PATENT ABSTRACT
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.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/395,608, filed on Mar. 24, 2003, entitled “Mortarless Wall Structure,” and published as US Publication No. 2003/0188497 on Oct. 9, 2003 which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/015,052, filed Dec. 11, 2001, entitled “Mortarless Wall Structure,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,471 on Feb. 17, 2004, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/547,206, filed Apr. 12, 2000, entitled “Skirting Wall System,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,552 on Apr. 23, 2002. This application is also a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/363,999, filed Apr. 12, 2001, entitled “Mortarless Wall Structure,” and published as US Publication No. 2004/0006945 on Jan. 15, 2004, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/547,206, filed Apr. 12, 2000, entitled “Skirting Wall System,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,552 on Apr. 23, 2002. This application also claims priority to PCT application Serial No. PCT/US01/11957 filed on Apr. 12, 2001, entitled “Wall Structure,” and PCT application Serial No. PCT/US00/25791 filed on Sep. 20, 2000, entitled “Wall Structure,” and all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to decorative and structural blocks designed to be installed as exterior and interior walls for buildings. 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 to a wide variety of buildings, structures, and structural elements.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Transportable structures such as mobile homes, trailer homes, modular homes and recreational vehicles, by their very nature, are usually not intended to be built upon a conventional foundation. Rather, they are brought or driven to a location where they may remain for indeterminate periods of time. Often, over an extended period at a particular site, such structures may start to settle differentially onto or in the ground due to factors such as deflating tires or local variations in soil bearing capacities. Additionally, factors such as erosion and freeze-thaw cycles may also cause such structures to shift and/or tilt. In order to prevent such unwanted movement and ensure that a structure is level regardless of the ground&#39;s topography, the structures are often placed on stilts that extend from the structure or upon piles that extend from the ground, or even on isolated footings that distribute the weight of a structure over a relatively large surface area. While this solves the aforementioned problem of shifting/or sinking it often results in an unsightly visible gap in the area between the ground and the bottom of the structure.  
         [0004]     Various attempts to cover the unsightly gap have included the use of plants, natural material such as rocks and wood and manmade products such as cement, masonry and plastics. These attempts have proven to be either prohibitively expensive, difficult to install and/or disassemble, or unattractive and unable to withstand sustained exposure to nature&#39;s elements. Attempts that tend to be prohibitively expensive or difficult to install include, for example, wall structures constructed of large, custom-made, cement slabs having decorative faces, and standard masonry blocks held together with mortar. Attempts that fall into the latter category include such relatively fragile and easily breakable products as wooden or plastic lattices, and synthetic panels designed to simulate stones or bricks.  
         [0005]     Consequently, there is a need for an easy to assemble and/or dissemble, lightweight and sturdy, inexpensive wall structure for covering the gap between the ground and an elevated structure such as a mobile home.  
         [0006]     In other applications, where brick, stone, or concrete is used as veneer or fascia, for fencing, and as load-bearing and non load-bearing walls, etc., these structures are constructed with an eye towards permanence. That is, the structures are not meant to be easily dismantled. This means that the component parts are often able to interconnect with each other and/or with a support framework in some fashion. This usually entails the use of robust connections such as mechanical fasteners, adhesives, cement, or the like. For example, many types of veneers are typically coated with adhesive or cementitious material to enable them to be securely and directly bonded to a structure. Or, as another example, walls may be constructed in a conventional manner with blocks and mortar.  
         [0007]     Alternatively, wall structures may comprise heavy, interlocking blocks that rely on size and weight to achieve some measure of permanence. As one may well imagine, each of the aforementioned structures would be difficult and time consuming to reconfigure, remove, or repair should the need arise. And while the construction of some of these structures typically requires specialized knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve, it will be appreciated that disassembly may require other, additional specialized knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve. In light of these shortcomings, there is an additional need for a wall structure that may be easily assembled, disassembled and rebuilt or reconfigured by an unskilled user without damage to the constituent parts of the wall structure and which may be used as a veneer, fascia, cladding, fence, or as a load-bearing or non load-bearing wall.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides a solution to these needs and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Generally, the present invention provides a system by which structures may be provided with durable, easy to assemble externally facing surfaces, which are generally vertical and which may be used in a wide variety of applications. The system utilizes a series of particularly configured blocks that may be operatively connected to the structures by beams and/or brackets. One embodiment of the present invention provides a block wall system for use in skirting elevated 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 stabilized by one or more inverted u-shaped brackets which are attached at or near the bottom of an elevated structure. In an alternative embodiment, a u-shaped bracket is provided with an arm that is rotatably attached thereto and which is movable into a position that facilitates attachment to a generally vertical surface. In another embodiment, the blocks are configured so that lateral support beams may be positioned not only between adjacent columns but also at intermediate positions along the block as well. In another embodiment, the lateral support beam is configured so that it can be movably coupled to a bracket, which may be attached to an existing structure.  
