Abstract:
A wall block, system, and method for creating a straight and/or curved wall such that the front and back sides of the wall will have generally the same appearance. The block is asymmetrical and is designed to abut the ends of like blocks that are upright or inverted relative thereto.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to concurrently filed U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/176,232, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to blocks used in creating landscaping walls. More particularly, this invention relates to blocks which can be used to create a curved and/or a straight wall such that the wall has a substantially similar appearance on both the front and back sides thereof. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Historically, there have been two types of landscaping walls: retaining walls and edging walls, both of which could be straight and/or curved. Retaining walls, which typically are exposed on only one side thereof, are easily designed so that the visible side is visually appealing. By way of contrast, edging walls typically are exposed on both sides thereof and, therefore, the owner must be concerned with the visual appearance of both sides of the wall. 
   To create a curved edging wall, oftentimes, straight blocks (also referred to as “stones”) were angled with respect to each other. Unfortunately, as a result of this angling, one side of the wall would have grooves (often wedge or pie shaped) between the blocks whereas the other side of the wall would have no such grooves. As a result, the overall appearances of the front and back sides of the wall would be substantially different. 
   To solve this problem, curved blocks have been designed which create curved walls having front and back sides which appear substantially the same. However, when these blocks are arranged linearly (to create a straight wall), one side of the wall displays grooves between the blocks whereas the other side of the wall has no such grooves, i.e., these curved blocks have the same problem as the aforementioned straight blocks. As a result, these curved blocks can not be arranged to create a straight wall having front and back sides having substantially similar appearances. 
   To create a wall having curved and straight portions and having front and back sides which appear substantially similar, an owner had to purchase blocks having two different shapes, one for the straight portions and the other for the curved portions. Moreover, this required manufacturers to invest in costly molds to create both types of blocks. 
   Accordingly, what is needed is a block which: (a) can be used to create a curved and/or a straight wall; and (b) is designed so that a curved and/or straight wall incorporating a plurality of the blocks will have the same general appearance on the front and back sides thereof. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention herein encompasses multiple embodiments. A block according to the invention has a first side; a second side; a third side; a fourth side; a fifth side; a sixth side; a seventh side; and an eighth side. In this embodiment: (a) the first side joins the second side in an angle of α°, (b) the second side joins the third side in an angle of α°, (c) the third side joins the fourth side in an angle of δ°, (d) the fourth side joins the fifth side in an angle of λ°, (e) the fifth side joins the sixth side in an angle of α°, (f) the sixth side joins the seventh side in an angle α°, (g) the seventh side joins the eighth side in an angle of (270°−α°), and (h) the eighth side joins the first side in an angle (270°−α°). In addition, (λ°+δ°+2(α°))=540° and (270°−α°)≠δ°. 
   The second side may be substantially equal in length to the sixth side. Additionally, or alternatively, the fourth side may be substantially equal in length to the eighth side. 
   The eighth side may be substantially perpendicular to the second and sixth sides. 
   The block may be formed from a material selected from the group consisting of stone, brick, concrete, ceramic, and clay. 
   Another aspect of the invention pertains to the relationship between adjacent like blocks. Each block includes a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, a right end, and a left end. The right end includes first, second, and third parts, the first part being connected at an angle to the front face, the second part being connected at an angle to the rear face, and the third part connecting the first and second parts; the third part is oriented substantially perpendicular to the front and rear faces. The left end also includes first, second, and third parts, the first part being connected at an angle to the front face, the second part being connected at an angle to the rear face, and the third part connecting the first and second parts; the third part of the left end is oriented at an oblique angle to the front and rear faces. The third part of the right end of a first block is adapted to abut the third part of the left end of a like second block so that: (a) the front faces of the first and second blocks are angled, (b) the rear faces of the first and second blocks are angled, (c) a first groove is defined between first part of the right end of the first block and the first part of the left end of the second block, and (d) a second groove is defined between the second part of the right end of the first block and the second part of the left end of the second block. 
   The third part of the right end of the first block may be adapted to abut the third part of the right end of a like third block so that: (a) the front face of the first block is substantially aligned with the front face of the third block, (b) the rear side of the first block is substantially aligned with the rear face of the third block, (c) a third groove is defined between the first part of the right end of the first block and the first part of the right end of the third block, and (d) a fourth groove is defined between the second part of the right end of the first block and the second part of the right end of the third block. 
   The third part of the left end of the first block may be adapted to abut the third part of the left end of a like third block so that: (a) the front face of the first block is substantially aligned with the rear face of the third block, (b) the rear face of the first block is substantially aligned with the front face of the third block, (c) a third groove is defined between the front first part of the left end of the first block and the second part of the left end of the third block, and (d) a fourth groove is defined between the second part of the left end of the first block and the first part of the left end of the third block. 
   The first and second grooves may have appearances which are substantially similar. Alternatively, or additionally, the third and fourth grooves may have appearances which are substantially similar. 
   The blocks may be formed from a material selected from the group consisting of stone, brick, concrete, ceramic, and clay. 
   The front face of each block may be substantially parallel to the rear face. 
   Another aspect of the invention pertains to an asymmetrical landscaping block for abutting end-to-end placement with like blocks. This asymmetrical block includes a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a rear face, a left end, and a right end. The left end includes a first abutting face disposed at an angle ε with respect to a medial vertical plane through the left and right ends. The right end includes a second abutting face disposed at an angle η with respect to the medial vertical plane, wherein ε≠η. The first abutting face of the left end of a first block is adapted to abut the second abutting face of the right end of a like second block so that the front faces of the first and second blocks are angled, so that the rear faces of the first and second blocks are angled, so that a first groove is defined between front face of the first block and the front face of the second block, and so that a second groove is defined between the rear face of the first block and the rear face of the second block. 
