Decorative modular masonry block

Abstract

A decorative modular masonry unit includes a central web, a cylindrical end portion, and a second end portion providing a plurality of concave or recessed grooves. The cylindrical end portion of one modular masonry unit articulates with a recessed groove of a like-shaped unit to form a modular structure. A series of units may be assembled into patterns of varying size and configuration.

1 . A modular masonry unit comprising: 
 an elongated central portion having opposed first and second ends,    a first end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the first end of the central portion and having a convex region, and    a second end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the second end of the central portion and having a circumferential margin defining a plurality of concave regions,    wherein each concave region is sized and configured to articulate with a complementary convex region on another modular masonry unit, and    wherein the convex region is sized and configured to articulate with a complementary concave region on another modular masonry unit.    
   
   
       2 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the central portion includes a concave region articulating with the convex region of the first end portion, and    wherein the central portion includes a convex region articulating with one of the plurality of concave portions of the second end portion.    
   
   
       3 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the second end portion includes first, second, and third concave regions.    
   
   
       4 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 1 , 
 wherein each of the plurality of concave regions is spaced at a 90° angle relative to an adjacent concave region.    
   
   
       5 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the unit is of one-piece construction.    
   
   
       6 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at an angle from 0° to about 180°.    
   
   
       7 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 6 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 45° angle.    
   
   
       8 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 6 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 90° angle.    
   
   
       9 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 6 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 135° angle.    
   
   
       10 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 6 , wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 180° angle.  
   
   
       11 . A modular masonry system comprising: 
 a first modular masonry unit comprising an elongated central portion having opposed first and second ends, a first end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the first end of the central portion and having a convex region, a second end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the second end of the central portion and having a circumferential margin defining a plurality of concave regions, and    a second modular masonry unit having a convex region sized and configured to articulate with at least one of the plurality of concave regions of the first modular unit to interlock the first and second modular units.    
   
   
       12 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are adapted to interlock at an angle from 0° to about 180°.    
   
   
       13 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are like-shaped.    
   
   
       14 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 11 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are complementary, paired units.    
   
   
       15 . A modular masonry system comprising: 
 a first modular masonry unit comprising an elongated central portion having opposed first and second ends, a first end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the first end of the central portion and having a convex region, and a second end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the second end of the central portion and having a circumferential margin defining a plurality of concave regions, and    a second modular masonry unit having a concave region sized and configured to articulate with the convex region of the first modular unit to interlock the first and second modular units.    
   
   
       16 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 15 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are adapted to articulate at an angle from 0° to about 180°.    
   
   
       17 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 15 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are like-shaped.    
   
   
       18 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 15 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are complementary, paired units.    
   
   
       19 . A modular masonry unit comprising: 
 an elongated central portion having opposed first and second ends,    a first end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the first end of the central portion and having a convex region, and    a second end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the second end of the central portion and having a concave region,    wherein the concave region is sized and configured to articulate with a complementary convex region on another modular masonry unit, and    wherein the convex region is sized and configured to articulate with a complementary concave region on another modular masonry unit,    the unit including a scalloped surface.    
   
   
       20 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the unit includes a scalloped top surface.    
   
   
       21 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the unit includes a scalloped side surface.    
   
   
       22 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the first end portion includes a cylindrical region.    
   
   
       23 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 22 , 
 wherein a neck couples the cylindrical region with the central portion.    
   
   
       24 . A modular masonry unit as in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the unit is of one-piece construction.    
   
   
       25 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 19 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at an angle from 0° to about 180°.    
   
   
       26 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 25 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 45° angle.    
   
   
       27 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 25 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 90° angle.    
   
   
       28 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 25 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 1350 angle.    
   
   
       29 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 25 , 
 wherein the unit is adapted to interlock with another modular unit at a substantially 180° angle.    
   
   
       30 . A modular masonry system comprising: 
 a first modular masonry unit comprising an elongated central portion having opposed first and second ends, a first end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the first end of the central portion and having a convex region, and a second end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the second end of the central portion and having a concave region, the unit including a scalloped surface, and    a second modular masonry unit comprising a convex region sized and configured to articulate with the concave region of the first modular unit to interlock the first and second modular units.    
   
   
       31 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 30 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are adapted to articulate at an angle from 0° to about 180°.    
   
   
       32 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 30 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are like-shaped.    
   
   
       33 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 30 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are complementary, paired units.    
   
   
       34 . A modular masonry system comprising: 
 a first modular masonry unit comprising an elongated central portion having opposed first and second ends, a first end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the first end of the central portion and having a convex region, and a second end portion coaxial with the central portion adjacent the second end of the central portion and having a concave region, the unit including a scalloped surface, and    a second modular masonry unit comprising a concave region sized and configured to articulate with the convex region of the first modular unit to interlock the first and second modular units.    
   
   
       35 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 34 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are adapted to articulate at an angle from 0° to about 180°.    
   
   
       36 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 34 , 
 wherein the first and second modular units are like-shaped.    
   
   
       37 . A modular masonry system as in  claim 34 , wherein the first and second modular units are complementary, paired units.