Patent ID: 9068342
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: E04B

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling moisture penetration through a masonry wall, comprising: receiving moisture along a top surface of a masonry block in a masonry wall, the moisture advancing along the top surface from an exterior face of the masonry wall in a direction toward an interior face of the masonry wall; diverting the moisture to drain generally vertically down one or more interior hollow cores of the masonry block, the masonry block comprising one or more moisture drainage elements positioned in the top surface of the masonry block, each of the moisture drainage elements comprising at least one downwardly slanted surface extending toward an adjacent one of the interior hollow cores of the masonry block when the blocks are assembled into a wall structure, wherein the masonry block includes an upper rim perimeter defined by uppermost exterior edges of four exterior sides of the masonry block, and wherein the one or more moisture drainage elements are spaced inwardly from the upper rim perimeter such that the upper rim perimeter has a generally continuous elevation; and directing the moisture that drained down the hollow core of the masonry block to exit at a location that is exterior to the exterior face of the masonry wall.