Wall block system

Abstract

A wall block includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the interconnecting the first and second end portions. The first end portion includes a first face and first and second opposing side surfaces. The second end portion includes a second face and third and fourth opposing side surfaces. The first and second side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the first face toward the second face. The third and fourth side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the second face toward the first face.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wall block comprising:
 a first end portion comprising a first face and first and second opposing side surfaces;   a second end portion comprising a second face and third and fourth opposing side surfaces; and   an intermediate portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second end portions;   wherein the first and second side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the first face toward the second face;   wherein the third and fourth side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the second face toward the first face.   
     
     
         2 . The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises two parallel legs separated by a core extending the height of the block. 
     
     
         3 . The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion has a first depth and the second end portion has a second depth, wherein the first depth equals the second depth. 
     
     
         4 . The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion comprises at least one first core configured to receive a block-connecting element and the second end portion comprises at least one second core configured to receive a block-connecting element. 
     
     
         5 . The wall block of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second cores are spaced equidistant from a line parallel to the first and second faces and bisecting the block. 
     
     
         6 . The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the first face has a first length extending from the first side surface to the second side surface, and the second face has a second length extending from the third side surface to the fourth side surface, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     
     
         7 . The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises opposing and parallel fifth and sixth outer side surfaces, wherein the fifth and sixth side surfaces are perpendicular to the first and second faces. 
     
     
         8 . The wall block of  claim 1 , wherein a first imaginary line coincident with the first side surface intersects a first end of the second face and a second imaginary line coincident with the second side surface intersects a second end of the second face. 
     
     
         9 . The wall block of  claim 8 , wherein the block has a first void bounded by the first imaginary line, the third side surface, and the intermediate portion and a second void bounded by the second imaginary line, the fourth side surface, and the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         10 . The wall block of  claim 8 , wherein the first face, the second face, the first side surface, the second side surface, the first imaginary line, and the second imaginary line define an isosceles trapezoid. 
     
     
         11 . A wall having a front surface and a rear surface, the wall comprising:
 at least a first lower course and a second upper course overlying the first course, wherein each course comprises a plurality of blocks, including at least a first subset of first blocks;   wherein each first block comprises:
 a first end portion comprising a first face and first and second opposing side surfaces; 
 a second end portion comprising a second face and third and fourth opposing side surfaces; and 
 an intermediate portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second end portions; 
 wherein the first and second side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the first face toward the second face; 
 wherein the third and fourth side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the second face toward the first face. 
   
     
     
         12 . The wall of  claim 11 , wherein a first block of the first course is interconnected with a first block of the second course via a block-connecting element. 
     
     
         13 . The wall of  claim 12 , wherein the first block of the first course is set back relative to the first block of the second course to form a positive batter. 
     
     
         14 . The wall of  claim 12 , wherein the first block of the first course is set forward relative to the first block of the second course to form a negative batter. 
     
     
         15 . The wall of  claim 11 , wherein the first faces of one or more first blocks are exposed in the front surface of the wall and the second faces of one or more first blocks are exposed in the front surface of the wall. 
     
     
         16 . The wall of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of blocks of each course includes a second subset of second blocks, wherein the second blocks have first and second faces, wherein the first faces of the second blocks are longer than the first faces of the first blocks. 
     
     
         17 . The wall of  claim 16 , wherein the first blocks and the second blocks have the same shape. 
     
     
         18 . A method of constructing a wall from blocks, the method comprising:
 forming a first course of blocks arranged side-by-side along the first course; and   forming a second course of blocks on top of the first course, the second course comprising blocks arranged side-by-side along the second course;   wherein the blocks of the first and second courses include at least a first subset of first blocks, wherein each first block comprises:
 a first end portion comprising a first face and first and second opposing side surfaces; 
 a second end portion comprising a second face and third and fourth opposing side surfaces; and 
 an intermediate portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second end portions; 
 wherein the first and second side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the first face toward the second face; 
 wherein the third and fourth side surfaces taper toward each other extending in a direction from the second face toward the first face. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising interconnecting a first block of the first course and a first block of the second course with a separate block-connecting element. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first faces of one or more first blocks are exposed in a front surface of the wall and the second faces of one or more first blocks are exposed in the front surface of the wall.