Patent ID: 9145676
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: E02D,E04B,E04C

Abstract:
1. A cast block for use in a wall that is configured to be built on a surface, the block comprising: a body including a top surface, an opposed bottom surface spaced from the top surface by a height of between about 1 inch and about 12 inches, the top surface being substantially planar and defining a top surface plane, the bottom surface being substantially planar and defining a bottom surface plane, and the bottom surface configured to face the surface when used in the wall, the body further including opposed first and second side surfaces, each of the first and second side surfaces extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and a rear surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces in a first direction and also between the first and second side surfaces in a second direction; and a face portion extending frontwardly from the body, the face portion including a front surface, an upper tapered surface, and a lower tapered surface, the upper tapered surface extending between the top surface and the front surface such that a top taper angle is defined between the upper tapered surface and the top surface plane, the lower tapered surface extending between the bottom surface and the front surface such that a bottom taper angle is defined between the bottom tapered surface and the bottom surface plane, the top taper angle being selected from a range of angles between about 5 degrees and about 45 degrees, the face portion further including a top taper depth and a bottom taper depth, the top taper depth measured frontwardly from an intersection of the top surface and the upper tapered surface to the front surface, such that the top taper depth is between about ¼ inch and about 4 inches, the bottom taper depth measured frontwardly from an intersection of the lower tapered surface and the bottom surface to the front surface, such that the top taper depth is shorter than the bottom taper depth, the face portion configured to cast a shadow line that at least partially covers a cast block positioned below the cast block in the wall; wherein the body defines a length measured from the rear surface to the face portion, the height of each of the first and second side surfaces is substantially constant along the length of the respective first and second side surface; and the front surface, the upper tapered surface, and the lower tapered surface are each patterned.