         [0010]     One embodiment of the block comprises a front face, a rear face, top and bottom surfaces, and side surfaces, and each side surface includes an outwardly opening, vertically oriented groove for receiving a portion of a support beam. The top and bottom surfaces are configured to facilitate a stacking relationship between adjacent courses of blocks such that they are generally coplanar. This relationship is most easily achieved by making the top and bottom surfaces substantially collateral, planar and relatively perpendicular to rear and/or front faces. Another embodiment of the block includes the provision of externally formed channels that are configured and arranged to prevent moisture from forming and collecting at the rear face of the block. Another embodiment of the block includes at least one through hole or aperture that is substantially aligned with outwardly opening, vertically oriented grooves in the side surfaces of a block. As will be explained later, the through holes or apertures facilitate use with support beams in a variety of applications. Another embodiment of the block has viewable surfaces or facings that are angled with respect to each other and which facilitate the formation of closed structures.  
         [0011]     One purpose of the beams is to keep vertically stacked, self-supporting columns of blocks from buckling when subjected to a force normal to the plane of the column. This strengthening is accomplished providing the beams with lateral extensions or ribs that are configured to be received in aligned grooves at the sides of the vertically stacked blocks. Another purpose of the beams is to link adjacent columns of blocks together in a colonnade-like arrangement to form a wall structure. This is also achieved with the aforementioned lateral extensions and grooves. As may be expected, the beams provide very little, if any, support in a vertical direction. The columns so constructed are considered independent because, unlike conventionally constructed masonry or stone walls, the joints between adjacent blocks are in alignment with each other rather than being offset as in a running bond. This enables the columns of blocks to move up and down relative to each other, without appreciably altering the inherent continuity of a wall structure. As will be appreciated, the rigidity of the blocks provides enough support to prevent a column from failing in the vertical direction. When a more robust wall structure is desired, blocks that have appropriately configured apertures and rearwardly facing slots may be stacked in a running bond arrangement and strengthened and linked together by support beams. Although the beams can be fabricated form a variety of materials such as metals and plastics, extruded aluminum, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are preferred.  
         [0012]     It will be appreciated that the use of the lateral support beams also eliminates and/or substantially reduces the need for mortar to stabilize and unify the blocks. This wall structure system is advantageous over traditional brick and mortar walls for obvious reasons. First, fewer materials are required to build a wall. Second, the materials are easier to handle and manipulate, and no special tools or skills are required. Third, a wall can be constructed under conditions that would not be possible using traditional brick and mortar construction and a person need not be concerned about time constraints imposed by drying mortar. Fourth, the joints formed between adjacent blocks allow the wall to appear monolithic or seamless at a surprisingly close distance. Moreover, by providing blocks that have had their marginal areas modified, it is also possible to create walls that have the appearance of conventional block and mortar construction. Fifth, the block wall system can be constructed on a variety of surfaces, including sand, gravel, dirt, or building elements such as H-beams, flooring, base blocks, etc. It is not necessary to pour a foundation.  
         [0013]     The lateral support beams also allow the blocks to be substantially thinner than conventional masonry blocks. These thin, lightweight blocks are not only easier to handle and ship, but require less material and time to fabricate. The blocks are generally about 1 to 4 inches (2.5-10 cm.) thick, about 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm.) in height and about 6 to 24 inches (15-60 cm.) in width, and preferably have a thickness on the order of around 2½ inches (6.0 cm.). As one may appreciate, the combination of the thin blocks and the support beams facilitates construction of masonry wall structures in locations and configurations that were heretofore not possible using thin blocks alone. The resulting wall structure of this system is surprisingly strong and it may even be used to provide support to an elevated structure. When a wall structure is installed about an elevated structure, such as a portable home, the elevated structure may be lowered onto the blocks of the wall. Alternatively, the block wall system may serve as a skirt, which improves the aesthetics of the structure and keeps animals, litter, snow, etc. from intruding or being otherwise introduced beneath the structure. Or, the block wall system may be used with existing structures such as elevated decks and retaining walls. With these embodiments, it is not necessary that the blocks make actual contact with the structure.  
