface 104 along with division boundary 116. Division boundary 116 may have any angular slope across the top surface as desired and could be 90 degrees (orthogonal) or perpendicular to the third and fourth side surfaces. The second area 108 boundary extends the entire length along second surface 102, less than half of the length along third side surface 103 and more than half the length along fourth side surface 104 creating a trapezoid shape. It should be understood that the boundary, and thus the size and shape, of second area 108 is not limiting and could extend any distance along any of the side surfaces of block 100, covering any proportional area of top surface 106. Second area 108 could also have a boundary set back away from any or all side surfaces of block 100, covering the interior area of top surface 106 and total upper area 115.
First area 107 and second area 108 may be substantially equal in size, shape and surface area. Thus, first area 107 may cover around 50% of total upper area 115 and second area 108 may also cover around 50% of total upper area 115. It should be understood, however, that first area 107 and second area 108 may have any size, shape or surface area and thus the total proportion that first area 107 covers of top surface 106 (and upper area 115) could be greater than or less than 50%. Additionally, the total proportion that the second area 108 covers of top surface 106 (and upper area 115) could be greater than or less than 50%.
It should be understood that the first area and second area may have the same pattern when the pattern is rotated along an axis from the first area to the second area such that the rotation of the pattern creates a different aesthetic between the first and second areas such as shown in
It should further be understood that the first area and second area may both have the same pattern but with different textures as in
It should still be further understood that the first and second area could have the same pattern with different proportions or sizes in each of the first and second areas as shown in
Though the blocks illustrated above may have various dimensions, block 100 may have a height (i.e., the distance between surfaces 106 and 105) of about 2 inches (51 mm), a body length (i.e., the distance from side surface 101 to side surface 102) of about 16 inches (406 mm) and a width (i.e., the distance from side surface 103 to side surface 104) of about 16 inches (406 mm). It should be understood that these dimensions are not limiting and the landscaping or patio block may have any dimensions as desired.
Top surface 506 has a first area 507 and a second area 508 and both are the uppermost surfaces of block 500. First area 507 and second area 508 are on the same horizontal plane and form a total upper area 515 of block 500. First area 507 may be bordered by bevels or angular surfaces 510, 512, 513 and 514 and second area 508 may be bordered by bevels or angular surfaces 511, 512, 513 and 514. Top surface 506 may also have recessed surface or recessed division boundary 509 that separates first area 507 and second area 508. First area 507 may be formed with a rough texture or a texture like that of natural stone and second area 508 may be formed with a substantially smooth texture. First area 507 and second area 508 may have any desired size or shape and combined may form the total surface area of total upper area 515. First area 507, second area 508, angular surfaces 510, 511, 512, 513 and 514 along with the recessed surface of division boundary 509 may form the total surface area of top surface 506.
First area 507 is formed in a mold box with any desired first texture or pattern. The pattern or texture may be formed, imparted, imprinted or applied to the mold in the mold box by a liner, a stripper shoe or any other suitable process as known in the art. The boundary of first area 507 is formed by angular surface 512 and first side surface 501, angular surface 513 and third side surface 503 and angular surface and fourth side surface 504 along with angular surface 510 and recessed surface or division boundary 509. Recessed surface or division boundary 509 is angled from the third side surface 503 across top surface 506 to fourth side surface 504. Recessed surfaces or division boundary 509 may have any angular slope across top surface 506 from third side surface 503 to fourth side surface 504 as desired and could be 90 degrees or perpendicular to the third and fourth side surfaces. It should be understood that the boundary, and thus the size and shape, of first area 507 is not limiting and could extend any distance along any of the side surfaces of block 500, covering any desired proportional area of top surface 506. Additionally, the angular surfaces could also extend any distance along the side surfaces as desired. Further, it should be understood that only one of the first area or second area could be bordered by angular surfaces. It should also be understood that first area 507 and angular surfaces 510, 512, 513 and 514 may have the same texture or pattern or may have different textures or patterns as desired.
Second area 508 is formed in a mold box with any desired second texture or pattern, the first texture or pattern of first area 507 being different than the second texture or pattern of second area 508. The pattern or texture may be formed, imparted, imprinted or applied to the mold in the mold box by a liner, a stripper shoe or any other suitable process as known in the art. The boundary of second area 508 is formed by angular surface 512 and second side surface 502, angular surface 514 and third side surface 503 and angular surface 513 and fourth side surface 504 along with angular surface 511 and recessed surface or division boundary 509. It should be understood that the boundary, and thus the size and shape, of second area 508 is not limiting and could extend any distance along any of the side surfaces of block 500, covering any proportional area of top surface 506. Additionally, the angular surfaces could also extend any distance along the side surfaces as desired. It should also be understood that second area 508 and angular surfaces 511, 512, 513 and 514 may have the same texture or pattern or may have different textures or patterns as desired.
