Building block

Abstract

A building block includes ends having recesses and ribs. Each block end has a recess about ½ the width of a stud in the upper portion so that when blocks are placed end to end they can support a stud. The front and back of the blocks ends have vertical braces or protrusions that form vertical recesses for mortar and a mortar overflow area. The front of the block can have a facade with its ends extending around its front corners.

1 . A building block comprising:
 a molded block forming a front face, a back face, end faces, a top surface and a bottom surface;   said block end faces adjacent said back face having a stud recess;   said stud recess opening upwardly to said block top surface and outwardly to said block back surface;   said stud recess being formed by a forward vertical wall, a vertical side wall and a horizontal base;   vertical mortar recesses extending along said block end face;   said vertical mortar recesses being formed by braces that extend vertically on said block end faces.   
   
   
       2 . A building block as in  claim 1  wherein:
 one said vertical mortar recess extends from said stud recess horizontal base to said block bottom surface.   
   
   
       3 . A building block as in  claim 2  wherein:
 said one vertical mortar recess extending from said stud recess horizontal base is a first vertical recess;   a second vertical recess extends adjacent said block front face and extends from said block top surface to said block bottom surface.   
   
   
       4 . A building block as in  claim 1  wherein:
 said vertical mortar recesses extend adjacent said front surface from said block top surface to said block bottom surface.   
   
   
       5 . A building block as in  claim 4  wherein:
 said vertical mortar recesses extending adjacent said front surface are formed between a front brace and mortar backing.   
   
   
       6 . A building block as in  claim 5  wherein:
 said mortar backing forms one side of a mortar overflow area extending vertically between said mortar backing and said stud recess.   
   
   
       7 . A building block as in  claim 5  wherein:
 said mortar backing front face is parallel to said block front face;   said mortar backing rear face is tapered towards said mortar overflow area.   
   
   
       8 . A building block as in  claim 3  wherein:
 third mortar overflow area recesses extend parallel to said first vertical mortar recesses and extend parallel to said second vertical mortar recesses, between said stud recess and said front mortar recess.   
   
   
       9 . A building block as in  claim 8  wherein:
 said vertical mortar recesses extending adjacent said front surface are formed between a front brace and mortar backing;   said mortar backing forms one side of a mortar overflow area extending vertically between said mortar backing and said stud recess;   said mortar backing front face is parallel to said block front face;   said mortar backing rear face is tapered towards said mortar overflow area.   
   
   
       10 . A building block as in  claim 1  wherein:
 said stud horizontal base extends out beyond said block end faces.   
   
   
       11 . A building block as in  claim 1  including:
 a facade attached to said block front face.   
   
   
       12 . A building block as in  claim 11  wherein:
 said facade has ends that extend around the ends of said block front face onto said block end faces.   
   
   
       13 . A building block as in  claim 8  wherein:
 stud wall protrusions extend out on said block end faces extending from said top surface to said bottom surface at the stud recess forward vertical wall.   
   
   
       14 . A building block as in  claim 13  wherein:
 said stud wall protrusions form a back wall for said mortar overflow area.   
   
   
       15 . A building block as in  claim 14  including:
 a facade attached to said block front face.   
   
   
       16 . A building block as in  claim 15  wherein:
 said facade has ends that extend around the ends of said block front face onto said block end faces.   
   
   
       17 . A building block as in  claim 1  wherein:
 said stud horizontal base extends upward from said block bottom surface, 10 to 50% of the distance between said block bottom surface and said block top surface.   
   
   
       18 . A building block as in  claim 1  wherein:
 said stud forward vertical wall extends from said block back face 15 to 50% the distance between said block back face and said block front face.   
   
   
       19 . A building block as in  claim 17  wherein:
 said stud forward vertical wall extends from said block back face 15 to 50% the distance between said block back face and said block front face.   
   
   
       20 . A building block as in  claim 1  wherein:
 said stud recess extends out from said stud recess vertical side wall from ¾ to 2½ inches.