# US 2014/0150368 A1 · Wall blocks, veneer panels for wall blocks and method of constructing walls > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150368 A1 - Document ID: US20140150368A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/172,157 - Filed: 2014-02-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-29 - Assignees: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150368A1 ## CPC - E04C 1/39: characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra - E02D 29/025: {made up of similar modular elements stacked without mortar} - E04B 1/04: the elements consisting of concrete, e.g. reinforced concrete, or other stone-like material - E04B 2/14: Walls having cavities in, but not between, the elements, i.e. each cavity being enclosed by at least four sides forming part of one single element - E04C 1/00: Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings (of relatively thin form E04C2/00; structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting E04C3/00, e.g. columns or pillars E04C3/30; manufacture or material of building bricks, stones, or the like B28, C03, C04; paving elements E01C; general building constructions E04B, e.g. walls E04B2/00, floors E04B5/00, roofs E04B7/00, ceilings E04B9/00; {roof coverings E04D; coverings for walls or ceilings E04F13/00; floorings E04F15/00;} structural elements specially designed for built-in conduit shafts E04F17/00; {elements for buildings for particular purposes E04H7/00}; special elements for building ovens or furnaces F24B, F27D) - E04C 1/395: {for claustra, fences, planting walls, e.g. sound-absorbing (pots for vertical horticulture A01G9/022)} - E04C 2/38: with attached ribs, flanges, or the like, e.g. framed panels (concerned with attaching to other panels or elements to form a structure, see the places for the relevant structure, e.g. E04B2/00) - E04C 2/46: {specially adapted for making walls (E04C2/52, E04C2/54 take precedence; structure of slab-shaped elements E04B1/02; walls of elements of relatively thin form E04B2/72)} - E04F 13/0801: {Separate fastening elements (E04F13/088, E04F13/0885 take precedence)} - E04B 2/18: by interlocking of projections or inserts with indentations, e.g. of tongues, grooves, dovetails - E04B 2/20: by filling material with or without reinforcements in small channels in, or in grooves between, the elements - E04B 2002/0245: {Pegs or pins} - E04B 2002/0256: {Special features of building elements} - E04B 2002/0269: {Building elements with a natural stone facing} - Y10T 403/75: having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in plural members - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block having a front face, the front face of the wall block having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, and a veneer connector disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel, wherein the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the first side surface having a first surface portion which angles outward from the front face and a second surface portion which angles inward from the first surface portion towards the rear face. ### Claim 3 A combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block having a front face, the front face of the wall block having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, and a veneer connector disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel, wherein the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the rear face of the veneer having projections and valleys, the valleys extending from the top to the bottom faces. ### Claim 4 A veneer connector comprising: a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; and the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs and horizontal friction ribs located at different portions of each shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The veneer connector of claim 4, wherein the first and second shafts are offset from each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The veneer connector of claim 5, wherein the first and second shafts are the same length. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The veneer connector of claim 6, wherein the bridge portion is substantially planar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The veneer connector of claim 7, wherein the vertical friction ribs of the first shaft point in the opposite direction as the vertical friction ribs of the second shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The veneer connector of claim 5, wherein the first shaft is longer than the second shaft and includes a projection that can function as a pin. ### Claim 10 A veneer connector comprising: a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs, the first and second shafts not being offset from each other, the first and second shafts being the same length, and the bridge portion being substantially planar. ### Claim 11 A veneer connector comprising a shaft and bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The veneer connector of claim 11, wherein the shaft has upper, middle, and lower portions, the upper and lower portions having horizontal friction ribs, and the middle portion having bifurcated horizontal prongs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The veneer connector of claim 11, wherein the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at ends of the prongs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The veneer connector of claim 12, wherein the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at ends of the prongs.