초록 ▼

A first concrete block has an exposure face with a non-planar first topographical definition and a first edge along the side face and a second edge along the second side face. The first edge has a first irregular profile. A second concrete block has an exposure face with a non-planar second topograp

A first concrete block has an exposure face with a non-planar first topographical definition and a first edge along the side face and a second edge along the second side face. The first edge has a first irregular profile. A second concrete block has an exposure face with a non-planar second topographical definition and a first edge and a second edge. The second topographical definition is different from the first topographical definition. The second edge of the second block has an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile. The blocks can be oriented adjacent and against each other for a seamless appearance. Assembling methods include orienting the first side of the first block against the second side of the second block and aligning the first irregular profile of the first block with the first irregular profile of the second block for a seamless appearance.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A set of concrete blocks comprising: (a) a first concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first

We claim: 1. A set of concrete blocks comprising: (a) a first concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face having a non-planar first topographical definition that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first edge along the first side face and a second edge along the second side face; (A) the first edge having a first irregular profile; and (b) a second concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of the second concrete block having a non-planar second topographical definition that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first edge along the first side face and a second edge along the second side face; (A) the second topographical definition being different from the first topographical definition; (B) the second edge of the second concrete block having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of said first irregular profile so that when the second edge of the second concrete block is placed adjacent the first edge of the first concrete block and the edge profiles are aligned, there is a seamless appearance along the respective first exposure faces. 2. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein: (a) the second edge of the first concrete block has a profile that is the mirror image of said first irregular profile; and (b) the first edge of the second concrete block has said first irregular profile. 3. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein the first concrete block top and bottom faces are flat; and the second concrete block top and bottom faces are flat. 4. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein the first concrete block first exposure face is wider than the first concrete block second face; and the second concrete block first exposure face is wider than the second concrete block second face. 5. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein the first concrete block and the second concrete block are substantially identical to each other in dimensional size and weight. 6. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein: (a) the second face of the first concrete block is a second exposure face and has a second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition and a third edge along the first side face and a fourth edge along the second side face; the second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition is irregular both along the length and across the height of the second exposure face; (i) the third edge having a second irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile; (ii) the fourth edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of said second irregular profile; (b) the second face of the second concrete block is a second exposure face and has a second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition and a third edge along the first side face and a fourth edge along the second side face; the second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition is irregular both along the length and across the height of the second exposure face; (i) the second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition being different from the second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition; (ii) the third edge of the second concrete block having said second irregular profile; and (iii) the fourth edge of the second concrete block having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of said second irregular profile so that when the fourth edge of the second concrete block is placed adjacent the third edge of the first concrete block and the edge profiles are aligned, there is a seamless appearance along the respective second exposure faces. 7. The set of concrete blocks of claim 6 further comprising: (a) a plurality of concrete blocks in addition to the first and second concrete blocks; each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having (i) at least 6 sides including opposite first and second exposure faces, opposite top and bottom faces extending between the first and second exposure faces, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first and second exposure faces and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having a unique non-planar topographical definition, a first edge along the first side face, and a second edge along the second side face; (A) each unique non-planar topographical definition being different from the non-planar first topographical definition and non-planar second topographical definition and other blocks in the plurality; and (B) each first edge having said first irregular profile and each second edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile. 8. The set of concrete blocks of claim 7 wherein: (a) the second exposure face of each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having a unique non-planar topographical definition, a third edge along the first side face and a fourth edge along the second side face; (i) each unique non-planar topographical definition of the second exposure face of the concrete blocks in the plurality being different from the second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition and the second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition and other blocks in the plurality; and (ii) each third edge of the concrete blocks in the plurality having said second irregular profile and each fourth edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the second irregular profile. 9. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a plurality of concrete blocks in addition to the first and second concrete blocks; each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having (i) at least 6 sides including a first exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and the second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having a unique non-planar topographical definition, a first edge along the first side face, and a second edge along the second side face; (A) each unique non-planar topographical definition being different from the non-planar first topographical definition and non-planar second topographical definition and other blocks in the plurality; and (B) each first edge having said first irregular profile and each second edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile. 10. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first concrete block is a cap block; and (b) the second concrete block is a cap block. 11. The set of concrete blocks of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first concrete block is a retaining wall block; (b) the second concrete block is a retaining wall block; and (c) the first and second concrete blocks are dry cast concrete blocks. 12. A set of concrete blocks according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the first concrete block non-planar first topographical definition includes: (i) a plurality of projections projecting from the first generally vertical exposure face; and (ii) a plurality of reliefs recessed from the projections; and (b) the second concrete block non-planar second topographical definition includes: (i) a plurality of projections projecting from the first generally vertical exposure face; and (ii) a plurality of reliefs recessed from the projections. 13. A concrete block arrangement comprising: (a) a first concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face having a non-planar first topographical definition that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first edge along the first side face and a second edge along the second side face; (A) the first edge having a first irregular profile; and (b) a second concrete block adjacent to and against the first concrete block, the second concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of the second concrete block having a non-planar second topographical definition that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first edge along the first side face and a second edge along the second side face; (A) the second edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of said first irregular profile and being adjacent to the first edge of the first exposure face of the first concrete block; (iii) wherein the first concrete block first side face is against the second concrete block second side face; the first concrete block first exposure face and the second concrete block first exposure face are adjacent to each other; and the first edge of the first exposure face of the first concrete block is aligned with the second edge of the first exposure face of the second concrete block to create a seamless appearance along the respective first exposure faces. 14. The concrete block arrangement of claim 13 wherein: (a) the second face of the first concrete block is a second exposure face and has a second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition and a third edge along the first side face and a fourth edge along the second side face; the second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition is irregular both along the length and across the height of the second exposure face; (i) the third edge having a second irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile; (b) the second face of the second concrete block is a second exposure face and has a second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition and a third edge along the first side face and a fourth edge along the second side face; the second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition is irregular both along the length and across the height of the second exposure face; (i) the second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition being different from the second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition; (ii) the fourth edge of the second concrete block having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of said second irregular profile; (c) wherein the first concrete block second exposure face and the second concrete block second exposure face are adjacent to each other; and the third edge of the second exposure face of the first concrete block is aligned with the fourth edge of the second exposure face of the second concrete block to create a seamless appearance along the respective second exposure faces. 15. The concrete block arrangement of claim 14 further including: (a) a plurality of concrete blocks in addition to the first and second concrete blocks; each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having (i) at least 6 sides including opposite first and second exposure faces, opposite top and bottom faces extending between the first and second exposure faces, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first and second exposure faces and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having a unique non-planar topographical definition, a first edge along the first side face, and a second edge along the second side face; (A) each unique non-planar topographical definition being different from the non-planar first topographical definition and non-planar second topographical definition and other blocks in the plurality; and (B) each first edge having said first irregular profile and each second edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile; (b) wherein each block of the plurality of concrete blocks is adjacent to and against another of the concrete blocks so that respective first exposure faces are adjacent and first edges are aligned with second edges to create a seamless appearance. 16. The concrete block arrangement of claim 15 wherein: (a) the second exposure face of each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having a unique non-planar topographical definition, a third edge along the first side face and a fourth edge along the second side face; (i) each unique non-planar topographical definition of the second exposure face of the concrete blocks in the plurality being different from the second exposure face non-planar first topographical definition and the second exposure face non-planar second topographical definition and other blocks in the plurality; and (ii) each third edge of the concrete blocks in the plurality having said second irregular profile and each fourth edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the second irregular profile; and (b) wherein each concrete block of the plurality of blocks is adjacent to and against another of the blocks so that respective second exposure faces are adjacent and third edges are aligned with fourth edges to create a seamless appearance. 17. The concrete block arrangement of claim 13 wherein the first concrete block and the second concrete block are dry cast concrete blocks. 