         [0014]     The block wall system also allows the wall to be easily disassembled and reassembled. This not only gives flexibility during initial construction, but also allows later renovations to be made quickly and inexpensively. For instance, it may be desirable or required to vent elevated structures having skirting walls, to prevent the buildup of moisture or condensation between the ground and the elevated structure. Such vents can be easily installed into an existing wall, especially if they are of similar dimensions and configurations as the blocks. The blocks of a given column are simply removed and reinstalled, replacing one of the blocks with the vent. Other auxiliary items, such as an access door or lights, could be installed in a similar manner.  
         [0015]     The wall block system of the present invention is not confined to linear structures. As will be appreciated, the system also allows walls to intersect to form angled or closed structures. In one embodiment, two intersecting walls are simply aligned to form a butt joint and fasteners such as pegs, or screws, and plastic inserts are used to fasten one wall to the other. Alternatively, construction mastic, or a similar type of adhesive, may be applied instead of or in combination with the abovementioned fasteners. In another embodiment, blocks are preformed as angled intersecting wall units that have been provided with outwardly opening, vertically oriented side grooves configured to receive portions of support beams, which may be further linked to other wall blocks as described above. As will be appreciated, such blocks may be combined together to form hollow columnar structures, or may be used to clad an existing structure such as a support post. Again, ease of installation is greatly improved by the block wall system of the present invention.  
         [0016]     Another embodiment of the wall structure uses a differently configured bracket than the aforementioned u-shaped bracket. It, too, is used to operatively connect the wall structure to a support. The bracket of this embodiment, however, attaches in a slightly different manner than the u-shaped bracket. Instead of straddling the upper portion of a top-most block as with the u-shaped bracket of the aforementioned embodiment, this bracket has one end that is configured to be positioned within space defined by opposing vertical grooves of adjacent blocks. That is, the bracket is designed to be installed at or near the sides of a column. The other end of the bracket is configured to be attached at or near the bottom of a structure. An advantage with this bracket it that it is able to provide support for the wall structure in two directions, while allowing movement of wall components relative thereto in a third direction. As will be appreciated, this bracket may be easily installed and removed without the need for special training or tools. Preferably, the bracket of this embodiment is L-shaped, although it is envisioned that other shapes are possible. For example, the bracket may be linear, or it may be linear and have an axial twist in it. Or, the structure-engaging portion may be provided with a u-shape or even its own integral fastener.  
         [0017]     An assembly of blocks may be operatively connected to a support using yet another embodiment of the wall skirting system. With this embodiment, the support beam is configured to be movably coupled to one or more brackets that, in turn, may be attached to the support. This allows the beam to move relative to the bracket(s) without sacrificing the strength of the assembled blocks, and also allows the beams to be connected to the structure at different locations along its length. For example, at the top, at the bottom, or anywhere in between. As will be understood, in order for the support beam and bracket to operate in such a constrained manner the bracket(s) need to be configured so that they are able to slidingly retain the beam. Thus, differently configured beams may require specially configured brackets.  
         [0018]     In another embodiment of the block wall system, blocks are operatively connected to a structure with one or more brackets, which are configured to be able to engage the side grooves of adjacent blocks, and which may be directly attached to the structure. As will be appreciated, the brackets of this embodiment will permit the blocks to move relative thereto, but not to the degree that is available with the aforementioned support beam and bracket combination. As with the aforementioned support beams, the brackets can be fabricated form a variety of materials such as metals and plastics. However, steel, extruded aluminum, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are preferred.  
