# US 9,752,321 B2 · Multi-use building block and methods

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- Number: US 9,752,321 B2
- Document ID: US9752321B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/266,256
- Filed: 2016-09-15
- Published: 2017-01-05
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-05-15
- Assignees: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Jay J. Johnson; Robert B. Burnquist; Steven Paul Bennett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752321B2

## CPC

- E04B 2/12: using elements having a general shape differing from that of a parallelepiped
- E02D 17/205: {with modular blocks, e.g. pre-fabricated}
- E04B 1/04: the elements consisting of concrete, e.g. reinforced concrete, or other stone-like material
- E04B 2/04: Walls having neither cavities between, nor in, the solid elements
- 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 3/34: of concrete other stone-like material, with or without permanent form elements, with or without internal or external reinforcement, e.g. metal coverings (E04C3/36 takes precedence)
- E04B 2002/0202: {Details of connections}
- E04B 2002/0228: {with tongues next to each other on one end surface and grooves next to each other on opposite end surface}
- E04B 2002/026: {Splittable building elements}
- E04B 2002/0265: {Building elements for making arcuate walls}
- E04B 2103/02: of ceramics, concrete or other stone-like material
- 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})
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}
- 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)

## Abstract

A multi-use block including a block body having at least a first leg. The blocks can be placed in different orientations with respect to each other to form multiple interlocking structures. The block can be a variety of materials, including concrete, and when concrete, used for making walls and columns. Methods of making and methods of use are provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A building block comprising:
(a) a body having opposite first and second sides, opposite first and second end faces extending between the first and second sides, and opposite upper and lower faces extending between the first and second sides and the first and second end faces;
(i) the upper and lower faces being planar and parallel to each other;
(b) a leg extending from the first side of the body;
(i) the leg having opposite leg sides and a leg end face;
(ii) the leg sides extending between the first side of the body and the leg end face;
(iii) the first side of the body having a first portion extending between the first end face and one of the leg sides;
(iv) the first side of the body having a second portion extending between the second end face and the other of the leg sides;
(v) a widest portion of the leg being at the leg end face; and
(vi) the leg end face having a first section recessed inwardly from one of the leg sides at an angle and a second section recessed inwardly from the other of the leg sides at an angle which is the same as the angle of the first section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The block of claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first portion of the first side angles inwardly as it extends from the first end face to one of the leg sides; and
(b) the second portion of the first side angles inwardly as it extends from the second end face to the other of the leg sides.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The block of claim 2 wherein:
(a) the angle of the first portion to the one of the leg sides, and the angle of the second portion to the other of the leg sides is the same angle as the angle of the first section leg end face and second section leg end face.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The block of claims 1 wherein:
(a) the block is made of dry cast concrete and the second side of the body is a split face.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The block of claim 4 wherein:
(a) the first end face is a split face.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The block of claim 1 wherein:
(a) the body is longer at the second side than the first side.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The block of claim 1 wherein:
(a) the second end face extends inwardly as it extends from the second side of the body to the first side of the body.