Patio blocks and block systems with side surface positioning and retaining structures

A patio system comprising:

• a plurality of patio blocks, the patio blocks having a block body with opposed top and bottom surfaces, and at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface each extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces having an irregular contour such that top and bottom edges along the top and bottom surfaces where the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces extend also have an irregular contour, at least first and second spacer projections positioned along each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces, the at least first and second spacer projections extending outwardly from each side surface, the first spacer projection being larger in size than the second spacer projection, and at least one spacer locator positioned along the first spacer projection of each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces, the at least one spacer locator having a retaining surface shaped to receive the second spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface;
• and
• wherein when a patio is made with the plurality of patio blocks, the at least one spacer locator receives the second spacer projection such that when a side surface of a first patio block is laid adjacent to a side surface of a second patio block the second spacer projection of the side surface of the first patio block is accepted and retained into the spacer locator of the second patio block preventing displacement of the first patio block relative to the adjacent second patio block and creating a joint between the first patio block and the second patio block, the joint having variable widths along the length of the adjacent portions of the irregularly contoured top edges of the first and second patio block.

A method of making a patio comprising:

• providing a plurality of patio blocks, the patio blocks having a block body with opposed top and bottom surfaces, and at least a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface each extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces having an irregular contour such that top and bottom edges along the top and bottom surfaces where the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces extend also have an irregular contour, at least first and second spacer projections positioned along each of the at least first, second, third and fourth side surfaces, the at least first and second spacer projections extending outwardly from each side surface, the first spacer projection being larger in size than the second spacer projection, and at least one spacer locator positioned along the first spacer projection of each one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces, the at least one spacer locator having a retaining surface shaped to receive the second spacer projection, at least a portion of the retaining surface extending outwardly from the side surface;
• and
• forming a patio by positioning the patio blocks with a side surface of a first patio block laid adjacent to a side surface of a second patio block such that the second spacer projection of the side surface of the first patio block is accepted and retained into the at least one spacer locator of the second adjacent patio block preventing displacement of the first patio block relative to the adjacent second patio block and creating a joint between the first patio block and the second patio block, the width of the joint having variable dimensions along the length of the adjacent portions of the irregularly contoured top edges of the first and second patio block.