         [0019]     It will be appreciated that wall structures other than linear structures are possible. For example, support beams and blocks may be used to construct circular, or sinuous structures by providing curved blocks or blocks with one curved viewable surface (when viewed cross-sectionally from a point above the top surface of the block) that are operatively connected to support beams that are similarly arranged. Alternatively, a wall structure may be constructed in a zigzag or erose form with the support beams collaterally arranged relative to each other in a zigzag manner. To reduce vertical gaps between forwardly facing viewable surfaces of adjacent blocks in such a wall structure, it would be a matter of providing support beams with ribs that are angled with respect to the web and mitering or beveling the opposing sides of the blocks, or using a combination of both angling and mitering the ribs and sides, respectively. A similarly configured wall may also be constructed using support beams arranged in a coplanar or staggered fashion relative to each other and blocks having a predetermined, angular viewable surface (when viewed cross-sectionally from a point above the top surface of the blocks). For example, a “V”, “L”, or a “W”. Such blocks may have parallel front and rear faces, if desired. With such a construction, neither the support beams nor the opposing fingers need to be modified. In a related construction, it is envisioned that blocks be constructed having angles of ninety degrees so that they may be used as inner or outer corners. With such blocks, the opposing sides and their fingers would be perpendicular to each other.  
         [0020]     In one method of constructing a freestanding, low wall structure of the present invention, a person would prepare or otherwise select an appropriate location in which to construct a wall. The construction would begin by placing a first block having opposing side grooves in a desired position and orientation. Then, a second, similar block would be placed directly on top of the first block so that the opposing side grooves of the first and second blocks are in vertical alignment with each other and the first and second blocks form a column. Next, the first and second blocks would be operatively connected to each other along their respective sides by inserting at least one rib of first and second support beams into the aligned grooves of the respective sides of the first and second blocks and seating them securely. A second column comprising similarly configured third and a fourth blocks may now be constructed. The operation is much the same, except now the third block is positioned so that one of its sides is adjacent to one of the sides of the first block and its groove engages at least one other rib of one of the already positioned support beams. The fourth block is then positioned on top of the third block in a similar manner. That is, the fourth block is positioned so that one of its sides is adjacent to one of the sides of the second block and its groove engages at least one other rib of one of the already positioned support beam. After the second column is erected, the third and fourth blocks would be operatively connected to each other along their respective free side by inserting at least one rib of a third support beam into their aligned vertical groove of the respective sides of the first and second blocks and seating them securely. And so on.  
         [0021]     Another, alternative method of constructing a wall structure of the present invention according to the present invention would be as follows. A person would prepare or otherwise select an appropriate substructure on which to construct a wall structure. The construction would begin by operatively connecting a first elongated support beam to the substructure. Then using the first support beam as a reference, a series of additional support beams would be operatively connected to the substructure, with all of the support beams in vertical and collateral alignment, and with the distance between adjacent support beams sufficient to enable the ribs of adjacent beams to engage opposing side grooves of a block. Once the dimensions of the wall structure have been established, the blocks with opposing side grooves may be positioned by sliding the blocks along the length of and between adjacent support beams. This may be done course by course, column by column, or in a mixture of both columns and courses, as desired.  
         [0022]     In a variation of the aforementioned methods of construction, a person would begin by operatively connecting a first elongated support beam to the substructure in a vertical orientation. Then a first block having opposing side grooves would be placed in a desired position and orientation against the first elongate support beam so that at least one of the ribs of the first beam is seated within one of the side grooves of the block. Then, a second, similar block would be placed directly on top of the first block so that the at least one rib of the first beam is also seated within one of the side grooves of the second block so that the opposing side grooves of the first and second blocks are in vertical alignment with each other and the first and second blocks form a column. Next, the first and second blocks are operatively connected to each other along their other respective sides by aligning the grooves of the respective sides of the first and second blocks, and inserting at least one rib of a second support beam into the aligned grooves and seating it securely therein. After the second support beam is seated, it is attached to the substructure. A second column comprising similarly configured third and a fourth blocks may now be constructed. The operation is the same, with the third block positioned so that one of its sides is adjacent to one of the sides of the first block and its groove engages another rib of the already positioned second support beam. The fourth block is then positioned on top of the third block in a similar manner. That is, the fourth block is positioned so that one of its sides is adjacent to one of the sides of the second block and its groove engages another rib of the already positioned second support beam. After the second column is erected, the third and fourth blocks would be operatively connected to each other along their respective free side by aligning the grooves of the respective sides of the third and fourth blocks, and inserting at least one rib of a third support beam into the aligned grooves and seating it securely therein. After the third support beam is seated, it is attached to the substructure. And so on.  
