Block splitter assembly and method of producing wall blocks
AssigneeKeystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
InventorsDavid M. LaCroix, Robert John Lundell, Robert A. MacDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides a block splitter device comprising first lower and second upper opposed block splitter assemblies. The block splitter assemblies have a centrally located depression extending the length of the assembly and two or more first forming blades. One forming blade is disposed to the right of and one forming blade is disposed to the left of the center depression. The forming blades have forming surfaces with first and second forming edges. The forming surface of the first block splitter assembly is opposed to the forming surface of the second block splitter assembly.
Claims20
A block splitter device comprising first lower and second upper opposed block splitter assemblies,
- the first block splitter assembly having a first end opposed from a second end, a first side surface opposed from a second side surface, a bottom surface, a central depression and exactly two first forming blades, the central depression extending the length of the first block splitter assembly as measured from the first end to the second end, one of the first forming blades being disposed to the right of and one of the first forming blades being disposed to the left of the central depression, the two first forming blades each having a single forming surface, each forming surface being horizontally planar and having first and second forming edges, each forming surface having a lateral width as measured from the first forming edge to the second forming edge, the lateral width of each forming surface having a larger dimension at the ends of the first block splitter assembly than towards the center of the first block splitter assembly,
- the second block splitter assembly having a first end opposed from a second end, a first side surface opposed from a second side surface, an upper surface, a central depression and exactly two second forming blades, the central depression extending the length of the second block splitter assembly as measured from the first end to the second end, one of the second forming blades being disposed to the right of and one of the second forming blades being disposed to the left of the central depression, the two second forming blades each having a single forming surface, each forming surface being horizontally planar and having first and second forming edges, each forming surface having a lateral width as measured from the first forming edge to the second forming edge, the lateral width of each forming surface having a larger dimension at the ends of the first block splitter assembly than towards the center of the first block splitter assembly, and
- the forming surfaces of the forming blades of the first block splitter assembly being opposed to the forming surfaces of the forming blades of the second block splitter assembly.
A block splitter device comprising a block splitter assembly having a first end opposed from a second end, a first side surface opposed from a second side surface, a planar surface, a central depression and exactly two forming blades, the central depression extending a length of the block splitter assembly as measured from the first end to the second end, one of the forming blades being disposed to the right of and one of the forming blades being disposed to the left of the central depression, the two forming blades each having a single forming surface, each forming surface being horizontally planar and opposed to the planar surface, each forming surface having first and second forming edges and a lateral width as measured from the first forming edge to the second forming edge, the lateral width of each forming surface having a larger dimension at the ends of the block splitter assembly than towards the center of the block splitter assembly.
A method of producing a concrete block comprising:
- (i) providing a block splitter device comprising first lower and second upper opposed splitter blade assemblies,
- the first block splitter assembly having a first end opposed from a second end, a first side surface opposed from a second side surface, a bottom surface, a central depression and exactly two first forming blades, the central depression extending the length of the first block splitter assembly as measured from the first end to the second end, one of the first forming blades being disposed to the right of and one of the first forming blades being disposed to the left of the central depression, the two first forming blades each having a single forming surface, each forming surface being horizontally planar and having first and second forming edges, each forming surface having a lateral width as measured from the first forming edge to the second forming edge, the lateral width of each forming surface having a larger dimension at the ends of the first block splitter assembly than towards the center of the first block splitter assembly,
- the second block splitter assembly having a first end opposed from a second end, a first side surface opposed from a second side surface, an upper surface, a central depression and exactly two second forming blades, the central depression extending the length of the second block splitter assembly as measured from the first end to the second end, one of the second forming blades being disposed to the right of and one of the second forming blades being disposed to the left of the central depression, the two second forming blades each having a single forming surface, each forming surface being horizontally planar and having first and second forming edges, each forming surface having a lateral width as measured from the first forming edge to the second forming edge, the lateral width of each forming surface having a larger dimension at the ends of the second block splitter assembly than towards the center of the second block splitter assembly, and
- the forming surface of the first block splitter assembly being opposed to the forming surface of the second block splitter assembly;
- (ii) placing a concrete workpiece in the block splitter device at a splitting position to be engaged by the first and second block splitter assemblies;
- and
- (iii) with the workpiece at the splitting position, activating the first and second block splitter assemblies to engage the workpiece and thereby split and form the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.