# US 8,464,491 B2 · Column block system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,491 B2 - Document ID: US8464491B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/623,907 - Filed: 2009-11-23 - Published: 2010-03-18 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2004-04-29 - Assignees: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Robert A. MacDonald; William B. Dawson - Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald; William B. Dawson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464491B2 ## CPC - E04C 1/395: {for claustra, fences, planting walls, e.g. sound-absorbing (pots for vertical horticulture A01G9/022)} - E04B 2002/0217: {of prismatic shape} - E04B 2002/0267: {Building elements with the appearance of several bricks} - 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) - 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}) ## Abstract A system of blocks is configured to be compatible with each other in the construction of a columnar structure. Each block has four faces and all four faces may generally have the same dimensions. The width of the blocks may generally be about twice their height. The faces of the block also may contain a slot to add an aesthetic appearance to the column. The blocks have certain constructions features that mate with specially constructed brackets in attaching a fence panel to the completed column. The blocks have interlocking elements or projections that permit positive connection between courses of blocks. Projections of one block extend into the core another block. Adjacent blocks can be rotated 90 degrees relative to each other about a vertical axis of each block with each course. The blocks can be used to construct a column that is easy to install and structurally sound. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A block system for constructing a column having a vertical axis comprising: a plurality of blocks configured to be stacked vertically to form a column, each block having an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a block thickness; opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces; opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, the opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the third and fourth side surfaces and the opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the first and second side surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces together with the side surfaces defining a block body; each block further having an interlocking member including at least one projection extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces and at least one indentation extending into the other of the upper and lower surfaces, the interlocking member being configured such that when a first block is stacked vertically adjacent to a second block to form a column the at least one projection of the first block is received in the at least one indentation of the second block to interlock the first block with the second block, the at least one projection and the at least one indentation being positioned to prevent the first and second blocks from interlocking when forming the column unless the first side surface of the first block is in the same plane as one of the third and fourth side surfaces of the second block; wherein each block further has at least one recessed area in the upper or lower surface of the block having the projection, the recessed area extending from the indentation towards one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces and ending a distance from the one of the first, second, third and fourth side surface surfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The block system according to claim 1, wherein the indentation comprises a core. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The block system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one recessed area is four recessed areas, each recessed area extending from the core towards one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces and ending a distance from the one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The block system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one projection extends from the upper surface of each of the plurality of blocks. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The block system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one projection is two projections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The block system according to claim 5, wherein the two projections are located diagonally opposite each other in a core of each of the plurality of blocks. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The block system according to claim 1, wherein a slot extends the thickness of each of the plurality of blocks on two side surfaces selected from the first and second side surfaces and the third and fourth side surfaces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The block system according to claim 7, wherein the slot extends on each of the side surfaces. ### Claim 9 A method of constructing a column of blocks having a vertical axis comprising: providing a plurality of blocks, wherein each block has an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a block thickness, opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, the opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the third and fourth side surfaces and the opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the first and second side surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces together with the side surfaces defining a block body, a core extending the thickness of the block, and each block further including at least one projection extending from one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the block; and stacking first and second blocks vertically such that the at least one projection on the first block is received within the core of the second block to thereby interlock the first and second blocks, the at least one projection on the first block and the core of the second block being sized and positioned such that the first and second blocks are prevented from interlocking unless the first side surface of the first block is in the same plane as one of the third and fourth side surfaces of the second block; wherein each block further has at least one recessed area in the upper or lower surface of the block having the projection, the recessed area extending from the core towards one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces and ending a distance from the one of the first, second, third and fourth side surface surfaces. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the first and second blocks are placed such that the cores of the first and second blocks align vertically, the method further comprising filling the cores with reinforcement. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcement is selected from steel pipe and post-tension rods. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the core has first and second opposing walls generally parallel to the first and second side surfaces and third and fourth opposing walls generally parallel to the third and fourth side surfaces. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein the at least one projection is two projections located diagonally opposite each other on the block body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein a slot extends the thickness of each block on two side surfaces selected from the first and second side surfaces and the third and fourth side surfaces. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein the at least one recessed area is four recessed areas, each recessed area extending from the core towards one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces and ending a distance from the one of the first, second, third and fourth side surfaces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 further comprising forming a base on which one of the first and second blocks is placed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16 further comprising placing the first and second blocks such that the cores of the first and second blocks align vertically, the method further comprising placing a pipe vertically within the cores of the first and second blocks and forming the base about the pipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein a slot extends the thickness of each block on each of the four side surfaces. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The column constructed by the method of claim 9. ### Claim 20 A method of constructing a column of blocks having a vertical axis comprising: providing a plurality of blocks, wherein each block has an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a block thickness, opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, the opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the third and fourth side surfaces and the opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the first and second side surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces together with the side surfaces defining a block body, a core extending the thickness of the block, and each block further including at least one projection extending from one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the block; forming a base on which one of the blocks is placed; stacking first and second blocks vertically such that the at least one projection on the first block is received within the core of the second block to thereby interlock the first and second blocks, the at least one projection on the first block and the core of the second block being sized and positioned such that the first and second blocks are prevented from interlocking unless the first side surface of the first block is in the same plane as one of the third and fourth side surfaces of the second block; and forming a first of a mating pair of connectors into the base, placing the column of blocks, connecting a second of a mating pair of connectors to the first connector, the second mating pair of connectors having fixed thereto a tension rod, the tension rod dimensioned to extend through vertically aligned cores of the block column, and applying tension to the tension rod.