Building block, system and method

Abstract

A block system includes a main block that has the lift and alignment devices positioned to overlie a longitudinal axis that intersects a center of gravity of the main block, and has a defined distance from the lift and alignment devices to a front surface of the main block. The block system further includes extended blocks that each has the lift and alignment devices positioned not to overlie a longitudinal axis that intersects a center of gravity of the extended block, but has the same defined distance from the lift and alignment devices to a front face of the extended block that exists on the main block. The recessed portions of the block may be larger than the lift and alignment devices, thereby allowing the blocks to be stacked in either a vertical wall or in a setback wall.

1 . A wall system for building a wall comprising:
 (A) a main block comprising:
 a first back surface; 
 first and second side surfaces coupled to the back surface; 
 a first top surface coupled to the back surface and to the first and second side surfaces, wherein the first top surface includes a first lift and alignment device for lifting the main block when the main block is being placed, the first lift and alignment device aligning a subsequently-placed block with respect to the main block, the first lift and alignment device overlying a first longitudinal axis that intersects a first center of gravity for the main block, resulting in the first lift and alignment device being a predetermined distance from a first front face of the main block; and 
 a first bottom surface coupled to the first back surface and to the first and second side surfaces, the bottom surface including at least one recess positioned to receive the lift and alignment device of a previously-placed block; 
   (B) an extended block comprising;
 a second back surface; 
 third and fourth side surfaces coupled to the second back surface; 
 a second top surface coupled to the second back surface and to the third and fourth side surfaces, wherein the second top surface includes a second lift and alignment device for lifting the extended block when the extended block is being placed, the second lift and alignment device aligning a subsequently-placed block with respect to the extended block, the second lift and alignment device being the same predetermined distance from a second front surface of the extended block as the distance from the first lift and alignment device to the first front surface of the main block, wherein the second lift and alignment device does not overlie a second longitudinal axis that intersects a second center gravity for the extended block. 
   
     
     
         2 . The wall system of  claim 1  further comprising the main block having the first back surface and a first front surface that are both finished surfaces of the block that resemble stone. 
     
     
         3 . The wall system of  claim 1  wherein the main block and the extended block both include at least one void extending from the first top surface to the first bottom surface.