John J Gran

Author:

John W. Gran

ISBN #:

8203220126

Author:

John W. Gran

ISBN #:

8203222420

Author:

John W. Gran

ISBN #:

8203260837

US Patent:

20050055944, Mar 17, 2005

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/948527

Inventors:

Robert Hampton - Lincoln NE, US
John Gran - Lincoln NE, US

International Classification:

E02D027/00

US Classification:

052596000

Abstract:

A block has a finished surface that provides an attractive appearance. The block is relatively large in size, allowing the quick construction of a wall, such as a retaining wall, using the block. The block includes one or more lift and alignment devices in the block that allow the block to be lifted using a suitable lifting apparatus, such as a crane, forklift, backhoe, etc. The block includes one or more recessed portions in the bottom surface of the block positioned to receive the protruding lift and alignment device of a previously-laid block underneath, thereby helping to align the block with the previously-laid block. The block includes one or more voids that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface of the block, and that align with each other when the blocks are stacked into a wall, thereby allowing fill material to be placed in the voids to strengthen the wall. The preferred embodiments also include a wall system with various different blocks that may be used to build a wall.

US Patent:

20120311943, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 11, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/158411

Inventors:

John J. Gran - Lincoln NE, US
Daniel Thiele - Omaha NE, US
Larry J. Ebert - Apple Valley MN, US
Michael Furlong - Cambridge MN, US

Assignee:

STONE STRONG LLC - Lincoln NE

International Classification:

E04B 2/18
B29C 39/10
E04G 21/14

US Classification:

521221, 525881, 264 401

Abstract:

A block system includes a main block that has the lift and alignment devices positioned to overlie a longitudinal axis that intersects a center of gravity of the main block, and has a defined distance from the lift and alignment devices to a front surface of the main block. The block system further includes extended blocks that each has the lift and alignment devices positioned not to overlie a longitudinal axis that intersects a center of gravity of the extended block, but has the same defined distance from the lift and alignment devices to a front face of the extended block that exists on the main block. The recessed portions of the block may be larger than the lift and alignment devices, thereby allowing the blocks to be stacked in either a vertical wall or in a setback wall.