Materials and methods for constructing a block wall

Abstract

A construction block for use with other like construction blocks to build a retaining wall. The block has substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and two substantially parallel sides. The front of the block is “bullet shaped,” with a front nose surface being substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces. Angled front sides join the nose surface to the sides, forming a 45° angle with the front and side surfaces. The rear portion of the block is generally a mirror of the front portion, with a rear surface that is substantially parallel to the front nose surface and substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces. Angled rear “tail” surfaces connect the side surfaces to the rear surface at a 45° angle. The edges where the top surface joins the side and front surfaces may be beveled. At least one hole is located in the front portion of the block, passing vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface. At least one hole may additionally be located in the rear portion of the block. The rear hole may be open to the rear rather than being fully closed. Multiple front holes and multiple rear holes may be provided.

1 . A construction block for use with other construction blocks to build a wall, said construction block comprising;
 a) a top surface and a bottom surface, said top and bottom surfaces being substantially parallel to one another;   b) two substantially parallel side surfaces, said side surfaces being substantially perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces;   c) a front nose portion comprising a front surface that is substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces, and a pair of front angled surfaces joining the front surface to the side surfaces, wherein said front angled surfaces form a 45° angle with respect to the front and side surfaces;   e) a rear portion shaped to receive the front end of a corresponding block when two of said blocks are placed in a front-to-end orientation, said rear portion comprising a rear surface that is substantially parallel to the front nose surface and substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces, and a pair of rear angled surfaces joining the rear surface to the side surfaces, wherein said rear angled surfaces form a 45° angle with respect to the rear and side surfaces; f) a first hole extending through the block, wherein said hole passes vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface, said first hole being positioned in the forward half of the block; and   g) an indent in said rear surface, said indent defining a second hole extending through the block when two of said blocks are placed in a front-to-end orientation, said second hole passing vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface.   
   
   
       2 . A method of building a wall, said method comprising:
 a) providing a multiplicity of construction elements for use with other construction elements to build a wall, each of said multiplicity of construction element comprising;
 i) a top surface and a bottom surface, said top and bottom surfaces being substantially parallel to one another; 
 ii) two substantially parallel side surfaces, said side surfaces being substantially perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces; 
 iii) a front nose portion comprising a front surface that is substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces, and a pair of front angled surfaces joining the front surface to the side surfaces, wherein said front angled surfaces form a 45° angle with respect to the front and side surfaces; 
 iv) a rear portion shaped to receive the front end of a corresponding block when two of said blocks are placed in a front-to-end orientation, said rear portion comprising a rear surface that is substantially parallel to the front nose surface and substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces, and a pair of rear angled surfaces joining the rear surface to the side surfaces, wherein said rear angled surfaces form a 45° angle with respect to the rear and side surfaces; and 
 v) a first hole extending through the block, wherein said hole passes vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface, said first hole being positioned in the forward half of the block; and 
 vi) an indent in said rear surface, said indent defining a second hole extending through the block when two of said blocks are placed in a front-to-end orientation said second hole passing vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface; 
   b) positioning one of said construction elements in a location desired to build a wall;   c) positioning a second of said construction elements such that the front nose portion of the second construction element fits in the rear portion of the first construction element;   d) positioning additional construction elements such that the nose of additional elements fits into the rear portion of a prior element to build a first course of construction elements;   e) positioning additional construction elements on top of said first course of construction elements in a like manner to build a second course of construction elements, wherein a hole in each of said construction elements is vertically aligned with a hole in a construction element in an adjacent course;   f) providing a vertical stabilizing element in a series of aligned holes to stabilize the adjacent courses of construction elements.   
   
   
       3 . A method of building a wall, said method comprising:
 a) providing a multiplicity of construction elements for use with other construction elements to build a wall, each of said multiplicity of construction element comprising;
 i) a top surface and a bottom surface, said top and bottom surfaces being substantially parallel to one another; 
 ii) two substantially parallel side surfaces, said side surfaces being substantially perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces; 
 iii) a front nose portion comprising a front surface that is substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces, and a pair of front angled surfaces joining the front surface to the side surfaces, wherein said front angled surfaces form a 45° angle with respect to the front and side surfaces; 
 iv) a rear portion shaped to receive the front end of a corresponding block when two of said blocks are placed in a front-to-end orientation, said rear portion comprising a rear surface that is substantially parallel to the front nose surface and substantially perpendicular to the top, bottom, and side surfaces, and a pair of rear angled surfaces joining the rear surface to the side surfaces, wherein said rear angled surfaces form a 45° angle with respect to the rear and side surfaces; and 
 v) a first hole extending through the block, wherein said hole passes vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface, said first hole being positioned in the forward half of the block; and 
 vi) an indent in said rear surface, said indent defining a second hole extending through the block when two of said blocks are placed in a front-to-end orientation said second hole passing vertically through the block from the top surface through the bottom surface; 
   b) positioning one of said construction elements in a location desired to build a wall;   c) positioning a second of said construction elements such that the front nose portion of the second construction element fits in the rear portion of the first construction element;   d) positioning additional construction elements such that the nose of additional elements fits into the rear portion of a prior element to build a first course of construction elements;   e) positioning additional construction elements on top of said first course of construction elements in a like manner to build a second course of construction elements, wherein a hole in each of said construction elements is vertically aligned with a hole in a construction element in an adjacent course;   f) connecting a lateral stabilizing element to at least one of said construction elements to stabilize said construction element.   
   
   
       4 . The construction block of  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom surfaces of said block are substantially flat and free of ridges or grooves; 
   
   
       5 . The construction block of  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom surfaces of said block are free of longitudinal grooves. 
   
   
       6 . The construction block of  claim 4  wherein the top and bottom surfaces of said block are free of longitudinal grooves.