         [0023]     Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]      FIG. 1  is a partial, perspective view of two embodiments of the block wall system, with one preferred embodiment of blocks arranged below an elevated first (upper level) deck structure and another embodiment of blocks arranged about the perimeter of an adjacent, elevated second (lower level) deck structure;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a partial, exploded, perspective view of the block arrangement below the elevated first (upper level) deck structure of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2   a  is a top plan view of the block arrangement of  FIG. 1 , taken generally along lines  2   a - 2   a;    
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of the block arrangement about the perimeter of the elevated second (lower level) deck structure of  FIG. 1  taken generally along lines  3 - 3 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3   a  is a partial, side elevational, cross-sectional view of an alternative support for the block arrangement of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an elevated structure skirted with an embodiment of the blocks of the present invention arranged in a wall structure;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view the wall structure of  FIG. 4  taken generally along lines  5 - 5 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of blocks arranged to provide a facia wall for a retaining wall;  
         [0032]      FIG. 6   a  is a partial, side elevational, cross-sectional view of the block arrangement of  FIG. 6  taken generally along lines  6   a - 6   a;    
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a block of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7   a  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a block of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 7   b  is a bottom plan view of the block of  FIG. 7   a;    
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a partial, cross-sectional, plan view of an embodiment of a corner construction of a wall structure of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a block of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the block of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of a support beam of the present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11   a  is a partial, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support beam of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a partial, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support beam;  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a partial, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a support beam;  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a block engagement portion of a vertical support beam similar to that of  FIG. 11   a , with the remainder of the support beam shown in phantom;  
         [0044]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a block engagement portion of a support beam similar to that of  FIG. 11   a , with the remainder of the support beam shown in phantom;  
         [0045]      FIG. 16  is a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of a support beam of the present invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is a partial, perspective view of another embodiment of a support beam in conjunction with a bracket, with the bracket configured to be attached to a sub structure;  
         [0047]      FIG. 18  is a partial, perspective view of another embodiment of a support beam in conjunction with another embodiment of a bracket, with the bracket configured to be attached to a sub structure;  
         [0048]      FIG. 19  is a partial, perspective view of another embodiment of a support beam in conjunction with another embodiment of a bracket with the bracket configured to be attached to a substructure;  
         [0049]      FIG. 20  is a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of a support beam having an integrally formed aperture and an integrally formed bracket, with the support beam able to be used with the support beam of  FIG. 19  to construct/form a double sided wall structure;  
         [0050]      FIG. 21 a  partial, perspective view of another embodiment of a support beam;  
         [0051]      FIG. 22  is a partial, top plan view, taken generally along lines  22 - 22  of  FIG. 4 , of showing adjacent blocks of the present invention in conjunction with a support beam;  
         [0052]      FIG. 23  is a partial, top plan view of the two blocks abutted with a support beam of  FIG. 22 , but with the support beam arranged in an alternative configuration;  
         [0053]      FIG. 23   a  is a partial, top plan view of the blocks of  FIG. 23  as they may be assembled into a wall structure, or as a wall structure is disassembled;  
         [0054]      FIG. 24  is a partial, top plan view of two blocks, a support beam, and a support bracket that have been assembled into a wall structure;  
         [0055]      FIG. 24   a  is a partial, top plan view of a portion of the blocks, support beam, and bracket of  FIG. 24 , as they may be assembled into a wall structure, or as a wall structure is disassembled;  
         [0056]      FIG. 25  is a partial, top plan view of two blocks of the present invention in conjunction with an alternative embodiment of a support beam;  
         [0057]      FIG. 26  is a partial, top plan view of two blocks of the present invention in conjunction with another alternative embodiment of a support beam;  
         [0058]      FIG. 27  is a partial, top plan view of the support beams shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  in conjunction with blocks of the present invention;  
         [0059]      FIG. 28  is a partial, top plan view of two blocks of  FIG. 7   a  that are operatively connected to the support beam of  FIG. 11   a;    
         [0060]      FIG. 29  is a partial, top plan view of the support beam of  FIG. 16  as it may be used to operatively connect blocks of the present invention to a substructure;  
         [0061]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a wall structure construction using another preferred embodiment of support beams and blocks of the present invention;  