   The first and second grooves may have appearances which are substantially similar. 
   The front face and the rear face may be substantially parallel. Additionally, or alternatively, the first abutting face may be substantially perpendicular to the front and rear faces. 
   The left end may further include a first part which connects the first abutting face to the front face and a second part which connects the first abutting face to the rear face. Moreover, the right end may further include a first part which connects the second abutting face to the front face and a second part which connects the second abutting face to the rear face. Additionally, or alternatively, the first groove may be defined between the first part of the left end of the first block and the first part of the right end of the second block. Similarly, the second groove may be defined between the second part of the left end of the first block and the second part of the right end of the second block. 
   The first abutting face may be substantially equal in length to the second abutting face. Additionally, or alternatively, the front face may be substantially equal in length to the rear face. 
   The block may be formed from a material selected from the group consisting of stone, brick, concrete, ceramic, and clay. 
   Another aspect of the invention involves a system for constructing a landscaping wall from a plurality of blocks. This system includes: a first block and a second block substantially similar in shape to said first block. The first block includes: a top face, a bottom face, a front face, a rear face, a left end, and a right end. The left end includes a first abutting face disposed at an angle ε with respect to a medial vertical plane through the left and right ends block. The right end includes a second abutting face disposed at an angle η with respect to the medial vertical plane, wherein ε≠η. The first abutting face of the left end of a first block is adapted to abut the second abutting face of the right end of the second block so that the front faces of the first and second blocks are angled, so that the rear faces of the first and second blocks are angled, so that a first groove is defined between front face of the first block and the front face of the second block, and so that a second groove is defined between the rear face of the first block and the rear face of the second block. 
   The front and rear faces of the first block may be substantially parallel to each other. Additionally, or alternatively, the first abutting face of the first block may be substantially perpendicular to the front and rear faces thereof. 
   The left end of each block may further include a first part which connects the first abutting face to the front face and a second part which connects the first abutting face to the rear face. Moreover, the right end of each block may further included a first part which connects the second abutting face to the front face and a second part which connects the second abutting face to the rear face. Additionally, the first groove may be defined between the first part of the left end of the first block and the first part of the right end of the second block. In addition, the second groove may be defined between the second part of the left end of the first block and the second part of the right end of the second block. 
   The first abutting face and the second abutting face of each block may be substantially equal in length. Additionally, or alternatively, the front face and the rear face of each block may be substantially equal in length. 
   The first and second blocks may be formed from a material selected from the group consisting of stone, brick, concrete, ceramic, and clay. 
   The first and second grooves may have appearances which are substantially similar. 
   The invention also contemplates a method of constructing a wall having at least one straight portion and at least one curved portion. This method includes: (a) placing a first block in a predetermined position; (b) placing a second block in an end-to-end orientation with respect to the first block to create a first of the at least one straight portion, said second block having a shape which is substantially the same as the first block; and (c) placing a third block in an end-to-end orientation with respect to either the first or the second block to create a first of the at least one curved portion, said third block having a shape which is substantially the same as the first and second blocks. Further, a front side of a wall formed by the first, second, and third blocks has an appearance which is substantially similar to an appearance of a rear side of the wall formed by the first, second, and third blocks. 
   A first end of the wall may have an appearance which is substantially similar to an appearance of a second end of the wall. 
   These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a block according to the present invention showing a first end thereof; 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the block of  FIG. 1A  showing an opposite end thereof; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the block of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  showing the relative angles between the sides thereof; 
       FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of three blocks of the type shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  abutting end-to-end to create a straight wall; 
       FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of three blocks of the type shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  abutting end-to-end to create a curved wall; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a plurality of blocks of the type shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  abutting end-to-end to create a wall having a curved portion and a straight portion; 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a portion of the wall of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the wall of  FIG. 4 ; and 
       FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the wall of FIG.  4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The invention will now be discussed in detail with respect to the drawings. Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  2  a block  10  according to the present invention has top and bottom faces joined by eight sides  11 - 18 .  FIG. 2  shows the relative angles between the sides  11 - 18 . 
   Although the sides  11 - 18  may be substantially planar in shape, they may also be rounded or roughened to provide a more natural appearance, as shown. It is preferable, however, for at least the end faces  14 ,  18  to be substantially planar to facilitate placing more than one block  10  end-to-end, as later described in detail. 
   It is preferable for the top and bottom faces of the block  10  to be similar in appearance so that the block  10  may be used in an inverted position, if desired. In addition, if the end-user does not intend to stack the blocks  10  on top of each other, the top and bottom faces of the block  10  could be rounded such that the second side  12  and the sixth side  16  form part of the same surface (which may be cylindrical); whichever face (top or bottom) will be adjacent the ground can be buried slightly so that the rounded portion thereof is in the ground. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first side  11  joins the second side  12  in an angle of α°. The second side  12  joins the third side  13  in an angle of α°. The third side  13  joins the fourth side  14  in an angle of δ°. The fourth side  14  joins the fifth side  15  in an angle of λ°. The fifth side  15  joins the sixth side  16  in an angle of α°. The sixth side  16  joins the seventh side  17  in an angle α°. The seventh side  17  joins the eighth side  18  in an angle of (270°−α°). And, the eighth side  18  joins the first side  11  in an angle (270°−α°). 
   As will hereafter be explained in detail, the various angles between the sides  11 - 18  have the following association: λ°+δ°+2(α°)=540°. The following geometric analysis will be understood with respect to FIG.  2 :
 
