Composite masonry block

Abstract

A masonry block wall system includes a plurality of brackets which establish a wall framework. Each bracket includes a plurality of fins adapted to receive and support at least one block member such that the fins establish a desired alignment of block members relative to one another.

1 . A masonry block wall system, comprising:
 a plurality of brackets arranged to establish a wall framework, each of said plurality of brackets having a plurality of fins adapted to receive and support at least one block member such that said plurality of fins establish a desired alignment of block members relative to each other.   
   
   
       2 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of brackets comprise bracket studs that each have a plurality of fins sufficient to receive and support at least a portion of at least three block members. 
   
   
       3 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fins receive a corresponding slot of said at least one block member to secure said at least one block member to said plurality of brackets. 
   
   
       4 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fins are disposed along a height of said plurality of brackets and on each side of a width of said plurality of brackets, wherein adjacent fins along said height of each of said plurality of brackets extend in opposing directions from one another and adjacent fins along said width of each of said plurality of brackets extend in a similar direction relative to one another. 
   
   
       5 . The wall system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of said plurality of brackets include a face section disposed along said height and said width of each of said plurality of brackets. 
   
   
       6 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fins of adjacent brackets of said plurality of brackets extend in an opposite direction relative to each other. 
   
   
       7 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of brackets establish a horizontal spacing and a vertical spacing of block members relative to each other. 
   
   
       8 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least one cross member extending between said plurality of brackets to support said wall framework. 
   
   
       9 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the wall system includes an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein said plurality of brackets establish a width between said inner wall and said outer wall. 
   
   
       10 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of brackets include at least one trough that funnels water through the wall system. 
   
   
       11 . A method of assembling a wall system, comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning a plurality of bracket members to establish a self-supporting wall frame; and   (b) attaching a plurality of block members to the plurality of bracket members.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of:
 affixing a first row of the plurality of bracket members at a starter strip; and   connecting a second row of the plurality of bracket members to the plurality of bracket members of the first row.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of bracket members are bracket studs and said step (a) comprises the step of:
 affixing a first bracket stud at a starter strip; and   affixing a second bracket stud adjacent to the first bracket stud along the starter strip.   
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said step (b) comprises:
 sliding the plurality of block members over a plurality of fins of the plurality of bracket members.   
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , comprising the step of:
 (c) applying an adhesive to at least a portion of the plurality of block members to secure the plurality of block members to the plurality of bracket members.   
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said step (c) comprises:
 applying the adhesive along an interface between each of the plurality of block members and a corresponding bracket member; and   applying the adhesive within a plurality of joints extending between adjacent block members.   
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said step (b) is performed subsequent to said step (a). 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , comprising the step of:
 (c) insulating and reinforcing the wall system.   
   
   
       19 . A composite masonry block wall system, comprising:
 a first row of composite masonry blocks; and   a second row of composite masonry blocks affixed to said first row, wherein said composite masonry blocks each include a first block member, a second block member and at least one bracket member, wherein said bracket members establish a wall frame independent of said first block members and said second block members.   
   
   
       20 . The wall system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said bracket members of said first row and said second row form a self-supporting wall frame, wherein said bracket members of said first row and said second row are spaced apart a length equal to approximately 50% of a length of said first block members and said second block members. 
   
   
       21 . The wall system as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said bracket members each define a plurality of tabs and a plurality of leg members, wherein said plurality of tabs of said bracket members of said first row are at least partially received by said plurality of leg members of said bracket members of said second row.