         [0062]      FIG. 31  is a partial, top plan view of the support beam and bracket of  FIG. 17  as they may be used to operatively connect blocks to a substructure;  
         [0063]      FIG. 32  is a partial, top plan view of the support beam and bracket of  FIG. 18  as they may be used to operatively connect blocks to a substructure;  
         [0064]      FIG. 33  is a partial, top plan view of the support beam and bracket of  FIG. 19  as they may be used to operatively connect blocks to a substructure;  
         [0065]      FIG. 34  is a partial, top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the support beam of  FIG. 21  as it may be used to operatively connect blocks to a substructure;  
         [0066]      FIG. 35  is a partial, top plan view of the support beam of  FIG. 21  as it may be used to operatively connect blocks to a substructure;  
         [0067]      FIG. 36  is a partial, top plan view of the support beam of  FIG. 20  and the support beam of  FIG. 19  as they may be used to operatively connect differently sized blocks together in a dual-sided wall structure;  
         [0068]      FIG. 37  is a partial, top plan view of the blocks of  FIG. 7  in conjunction with another embodiment of a support beam, with the support beam operatively connecting the blocks to an existing structure;  
         [0069]      FIG. 37   a  is a partial, top plan view of the blocks of  FIG. 7  in conjunction with another alternative embodiment of a support beam with the support beam operatively connecting the blocks to an existing structure;  
         [0070]      FIG. 37   b  is a partial, top plan view of blocks of  FIG. 7  in conjunction with another alternative embodiment of a support beam with the support beam operatively connecting the blocks to an existing structure;  
         [0071]      FIG. 38  is a partial, top plan view of a free standing dual wall structure wherein the respective walls of the wall structure are connected to each other in a spaced relation by an alternative embodiment of a support beam;  
         [0072]      FIG. 39  is a partial, top plan view of blocks of  FIG. 7  in conjunction with an alternative embodiment of the support beam of  FIG. 20 , wherein the aperture is configured to received a post;  
         [0073]      FIG. 40  is a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of a wall structure of the present invention and a preferred attachment bracket;  
         [0074]      FIG. 41  is a perspective view of the attachment bracket of  FIG. 40 ;  
         [0075]      FIG. 42  is a side elevational view of the bracket of  FIG. 41  attached to a lower surface of a structure, and as it may be attached to an upper surface of the structure (shown in phantom);  
         [0076]      FIG. 43  is a perspective view if the attachment bracket of  FIG. 41  as it may be used in conjunction with the support beam of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 44  is an exploded, perspective view of an attachment bracket and the support beam of  FIG. 11   a;    
         [0078]      FIG. 45  is a rear perspective view of the attachment bracket and support beam of  FIG. 44  after they have been operatively connected to each other;  
         [0079]      FIG. 46  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment bracket suitable for use with a support beam as depicted in  FIG. 11   a;    
         [0080]      FIG. 47  is a plan view of the attachment bracket of  FIG. 46  as it may be operatively connected to a support beam as depicted in  FIG. 11   a;    
         [0081]      FIG. 48  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment bracket having an arm that is rotatably connected thereto, and which is in a first position;  
         [0082]      FIG. 49  is a perspective view of the attachment bracket of  FIG. 48  in which the arm has been rotated to a second position;  
         [0083]      FIG. 50  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment bracket;  
         [0084]      FIG. 51  is a partial, perspective view of a wall structure in which blocks of the present invention are operatively connected to a substructure by the vertically oriented support beams and brackets of  FIGS. 2 and 2   a;    
         [0085]      FIG. 52  is another partial perspective view of a wall structure in which blocks of the present invention are operatively connected to a substructure by horizontally oriented support beams and brackets of  FIGS. 2 and 2   a;    
         [0086]      FIG. 53  is a side elevation view of a block wall structure that is operatively connected to a structure;  
         [0087]      FIG. 54  is an edge view of a sealing element that is used in the construction of the wall structure of  FIG. 53 ;  
         [0088]      FIG. 55  is a perspective view of the sealing element of  FIG. 54 ;  
         [0089]      FIG. 56  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 53 , which depicts the sealing element of  FIGS. 54 and 55  as it resides between structural elements;  
         [0090]      FIG. 57  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment bracket for use in conjunction with blocks of the present invention;  
         [0091]      FIG. 58  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment bracket for use in conjunction with blocks of the present invention;  
         [0092]      FIG. 59  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment bracket for use in conjunction with blocks of the present invention; and,  
         [0093]      FIG. 60  is a plan view of the brackets of  FIGS. 57 and 59  operatively connecting blocks of the present invention to a substructure.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0094]      FIG. 1  illustrates several embodiments of the wall block system of present invention, as practiced with an elevated first (upper level) deck d 1  and an adjacent, elevated second (lower level) deck structure d 2 . The first embodiment is an elevated upper level deck structure d 1 , which is supported by a plurality of vertical posts that have been provided with an external sheathing of blocks that are operatively connected to the posts by support beams and brackets.  