18. A set of concrete blocks comprising: (a) a first concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face having a first 3-dimensional pattern that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first generally vertical edge along the first side face and a second generally vertical edge along the second side face; (A) the first side face at first edge having a first irregular profile; (B) the second side face at the second edge having a profile that is the mirror image of the first side face at the first edge; and (b) a second concrete block including (i) at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of the second concrete block having a second 3-dimensional pattern that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first generally vertical edge along the first side face and a second generally vertical edge along the second side face; (A) the second 3-dimensional pattern being different from the first 3-dimensional pattern; (B) the first side face at the first edge of the second concrete block having the same profile as that of the first side face at the first edge of the first concrete block; and (C) the second side face at the second edge of the second concrete block having the same profile as that of the side face at the second edge of the first concrete block; whereby when the second edge of the second concrete block is placed adjacent the first edge of the first concrete block and the edge profiles are aligned, there is a seamless appearance along the respective first exposure faces. 19. The set of concrete blocks of claim 18 wherein: (a) the second face of the first concrete block is a second exposure face and has a second exposure face first 3-dimensional pattern and a third generally vertical edge along the first side face and a fourth generally vertical edge along the second side face; (i) the third edge having a second irregular profile; (ii) the fourth edge having a profile that is the mirror image of the second irregular profile; (b) the second face of the second concrete block is a second exposure face and has a second exposure face second 3-dimensional pattern and a third generally vertical edge along the first side face and a fourth generally vertical edge along the second side face; (i) the second exposure face second 3-dimensional pattern being different from the second exposure face first 3-dimensional pattern; (ii) the third edge of the second concrete block having the same irregular profile as the third edge of the first concrete block; and (iii) the fourth edge of the second concrete block having the same irregular profile as the fourth edge of the first concrete block; whereby when the fourth edge of the second concrete block is placed adjacent the third edge of the first concrete block and the edge profiles are aligned, there is a seamless appearance along the respective second exposure faces. 20. The set of concrete blocks of claim 19 wherein the second irregular profile is generally the same shape as the first irregular profile. 21. The set of concrete blocks of claim 18 wherein the first and second blocks are one of cap blocks and retaining wall blocks. 22. The set of concrete blocks of claim 18 wherein the first and second blocks are dry cast concrete blocks. 23. A method of assembling a concrete block arrangement comprising: (a) providing a first concrete block including at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite planar top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; the first exposure face having a non-planar first topographical definition that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first edge along the first side face and a second edge along the second side face; the first edge having a first irregular profile; (b) providing a second concrete block including at least 6 sides including a first generally vertical exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; the first exposure face of the second concrete block having a non-planar second topographical definition that is irregular both along the length and across the height of the first exposure face and a first edge along the first side face and a second edge along the second side face; the second topographical definition being different from the first topographical definition; the second edge of the second concrete block having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of said first irregular profile; and (c) orienting the first side face of the first concrete block against the second side face of the second concrete block; and (d) aligning the first irregular profile of the first concrete block with the first irregular profile of the second concrete block to create a seamless appearance. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein: (a) the step of providing a first concrete block includes providing the first concrete block to have the second edge to have a profile that is the mirror image of the first edge first irregular profile; and (b) the step of providing a second concrete block includes providing the second concrete block to have the first edge to have the same profile as the first edge first irregular profile. 25. The method of claim 23 further comprising: (a) providing a plurality of concrete blocks in addition to the first and second concrete blocks; each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having (i) at least 6 sides including a first exposure face, an opposite second face, opposite top and bottom faces extending between the first exposure face and the second face, and opposite first and second side faces extending between the first exposure face and second face and the top and bottom faces; (ii) the first exposure face of each of the concrete blocks in the plurality having a unique non-planar topographical definition, a first edge along the first side face, and a second edge along the second side face; (A) each unique non-planar topographical definition being different from the non-planar first topographical definition and non-planar second topographical definition and other blocks in the plurality; and (B) each first edge having said first irregular profile and each second edge having an irregular profile that is the mirror image of the first irregular profile. 26. The method of claim 25 further comprising: (a) orienting the first side face of one of the plurality of concrete blocks against the second side face of another of the plurality of concrete blocks; (b) aligning the first irregular profile of the one concrete block with the first irregular profile of the another concrete block to create a seamless appearance; and (c) repeating the steps of orienting and aligning with the plurality of concrete blocks and forming a wall with a seamless appearance. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein: (a) the first exposure face of each of the concrete blocks is wider than the second face of each of the concrete blocks; and (b) the step of forming a wall includes forming a curved wall with the plurality of concrete blocks.