Concrete retaining wall block

Abstract

A retaining wall block which simulates natural stone blocks and which can be dry stacked to form a landscape retaining wall. The block has a generally flat back and substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces which extend substantially perpendicular to the back. The front of the block and sides of the block are preferably textured with an irregular pattern which simulates natural stone. The front of the block is sufficiently irregular as to not be perpendicular to the top and bottom or parallel to the back of the block. Sides of the block are not parallel to each other and may be textured to have an appearance consistent with the front of the block.

1 . A concrete retaining wall block having a generally flat back surface, a top surface extending substantially perpendicular to said back surface, a bottom surface extending substantially perpendicular to said back surface and substantially parallel to said top surface, a front surface which is exposed when said block is stacked with other blocks to form a retaining wall, wherein said front surface is textured with a pattern to simulate natural stone wherein said pattern is sufficiently irregular that said front surface is not perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces and is not parallel to said back surface, and at least one side surface area extending from said front surface towards said back surface which is not distinct in appearance from said front surface. 
   
   
       2 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein said at least one surface area comprises a left side surface extending between said front surface and said back surface, and a right side surface extending between said front surface and said back surface, and wherein said left and right side surfaces are not parallel. 
   
   
       3 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 2 , and wherein the pattern on said front surface extends at least partially from said front surface onto each of said side surfaces. 
   
   
       4 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 3 , and wherein said left side surface and said right side surface have different depths. 
   
   
       5 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 2 , and wherein said left and right side surfaces meet said back surface at different angles. 
   
   
       6 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 5 , and wherein said left and right side surfaces are perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces only where said left and right side surfaces meet said back surface. 
   
   
       7 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein said at least one side surface area comprises a side surface extending between said front surface and said back surface, wherein said side surface is not perpendicular to said back surface. 
   
   
       8 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 7 , and wherein said at least one side surface comprises two side surfaces extending between said front surface and said back surface, wherein said two side surfaces are not perpendicular to said back surface. 
   
   
       9 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 8 , and wherein said two side surfaces are perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces only where said side surfaces meet said back surface. 
   
   
       10 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 7 , and wherein said side surface is perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces only where said side surface meets said back surface. 
   
   
       11 . A concrete retaining wall block, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein at least portions of said top and bottom surfaces which are visible when a plurality of said retaining wall blocks are stacked are textured with a pattern to simulate natural stone consistent with said front surface.