First area 607 is formed in a mold box with any desired first texture or pattern, and is shown in
Second area 608 is formed in a mold box with any desired second texture or pattern, the first texture or pattern of first area 607 being different than the second texture or pattern of second area 608. The pattern or texture may be formed, imparted, imprinted or applied to the mold in the mold box by a liner, a stripper shoe or any other suitable process as known in the art. The boundary of second area 108 is formed by division boundaries 616a, 616b, 616c and 616d. The second area 608 boundaries extends a portion of the length of second surface 602, a portion of the length of first surface 601, a portion of the length of third surface 603 and a portion of the length of fourth surface 604. It should be understood that the boundary, and thus the size and shape, of second area 608 is not limiting and could extend any length of the side surfaces of block 600, covering any proportional area of top surface 606.
An embodiment of a wall block is shown in
Block 700 may include openings or cores 714 and 715 that may extend from top surface 706 to bottom surface 705, or may only extend partially through block 700, i.e., open to top surface 706 but closed at bottom surface 705. Cores 714 and 715 reduce the weight of block 700. Lower block weight is both a manufacturing advantage and a constructional advantage when building a wall from the wall blocks as it reduces cost due to less material and makes lifting of the blocks easier. Block 700 may have first and second pin holes 718, extending through block 700; open to top surface 706 and bottom surface 705. It should be understood that this is not limiting and that block 700 can be manufactured with the pin holes extending from top surfaces 706 through any desired distance toward bottom surface 705, i.e., open to the top surface but not open to the bottom surface. Further pin holes 718 may be manufactured to open into any surface of core 715 and/or any surface of core 714 or may be manufactured to be closed to both cores. Block 700 may also be manufactured without any pin holes. The pin hole interior surfaces may be tapered from wider to narrower from the top surface to the bottom surface or its interior surfaces may be non-tapered or plumb. This taper of the surfaces of the pin holes is used in the manufacturing phase to help ease the removal of the block unit from the mold.
Pin holes are sized to receive a pin having a shaft which is placed into a pin hole in a lower course of blocks when constructing a wall. The pin may also have a head, which may have a larger diameter than the shaft and may also be tapered, square, round or any other desired shape. Additionally the shaft of the pin may be circular, square or any other desired shape as well. In this manner, the pin inserted into a pin hole on a lower course of blocks in a wall may engage a core of a block in an upper course. This results in an interlocking of the blocks with a predetermined setback or no setback as desired.
Top surface 706 may have receiving channels 730. Receiving channels 730 extend from side wall 701 to cores 714 and 715. Receiving channels 730 also extend from side wall 702 to cores 714 and 715. Depending upon the application, receiving channels may be of sufficient width and depth as to accommodate a channel bar or other connection means for securing geogrid to the courses of blocks during construction of a retaining wall. Receiving channels 730 may also receive horizontal reinforcing materials such as rebar during the construction of a wall. It should be understood that the top and bottom surfaces of block 700 may be reversible. In other words, when block 700 is used in the construction of a wall either top surface 706 or bottom surface 705 may face downward.
Front surface 703 has a first area 707 and a second area 708 and both first area 707 and second area 708 may be on the same vertical plane. First area 707 and second area 708 combined form a total exposed area 710 of block 700. Total exposed area 710 may be the combined total surface areas of first area 707 and second area 708 and may also be the total surface area of front surface 703.
First area 707 is formed in a mold box with any desired first texture or pattern, and is shown in
Second area 708 is formed in a mold box with any desired second texture or pattern, the first texture or pattern of first area 707 being different than the second texture or pattern of second area 708. The boundary of second area 708 is formed by second side surface 702, bottom surface 705 and top surface 706 along with division boundary 716. Division boundary 716 may have any angular slope as desired and could be 90 degrees (orthogonal) or perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces. The second area 708 boundary extends the entire length along second surface 702, more than half of the length along top surface 706 and less than half the length along bottom surface 705 creating a trapezoid shape. It should be understood that the boundary of first area 708 is not limiting and could extend any distance as desired along any of the side surfaces and thus could have any desired size or shape.
