Masonry Block With Partial Cells

Abstract

A masonry block configured to be larger than conventional two cell masonry block yet include cells that align with conventional cells in conventional two cell masonry blocks is disclosed. Thus, the masonry block disclosed herein may be used together with conventional two cell masonry blocks. In addition, the masonry block configured to be larger than conventional two cell masonry block may be formed from materials lighter than conventional materials yet possessing similar strength. As such, a mason is able to assembly more of a wall with the masonry block per unit of time using the masonry block disclosed herein than a conventional block. In at least one embodiment, a mason is able to lay about 50% more liner feet of block with the masonry block herein than using conventional two cell masonry block. Thus, the masonry block disclosed herein enables masons to realize substantial labor cost savings per job.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A masonry block, comprising:
 a first side wall;   a second side wall spaced laterally from the first side wall;   a first support web extending from the first side wall to the second side wall;   a second support web extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and spaced apart from the first support web;   a third support web extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and positioned between the first and second support webs;   wherein the third support web forms a first cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the first and third support webs, whereby the first cell includes at least one top opening and at least one bottom opening;   wherein the third support web forms a second cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the second and third support webs, whereby the second cell includes at least one top opening and at least one bottom opening;   wherein the first and second side walls extend longitudinally beyond the first support web to form a first partial cell, whereby the first partial cell is formed from portions of the first and second side walls and the first support web; and   wherein the first and second side walls extend longitudinally beyond the second support web to form a second partial cell, whereby the second partial cell is formed from portions of the first and second side walls and the second support web.   
     
     
         2 . The masonry block of  claim 1 , wherein the first partial cell is formed from a first half cell, and the second partial cell is formed from a second half cell. 
     
     
         3 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the first half cell is formed from at least one top opening, at least one bottom opening and a side opening. 
     
     
         4 . The masonry block of  claim 3 , wherein a length of the first half cell in a longitudinal direction of the masonry block is about one half a length of the first cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the first and third support webs. 
     
     
         5 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the second half cell is formed from at least one top opening, at least one bottom opening and a side opening. 
     
     
         6 . The masonry block of  claim 5 , wherein a length of the second half cell in a longitudinal direction of the masonry block is about one half a length of the second cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the second and third support webs. 
     
     
         7 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein an overall length of the masonry block is larger than an overall length of a conventional two cell masonry block. 
     
     
         8 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein an overall length of the masonry block is 1.5 times (1.5×) larger than an overall length, 1×, of a conventional two cell masonry block. 
     
     
         9 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is configured such that an overall length of the masonry block is greater than a width of the masonry block and is greater than a height of the masonry block. 
     
     
         10 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is configured such that an overall length of the masonry block is three times greater than a height of the masonry block. 
     
     
         11 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is configured such that an overall length of the masonry block is at least two times greater than a width of the masonry block. 
     
     
         12 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is configured such that an overall length of the masonry block is at least three times greater than a width of the masonry block. 
     
     
         13 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is formed from materials that are lighter per volume than materials used to form conventional masonry blocks. 
     
     
         14 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is formed from materials including aggregate that are lighter per volume than materials used to form conventional masonry blocks. 
     
     
         15 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the masonry block is formed from materials including aggregate that are lighter per volume than materials used to form conventional masonry blocks yet retain the same compression strength characteristics. 
     
     
         16 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , further comprising a handhold formed in the third support web and accessible from above the masonry block. 
     
     
         17 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the third support web is centered longitudinally within the masonry block. 
     
     
         18 . The masonry block of  claim 2 , wherein the third support web is formed from a first subthird support web and a second subthird support web, wherein the first and second subthird support webs are separated by a gap thereby forming a splitable masonry block whereby a first section of the masonry block can be split from the second section of the masonry block. 
     
     
         19 . A masonry block, comprising:
 a first side wall;   a second side wall spaced laterally from the first side wall;   a first support web extending from the first side wall to the second side wall;   a second support web extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and spaced apart from the first support web;   a third support web extending from the first side wall to the second side wall and positioned between the first and second support webs;   wherein the third support web forms a first cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the first and third support webs, whereby the first cell includes at least one top opening and at least one bottom opening;   wherein the third support web forms a second cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the second and third support webs, whereby the second cell includes at least one top opening and at least one bottom opening;   wherein the first and second side walls extend longitudinally beyond the first support web to form a first half cell, whereby the first half cell is formed from portions of the first and second side walls and the first support web;   wherein the first and second side walls extend longitudinally beyond the second support web to form a second half cell, whereby the second half cell is formed from portions of the first and second side walls and the second support web;   wherein the first half cell is formed from least one top opening, at least one bottom opening and a side opening;   wherein a length of the first half cell in a longitudinal direction of the masonry block is about one half a length of the first cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the first and third support webs;   wherein the second half cell is formed from least one top opening, at least one bottom opening and a side opening; and   wherein a length of the second half cell in a longitudinal direction of the masonry block is about one half a length of the second cell defined at least in part by portions of the first and second side walls and the second and third support webs.   
     
     
         20 . The masonry block of  claim 19 , wherein an overall length of the masonry block is larger than an overall length of a conventional two cell masonry block and wherein the masonry block is configured such that an overall length of the masonry block is greater than a width of the masonry block and is greater than a height of the masonry block.