90°+90°+ Q°+β°= 360°, which can be resolved to be:  Equation No. 1:
 
 Q°+β°= 180°.  Equation No. 2:
 
(180°−α°)+ω°+90°=180°, which can be resolved to be:  Equation No. 3:
 
ω°=α°−90°.  Equation No. 4:
 
β°+δ°+(α°−90°)=180°, which can be resolved to be:  Equation No. 5:
 
β°=270°−δ°−α°.  Equation No. 6:
 
Substituting Equation No. 6 into Equation No. 2 yields:
 
 Q °+(270°−δ°−α°)=180°, which can be resolved to be:  Equation No. 7:
 
 Q°=δ°+α°− 90°.  Equation No. 8:
 
λ°+ Q°+ω°= 360°.  Equation No. 9:
 
Substituting Equation Nos. 4 and 8 into Equation 9 yields:
 
λ°+(δ°+α°−90°)+(α°−90°)=360°, which can be resolved to be:  Equation No. 10:
 
λ°+δ°+2(α°)=540°.  Equation No. 11:
 
   In one embodiment of the block  10 , α°=140°. As a result, the fifth side  15  joins the sixth side  16  in a angle of 140°, the sixth side  16  joins the seventh side  17  in an angle of 140°, the seventh side  17  joins the eighth side  18  in an angle of 130°, the eight side  18  joins the first side  11  in an angle of 130°, the first side  11  joins the second side  12  in an angle of 140°, and the second side  12  joins the third side  13  in an angle of 140°. If δ°=115°, the third side  13  joins the fourth side  14  in an angle of 115° and the fourth side  14  joins the fifth side in an angle of 145°. 
   In another embodiment, if all sides  11 - 18  were of equal length and if α°=135° (such that λ°+δ°=270°), to avoid the creation of a perfect octagon (which would not work to create a curved wall as later described in detail), λ° mmust not be equal to δ°, i.e., λ° and δ° should not also be 135°. 
   For reasons which will later become more clear, to facilitate placing more than one block  10  end-to-end to create a curved wall, it is preferable that the lengths of the fourth side  14  and the eighth side  18  be substantially equal. In addition, to facilitate placing more than one block  10  end-to-end to create a straight wall, it is preferable that the second side  12  and the sixth side  16  be substantially parallel to each other and to a medial plane  20  of the block  10 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the second side  12  and the sixth side  16  (which may be substantially equal in length) are preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the eighth side  18  (i.e., they are oriented with respect to the eighth side  18  at an angle of about ε°=90°). By way of contrast, the second side  12  and the sixth side  16  are preferably not oriented perpendicular to the fourth side  14 . Rather, the second side  12  and the sixth side  16  are oriented at an angle η° with respect to the medial plane  20 , where η°+β°+90°=180° and where η°≠ε°. It should be readily apparent, however, that in other embodiments of the block  10 , the second side  12  and the sixth side  16  may not be substantially perpendicular to the eighth side  18 , so long as the fourth side  14  and the eighth side  18  are oriented at different angles with respect to the second side  12  and the sixth side  16 ; this embodiment of the block  10  may be used to create a wall having curved portions formed of a variety of angles between adjacent blocks  10 . 
   Two or more blocks  10  can be oriented end-to-end to create a straight wall  100  (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) or a curved wall  200  (as shown in FIG.  3 B). With respect to  FIG. 3A , there is shown a first block  10 A, a second block  10 B, and a third block  10 C. The first block  10 A and the second block  10 B are abutted end-to-end such that the fourth side  14  of the first block  10 A abuts the fourth side  14  of the second block  10 B. Similarly, the eighth side  18  of the second block  10 B abuts the eighth side  18  of the third  10 C block. 
   In this orientation, a straight wall  100  formed by the three blocks  10 A,  10 B,  10 C has a front side  130  and a rear side  140 . Grooves  132  are provided in the front side  130  of the straight wall  100  between the first block  10 A and the second block  10 B and between block the second block  10 B and the third block  10 C. Similarly, grooves  142  are provided in the rear side  140  of the straight wall  100  between the first block  10 A and the second block  10 B and between the second block  10 B and the third block  10 C. The grooves  132  in the front side  130  of the wall  100  are substantially the same in appearance as the grooves  142  in the rear side  140  thereof. As a result, the overall appearance of the front side  130  of the straight wall  100  is substantially similar to the overall appearance of the rear side  140  thereof. 
