Wall system

Abstract

A wall system includes a bracket assembly and at least one block member. The bracket assembly establishes a self-supporting wall frame. The at least one block member is supported on the self-supporting wall frame. The at least one block member includes an outer face, an inner face, and a top face extending between said outer face and said inner face. The top face locates the at least one block member on the self-supporting wall frame.

1 . A wall system, comprising:
 a bracket assembly which establishes a self-supporting wall frame; and   at least one block member supported on said self-supporting wall frame and having an outer face, an inner face, and a top face extending between said outer face and said inner face, wherein said top face locates said at least one block member on said self-supporting wall frame.   
   
   
       2 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly includes a wall component and a plurality of ledger clips attached to said wall component, wherein said plurality of ledger clips extend horizontally across said wall component to establish a plurality of rows of said self-supporting wall frame. 
   
   
       3 . The wall system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said ledger clips comprise a z-shape, said ledger clips including at least one leg member that is received directly against said top face of said at least one block member to position said at least one block member to said self-supporting wall frame. 
   
   
       4 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of block members and wherein said bracket assembly includes a plurality of vertical bars positioned between horizontally adjacent block members of said plurality of block members. 
   
   
       5 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of block members and wherein said bracket assembly includes a plurality of backer sheets positioned between horizontally adjacent block members of said plurality of block members. 
   
   
       6 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of backer sheets are non-corrosive. 
   
   
       7 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top face includes a ledge that locates said at least one block member on said self-supporting wall frame. 
   
   
       8 . The wall system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said ledge extends between said outer face and an inner surface of said inner face. 
   
   
       9 . The wall system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said ledge extends transverse from said outer face in a direction toward said inner face, wherein at least a portion of said bracket assembly is in direct contact with said at least one block member. 
   
   
       10 . The wall system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said self-supporting wall frame establishes said wall system independently of any existing surface. 
   
   
       11 . A method of constructing a wall system, comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning stud members at a desired spacing;   (b) attaching bracket members to the stud members to establish a self-supporting wall frame independently of any existing surface; and   (c) supporting block members on the self-supporting wall frame to construct the wall system.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , comprising the step of:
 (d) positioning non-corrosive backer sheets between horizontally adjacent block members.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , comprising the step of:
 (e) applying mortar in each of a plurality of horizontal joints and vertical joints that extend between the block members.   
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , comprising the step of:
 (e) communicating moisture vertically downward relative to the wall system via the non-corrosive backer sheets.   
   
   
       15 . A block member for a wall system, comprising:
 an outer face extending between opposing end faces and establishing a first height;   an inner face extending between said opposing end faces on an opposite side from said outer face, wherein said inner face establishes a second height that is greater than said first height; and   a top face extending between said outer face and said inner face and including a ledge at least partially coextensive with said outer face and extending between said outer face and said inner face.   
   
   
       16 . The block member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said inner face includes a plurality of protrusions extending from said inner face in a direction away from said outer face. 
   
   
       17 . The block member as recited in  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of indentations extend between said plurality of protrusions of said inner face. 
   
   
       18 . The block member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said ledge extends between said outer face and an inner surface of said inner face, and said ledge defines a height that is less than said second height of said inner face. 
   
   
       19 . The block member as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said inner surface extends from said inner face in a direction toward said outer face. 
   
   
       20 . The block member as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said ledge extends transversely from said outer face in a direction toward said inner face.