Retaining wall masonry block

Abstract

A masonry block that may be used in construction of block walls particularly retaining walls for retaining soil and preventing soil erosion. A masonry block having at least one body with a front face, back face, a pair of sides extending therebetween a top face and a bottom face, defining a block having six major surfaces. One of the sides has an opening therethrough that is in communication with a cavity extending inwardly in relation to the body. The cavity is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a hand therein to provide structure for easily grasping and lifting the block. The centerline of the cavity extends from the opening inwardly so that the angle between the centerline and the portion of the side adjacent to the opening is less than 90 degrees, so that the cupped fingers of a user may be received therein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A masonry block, comprising: 
 at least one body defined by a front face, a back face, a pair of sides extending therebetween, a top face and a bottom face; said body having a first opening through one of said pair of sides and a first cavity being in communication with said opening, said first cavity extending inwardly said body, said first cavity being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a hand therein, said first cavity having a centerline extending inwardly from said one side and the angle between the centerline and the portion of said one side adjacent said first opening being less than 90 degrees, so that the cupped fingers of a user may be received therein.    
     
     
         2 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  wherein the centerline of said cavity extends inwardly from said one side toward said front face.  
     
     
         3 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  wherein the centerline of said cavity extends inwardly from said one side toward said rear face.  
     
     
         4 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 said first cavity having at least one wall and at least a portion of said at least one wall being arcuate.  
 
     
     
         5 . A masonry block as in  claim 4  further comprising: 
 said at least one wall of said first cavity having a planar shape defined by a plane passing through said at least one wall at generally right angles to the longitudinal axis of said first cavity, at least one half of said planar shape being arcuate.  
 
     
     
         6 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 said cavity having a longitudinal axis, and the width of said cavity proximal said first opening into said cavity being smaller than the width of said cavity proximal said longitudinal axis of said cavity.  
 
     
     
         7 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 said cavity extending along a longitudinal axis through said bottom face of said body, and said cavity having an end wall intersecting said longitudinal axis and intersecting said at least one wall of said cavity such that said cavity is closed in relation to said top face of said body.  
 
     
     
         8 . A masonry block as in  claim 7  further comprising: 
 said end wall of said cavity extending inwardly from said one side of said pair of sides to form an oblique angle with said wall of said cavity, whereby said end wall is angled away from said top face of said body.  
 
     
     
         9 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one groove extending along a portion of said bottom face generally perpendicular to said front face and perpendicular to said rear face, said groove being used as a guide for breaking said body into separate portions along a plane passing through said groove.  
 
     
     
         10 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a groove extending along said bottom face generally parallel and proximal to said back face, said groove being used as a guide for breaking said body into separate portions along a plane passing through said groove.  
 
     
     
         11 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a groove extending across each side of said pair of sides proximal to and generally parallel to said front face, each said groove being used as a guide for breaking said body into separate portions along a plane passing through each said groove.  
 
     
     
         12 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one groove extending across said back face and lying in the same plane as said at least one groove extending across said bottom face, said groove extending across said back face being used as a guide for breaking said body into separate portions along a plane passing through said groove across said back face.  
 
     
     
         13 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 said body having a second opening through the other one of said pair of sides and a second cavity being formed such that said cavity extends inwardly said body in communication with said second opening, said cavity having at least one wall and being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a hand therein, said cavity having a centerline extending inwardly from said other one of said pair of sides such that the centerline is angled toward said front face.  
 
     
     
         14 . A masonry block as in  claim 13  further comprising; 
 said second cavity having at least one wall having a planar shape defined by a plane passing through said at least one wall at generally right angles to the longitudinal axis of said second cavity, at least one fourth of said planar shape being arcuate.  
 
     
     
         15 . A masonry block as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first wing attached to one side of said pair of sides of said body adjacent to said back face and a second wing attached to the other one of said pair of sides, a channel formed in each said wing along the juncture between said wings and said body.  
 
     
     
         16 . A masonry block as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one body comprises a first body and a second body, said front face of said first body being joined to said front face of said second body, a groove being formed in said bottom surface along said interface between said first and second bodies, said groove comprising a guide for separating said first and second bodies along a plane passing through said groove.