   Substantial similarity in appearance of the front  130  and rear  140  sides of the straight wall  100  can be maintained when creating the curved wall  200  shown in FIG.  3 B. In this arrangement, the fourth side  14  of the first block  10 A abuts the eighth side  18  of the second block  10 B. Similarly, the fourth side  14  of the second block  10 B abuts the eighth side  18  of the third block  10 C. As the fourth sides  14  abut the eighth sides  18  in this arrangement and as previously mentioned, it is preferable that the fourth sides  14  and the eighth sides  18  have lengths which are substantially the same. 
   Similar to the straight wall  100 , the front side  230  of the curved wall  200  has grooves  232  defined between the first block  10 A and the second block  10 B and between the second block  10 B and the third block  10 C. Moreover, the rear side  240  of the curved wall  200  has grooves  242  defined between the first block  10 A and the second block  10 B and between the second block  10 B and the third block  10 C. The size of the grooves  232  in the front side  230  of the wall  200  is not identical to the size of the grooves  242  in the rear side  240  thereof. However, as both sets of grooves  232 ,  242  are wedge-shaped, the appearance of the grooves  232  in the front side  230  of the wall  200  is substantially similar to the appearance of the grooves  242  in the rear side  240  thereof. As a result, the overall appearance of the front side  230  of the curved Wall  200  is substantially similar to the overall appearance of the rear side  240  thereof. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , a wall  300  having curved portions  302  and straight portions  304  is made of a plurality of blocks  10 A- 10 G of the type shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  abutting end-to-end.  FIG. 5  shows details of this arrangement, while  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the appearance of the wall  300  viewed from the front and rear, respectively. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , three types of grooves  332 ,  334 ,  336  are formed in the front side  330  of the wall  300 . The first type of groove  332  is formed between adjacent blocks which are linearly arranged, e.g., between block  10 A and block  10 B, between block  10 B and block  10 C, and between block  10 E and block  10 F. A second type of groove  334  is formed where two adjacent blocks are arranged to form a concave curve, e.g., between block  10 C and block  10 D and between block  10 D and block  10 E. Finally, the third type of groove  336  is formed between two adjacent blocks arranged to form a convex curve, e.g., between block  10 F and block  10 G. Although the three types of grooves  332 ,  334 ,  336  may not be identical in size, they are substantially similar in appearance as they are all wedge-shaped, as later described with respect to FIG.  5 . 
   Similar to the front side  330 , three types of grooves  342 ,  344 ,  346  are formed in the rear side  340  of the wall  300 . The first type of groove  342  is formed between adjacent blocks which are linearly arranged, e.g., between block  10 A and block  10 B, between block  10 B and block  10 C, and between block  10 E and block  10 F. A second type of groove  344  is formed where two adjacent blocks are arranged to form a concave curve, e.g., between block  10 C and block  10 D and between block  10 D and block  10 E. Finally, the third type of groove  346  is formed between two adjacent blocks arranged to form a convex curve, e.g., between block  10 F and block  10 G. Although the three types of grooves  342 ,  344 ,  346  may not be identical in size, they are substantially similar in appearance as they are all wedge-shaped. Moreover, the appearance of the rear grooves  342 ,  344 ,  346  is substantially similar to the appearance of the front grooves  332 ,  334 ,  336 . As a result, the overall appearance of the front side  330  of the wall  300  is substantially similar to the overall appearance of the rear side  340  thereof. 
   The relative sizes of the grooves  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  shown in  FIG. 4  are shown in greater detail in FIG.  5 .  FIG. 5  shows that grooves  334 ,  346  satisfy an equation (Equation No. 12), that grooves  332 ,  342  satisfy an equation (Equation No. 13), and that grooves  336 ,  344  satisfy an equation (Equation No. 14), as follows:
 
