Wall system

Abstract

The present invention relates to decorative and structural blocks designed to be installed as skirting structures for buildings, elevated structures and structural elements such as posts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system that uses specifically designed and manufactured masonry blocks that are used in conjunction with specifically designed support beams and/or brackets to provide durable, attractive, easy to assemble surfaces or skirting structures. The blocks are shaped to be stacked in vertically independent, self-supporting columns, strengthened and linked together by specially shaped, lightweight, lateral support beams positioned between adjacent columns, and which may be attached directly or indirectly to a sub-structure.

1 : A wall system for a substructure, the wall system comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated beams, with each beam comprising: 
 an elongate web;  
 a first elongate rib integrally formed with and extending away from said elongate web; and,  
 a leg structure comprising: 
 a leg portion that extends away from the beam a distance sufficient to space said elongate ribs away from the substructure; and,  
 a foot portion extending from the leg portion, with the foot portion configured and arranged to be fastened to the substructure;  
 
   a plurality of blocks, with each block comprising: 
 a front face;  
 a rear face spaced from the front face by a distance defining the depth of the block;  
 a top surface;  
 a bottom surface spaced from the top surface by a distance defining the height of the block;  
 a first side surface; and,  
 a second side surface spaced from the first side surface by a distance defining the width of the block, with each side surface having a recess configured to engage a portion of a rib of a beam;  
   wherein said beams are arranged in a substantially parallel relation and operatively connected to the substructure at predetermined locations; and,    wherein the plurality of blocks are positioned between adjacent parallel beams such that the recesses of each block slidingly engage portions of said elongate ribs to form the wall for the substructure.    
   
   
       2 : The wall system of  claim 1 , wherein the leg structure is offset from the web of each beam.  
   
   
       3 : The wall system of  claim 1 , wherein each beam further comprises a second leg structure.  
   
   
       4 : The wall system of  claim 3 , wherein the second leg structure comprises a second leg portion and a foot portion.  
   
   
       5 : The wall system of  claim 4 , wherein the first foot portion and the second foot portion extend from their respective leg portions in the same direction.  
   
   
       6 : The wall system of  claim 3 , wherein the second leg structure is offset from the web of the beam.  
   
   
       7 : The wall system of  claim 1 , wherein each beam further comprises a second elongate rib extending laterally from the web in a direction generally opposite the direction of the first elongate rib, the first and second ribs defining a first pair of ribs.  
   
   
       8 : The wall system of  claim 7 , wherein each beam further comprises a third elongate rib extending laterally from the web and configured to contact a portion of the rear surface of at least one block, with the third elongate rib operatively connecting the web to the leg section.  
   
   
       9 : The wall system of  claim 8 , wherein each beam further comprises a fourth elongate rib extending laterally from the web and configured to contact a portion of the rear surface of at least one block, with the fourth elongate rib operatively connecting the web to a second leg section, and with the third and fourth ribs defining a second pair of ribs.  
   
   
       10 : The wall system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one foot portion of the plurality of beams is operatively connected to the substructure.  
   
   
       11 : A wall system for a substructure, the wall system comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated beams, with each beam comprising: 
 an elongate web;  
 a first elongate rib integrally formed with and extending away from said elongate web; and,  
 a leg structure comprising: 
 a leg portion that extends away from the beam a distance sufficient to space said elongate ribs away from the substructure; and,  
 a foot portion extending from the leg portion, with the foot portion configured and arranged to be fastened to the substructure;  
 
   a plurality of blocks, with each block comprising: 
 a front face;  
 a rear face spaced from the front face by a distance defining the depth of the block;  
 a top surface;  
 a bottom surface spaced from the top surface by a distance defining the height of the block;  
 a first side surface; and,  
 a second side surface spaced from the first side surface by a distance defining the width of the block, with each side surface having a recess configured to engage a portion of a rib of a beam;  
   a plurality of brackets, with each bracket comprising a substructure attachment portion and a beam connection portion;    wherein said brackets are attached to the substructure at predetermined locations;    wherein at least two of the beams are slidingly connected to at least two of said beam connecting portions of said brackets, with the two beams being substantially parallel with respect to each other; and,    wherein the plurality of blocks are positioned between adjacent parallel beams such that the recesses of each block slidingly engage portions of said elongate ribs to form the wall for the substructure.    
   
   
       12 : The wall system of  claim 11 , wherein the leg structure is offset from the web of each beam.  
   
   
       13 : The wall system of  claim 11 , wherein each beam further comprises a second leg structure.  
   
   
       14 : The wall system of  claim 13 , wherein the second leg structure comprises a second leg portion and a foot portion.  
   
   
       15 : The wall system of  claim 14 , wherein the first foot portion and the second foot portion extend from their respective leg portions in the same direction.  
   
   
       16 : The wall system of  claim 13 , wherein the second leg structure is offset from the web of the beam.  
   
   
       17 : The wall system of  claim 11 , wherein each beam further comprises a second elongate rib extending laterally from the web in a direction generally opposite the direction of the first elongate rib, the first and second ribs defining a first pair of ribs.  
   
   
       18 : The wall system of  claim 17 , wherein each beam further comprises a third elongate rib extending laterally from the web and configured to contact a portion of the rear surface of at least one block, with the third elongate rib operatively connecting the web to the leg section.  
   
   
       19 : The wall system of  claim 18 , wherein each beam further comprises a fourth elongate rib extending laterally from the web and configured to contact a portion of the rear surface of at least one block, with the fourth elongate rib operatively connecting the web to a second leg section, and with the third and fourth ribs defining a second pair of ribs.  
   
   
       20 : The wall system of  claim 11 , wherein the lowermost course of blocks of the wall of the substructure supports successive courses of blocks.  
   
   
       21 : A beam suitable for use in constructing a wall, the beam comprising: 
 an elongate web;    a first pair of elongate ribs integrally formed with and extending away from said elongate web in generally opposite directions, with each of said ribs having a predetermined thickness and an effective thickness that is greater than said predetermined thickness; and,    a first leg structure comprising: 
 a first leg portion that extends away from the beam a distance sufficient to space said elongate ribs away from a substructure; and,  
 a first foot portion extending from the first leg portion, with the first foot portion configured and arranged to be fastened to the substructure;  
   a second leg structure comprising; and, 
 a second leg portion that extends away from the beam a distance sufficient to space said elongate ribs away from the substructure, with the second leg portion spaced from and substantially parallel to the first leg portion; and,  
 a second foot portion extending from the second leg portion, with the second foot portion in alignment with the first foot portion.