Block, block system and method of making a block
AssigneeKeystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
InventorsRobert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A block, block system and method of making a wall block. A block with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance. A mold box having a moveable liner and a stripper shoe that impart three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints onto an exposed surface of a block. The moveable liner and stripper shoe also impart a parting line onto the exposed surface of the block.
Claims10
A method to produce blocks, the method comprising:
- positioning a production pallet beneath a mold box to enclose a bottom of a mold cavity;
- wherein the mold box includes opposed side walls and opposed front and rear walls which together form a perimeter of the mold cavity shaped to form a block, the mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom;
- depositing block forming material into the mold cavity;
- and compressing the block forming material within the mold cavity to form a block by lowering a stripper shoe to enclose the open top of the mold cavity, wherein, in an installed orientation, the block includes an outward-facing front face that is adjacent to a top irregular surface and to first and second irregular side surfaces, the stripper shoe having an irregular molding surface shaped for forming the top irregular surface of the block and contoured molding surfaces shaped for forming a first portion of the outward-facing front face and a first portion of the first and second irregular side surfaces of the block, wherein a transition between the first portion of the outward-facing front face and the first portion of the first and second irregular side surfaces of the block formed by the stripper shoe and the remaining portions of the outward facing front face is irregular and nonlinear;
- and
- removing the block forming material from the at least one mold cavity after moving the front wall to the retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.