Alternate division boundary embodiments could separate first area 707 from second area 708. The division boundary could be perpendicular to bottom surface 705 and top surface 706. The division boundary could also have a 45 degree slope from the corner where first side surface 701 abuts the bottom surface 705, across front surface 703 to the corner where top surface 706 abuts second side surface 702. The division boundary could also be curvilinear. It should be understood that the division boundary could be linear or could have any type of shape or curve as desired and may be similar to the division boundaries shown in
First area 707 and second area 708 may be substantially equal in size, shape and surface area. Thus, first area 707 may cover around 50% of total exposed area 710 and second area 708 may also cover around 50% of total exposed area 710. It should be understood, however, that first area 707 and second area 708 may have any size, shape or surface area and thus the total proportion that first area 707 covers of front surface 703 (and exposed area 710) could be greater than or less than 50%. Additionally, the total proportion that the second area 708 covers of front surface 703 (and exposed area 710) could be greater than or less than 50%.
It should be understood that the patterns and designs of first area 707 and second area 708 are not limiting and any pattern or texture could be formed into or onto the first area and second area as desired. For example, either the first or second area may have a natural stone pattern, a brick and mortar pattern, a natural stone texture, or a substantially smooth texture or any pattern or texture, or combination of pattern and texture as desired. It should be further understood that the first area and second area may have the same pattern when the pattern is rotated from the first area to the second area such that the rotation of the pattern creates a different aesthetic between the first and second areas. It should be yet further understood that the first area and second area may both have the same pattern but with different textures. It should still be further understood that the first and second area could have the same pattern with different proportions or sizes in each of the first and second areas. It should be understood that first area 707 and second area 708 (along with any other additional areas as desired) may have similar sizes, shapes, proportions, patterns and textures as in
Though the blocks illustrated in the
First area 827 is formed in a mold box with any desired first texture or pattern, and is shown in
Second area 828 is formed in a mold box with any desired second texture or pattern, the first texture or pattern of first area 827 being different than the second texture or pattern of second area 828. The boundary of second area 828 is formed by first side surface 801, bottom surface 805 and top surface 806 along with division boundary 836. The second area 828 boundary extends the entire length along first side surface 801, more than half of the length along top surface 806 and less than half the length along bottom surface 805 creating a trapezoid shape. It should be understood that the boundary of second area 828 is not limiting and could extend any distance as desired along any of the side surfaces and thus could have any desired size or shape.
It should be understood that the patterns and designs of first area 827 and second area 828 are not limiting and any pattern or texture could be formed into or onto the first area and second area as desired and may be the same as the patterns or textures of first area 807 and second area 808 of front face 803 or may be different.
First area 907 is formed in a mold box with any desired first texture or pattern, and is shown in
Second area 908 is formed in a mold box with any desired second texture or pattern, the first texture or pattern of first area 907 being different than the second texture or pattern of second area 908. The boundary of second area 908 is formed by second side surface 902, bottom surface 905 and top surface 906 along with division boundary 916. The second area 908 boundary extends the entire length along second surface 902, more than half of the length along top surface 906 and less than half the length along bottom surface 905 creating a trapezoid shape. It should be understood that the boundary of first area 908 is not limiting and could extend any distance as desired along any of the side surfaces and thus could have any desired size, proportion or shape.
It should be understood that the patterns and designs of first area 907 and second area 908 are not limiting and any pattern or texture could be formed into or onto the first area and second area as desired. It should further be understood that division surface 917 could have any pattern or texture as desired and could be the same as that of the first area or second area or could be different than both the first and second areas.
Wall 54 is constructed with a diamond pattern such that a first course of wall blocks is constructed with alternating blocks 1000 and 1200. The next upper adjacent course of blocks is constructed with wall blocks 700 and 700a positioned such that the top surface is facing downward and the first area 707 of block 700 is place directly adjacent the first area 707a of an adjacent block 700a and the second area 708 of block 700 is placed directly adjacent the second area 708a of an adjacent block 700a. The next upper adjacent course is constructed with alternating blocks 1100 and 1300. The next upper adjacent course of blocks is constructed with wall blocks 700 and 700a positioned such that the top surface is facing upward and the first area 707 is place directly adjacent the first area 707a of the adjacent block and the second area 708 is placed directly adjacent the second area 708a of an adjacent block. The next upper course completes the diamond pattern in the wall and is constructed with alternating blocks 1000 and 1200. The pattern may be repeated as many times as desired depending upon the height of the wall.
Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims, which follow. In particular, it is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For instance, the choice of materials or variations in the shape or angles at which some of the surfaces intersect are believed to be a matter of routine for a person of ordinary skill in the art with knowledge of the embodiments disclosed herein.
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