λ°+(270°−α°)+ Y= 360°.  Equation No. 12:
 
λ°+δ°+ Z= 360°.  Equation No. 13:
 
(270°−α°)+δ°+ X= 360°.  Equation No. 14:
 
   As previously mentioned, if δ°=115 °, λ°=145°, and α°=140°, then Y=85°, Z=100°, and X=115°. As a result, the interior angle of the wedge-shaped grooves  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  varies by no more that about 30° (for this embodiment), thereby ensuring that the grooves are substantially similar in appearance. Moreover, as seen from  FIGS. 6 and 7 , grooves  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346  exist between each of the adjacent blocks  10 A- 10 G regardless of whether the blocks are arranged linearly or arranged to create a concave or convex curve. 
   Finally, it should be readily apparent with respect to  FIGS. 4-7 , that a plurality of similarly shaped blocks  10  can be methodically positioned to create a wall  300  which has at least one straight portion  304  and at least one curved portion  302  and which has a front side  330  the appearance of which is substantially similar to the appearance of a rear side  340  thereof. In this method, a first block  10 E is placed in a predetermined position. Thereafter, a second block  10 F is placed adjacent the first block  10 E in an end-to-end orientation thereby creating a first straight portion  304 . Subsequently, a third block  10 D/ 10 G can be placed adjacent the first block  10 E or the second block  10 F in an end-to-end orientation thereby creating a first curved portion  302 . As a result, the wall  300  will have three blocks ( 10 D,  10 E,  10 F or  10 E,  10 F,  10 G) which are arranged end-to-end defining a curved portion  302  and a straight portion  304 . Moreover, it should be readily apparent that additional blocks  10  can be added (in a straight or curved fashion) to the wall  300  to increase its length. In addition, as end of the blocks  10 D- 10 G are both formed of three sides (sides  17 ,  18 ,  11  and sides  12 ,  13 ,  14 ), the ends of the wall  300  will be substantially similar in appearance. 
   The invention is not limited to creating a landscaping wall. Rather, the blocks described herein may be used, for example, in masonry to create walls used to separate rooms within a structure. Accordingly, it should be understood that the apparatus and method described herein are illustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.