Wall system
The present invention relates to decorative and structural blocks designed to be installed as skirting structures for buildings, elevated structures and structural elements such as posts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system that uses specifically designed and manufactured masonry blocks that are used in conjunction with specifically designed support beams and/or brackets to provide durable, attractive, easy to assemble surfaces or skirting structures. The blocks are shaped to be stacked in vertically independent, self-supporting columns, strengthened and linked together by specially shaped, lightweight, lateral support beams positioned between adjacent columns, and which may be attached directly or indirectly to a sub-structure.
1 . A block bracket configured for mounting a block to a structure, the block bracket comprising at least one block engaging portion that defines that has a predetermined thickness and an effective thickness that is greater than the predetermined thickness, and which is configured and arranged to be inserted into a recess in the side edge of a block.
2 . The block bracket of claim 1 , wherein the effective thickness defined by the block engaging portion includes a first V-shaped portion.
3 . The block bracket of claim 1 , wherein the effective thickness defined by the block engaging portion includes a second V-shaped portion.
4 . The block bracket of claim 3 , wherein the first and second V-shaped portions are angled with respect to each other.
5 . The block bracket of claim 4 , further comprising a third V-shaped portion, with the third V-shaped portion located between the first and second V-shaped portions.
6 . The block bracket of claim 5 , wherein the first and second V-shaped portions and the third V-shaped portions are configured and arranged to engage opposite sides of the recess of a block.
7 . The block bracket of claim 5 , wherein the third V-shaped portion further comprises a strengthening rib.
8 . The block bracket of claim 1 , wherein the effective thickness defined by the block engaging portion includes an arcuate-shaped portion having two generally parallel edges and curved surface.
9 . The block bracket of claim 8 , wherein generally parallel edges and the curved surface are configured and arranged to engage opposite sides of the recess of a block.
10 . A block bracket configured for mounting a block to a structure, the block bracket comprising at least two block engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other and which are configured and arranged to engage an inner surface of a recess located at the side of a block and an outer surface of the block, respectively.
11 . A bracket configured to mount a block to a structure, the bracket comprising:
a structure engaging portion defining a fastening element-aperture configured and arranged to receive a fastening element for coupling the bracket to the structure using the fastening element positioned through the anchor-aperture; and
a block engaging portion having a predetermined thickness and an effective thickness that is greater than the predetermined thickness, and which is configured and arranged to be inserted into a recess in the side edge of a block;
wherein the bracket when secured to the structure with a fastening element may engage the recess of the block.
12 . The bracket of claim 11 , wherein the effective thickness defined by the block engaging portion includes a first V-shaped portion.
13 . The bracket of claim 11 , wherein the effective thickness defined by the block engaging portion includes a second V-shaped portion.
14 . The bracket of claim 13 , wherein the first and second V-shaped portions are angled with respect to each other.
15 . The bracket of claim 14 , further comprising a third V-shaped portion, with the third V-shaped portion located between the first and second V-shaped portions.
16 . The bracket of claim 15 , wherein the first and second V-shaped portions and the third V-shaped portions are configured and arranged to engage opposite sides of the recess of a block.
17 . The bracket of claim 11 , wherein the effective thickness defined by the block engaging portion includes an arcuate-shaped portion having two generally parallel edges and curved surface.
18 . A bracket configured to mount a block to a structure,
the bracket being formed from a single member bent at three locations to form first, second, third and fourth member portions, adjacent member portions being substantially perpendicular to one another;
at least one of the first and second member portions defining a fastening element-aperture configured to receive a fastening element for coupling the bracket to the structure using a fastening element positioned through at least one of the at least one anchor-apertures;
third and fourth member portions defining a block engaging portion having a predetermined thickness and an effective thickness that is greater than the predetermined thickness, and which is configured and arranged to be inserted into a recess in the side edge of a block;
wherein the bracket when secured to the structure with a fastening element may engage the recess of the block.
19 . The bracket of claim 18 , wherein the third and fourth member portions engage opposite sides of the respective recesses of adjacent blocks.
20 . A bracket configured to mount a beam to a structure,
the bracket being formed from a single member bent at five locations to form first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth member portions, adjacent member portions being substantially perpendicular to one another;
at least one of the first and second member portions defining a fastening element-aperture configured to receive a fastening element for coupling the bracket to the structure using a fastening element positioned through at least one of the at least one anchor-apertures;
third and fourth member portions a first pair of block engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other and which are configured and arranged to engage an inner surface of a recess located at the side of a block and an outer surface of the block, respectively;
fifth and sixth member portions a second pair of block engaging portions that are spaced apart from each other and which are configured and arranged to engage an inner surface of a recess located at the side of a block and an outer surface of the block, respectively;
wherein the bracket when secured to the structure with a fastening element may engage the recesses and outer surfaces of adjacent blocks.