         [0095]     As depicted, the blocks used to sheath the post are angled blocks, such as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a . The blocks, which are provided with grooves at their side edges, are configured to be operatively connected to a post by one or more support beams  716 , which will be discussed later in greater detail. As depicted, the support beams may be directly attached to the post. Alternatively, the blocks may also be operatively connected to the post by a support beam and a bracket  354  (see, for example,  FIG. 2   a , which will be discussed later in greater detail), or by brackets alone (see  FIGS. 57, 58 ,  59  and  60 ). While it will be understood that a post sheathing will be relatively robust, it may be desirable to create a more permanent structure. This can be achieved, for example, by providing the horizontal and/or vertical edge surfaces of the blocks with a suitable adhesive  58  (vertical edge surfaces shown in phantom). Alternatively, the blocks may be secured by one or more circumferential bands of material (not shown).  
         [0096]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  2   a , it will be apparent that gaps may exist between the blocks and the post, and that moisture and debris may infiltrate the gaps from above, and/or between the joints between adjacent blocks. As will be understood, such infiltration may be substantially reduced by providing the sheathed post with cap stones, flashing gaskets or other construction elements that serve to effectively close the gaps from above. Infiltration reduction may also be achieved by providing the horizontal and vertical edge surfaces with caulking material.  
         [0097]     The second embodiment of the block wall system of  FIG. 1  depicts another application of the present invention, where blocks are used to skirt an elevated, lower level, second deck structure d 2 . In this application, the wall structure comprises several block embodiments. Starting from the left corner, the upper and lowermost courses comprise blocks that are similar to the corner blocks of  FIGS. 2 and 2   a . The middle course, while it could comprise a block of  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , is constructed using two linear blocks that are connected to each other by fastening element such as pins and/or adhesive material (see, for example,  FIG. 8 ). Continuing towards the right, the next block embodiments, which will be discussed later in greater detail, are generally linear and as will be discussed later, configured to be operatively connected to the deck frame. Continuing on to the right corner, the arrangement of the blocks is similar to the arrangement of the blocks depicted at the left corner. The right corner differs, however, in that the corners formed by the blocks are not ninety degrees. Instead, the corner formed by the intersection of two walls is obtuse.  
         [0098]     As will be discussed later in greater detail, the skirting structure blocks may be operatively connected to the deck frame in a manner similar to the previously discussed post sheathing. That is, through the use of support beams, support beams and bracket, or brackets. The wall structure depicted in  FIG. 5  uses a support beam that is attached directly to the deck frame. As will be discussed later, the support beam serves to maintain and align a plurality of blocks. As depicted, the blocks of  FIG. 5  are supported by a longitudinal L-shaped support bar that is also attached to the deck frame. With this operative connection, the blocks are not subject to external forces such as frost heave, and are generally static.  
         [0099]     In the partial depiction wall structure of  FIG. 5   a , the support beam is indirectly connected to the deck frame by one or more brackets. In this instance, the beam and bracket combination is similar to the beam and bracket combination of  FIG. 2   a . This combination allows the beam (and blocks), which rest on a footing, to move in response to external forces such as frost heave. In this regard, the operative connection can be considered dynamic.  
         [0100]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an elevated structure “S” skirted with a wall system  10  of the present invention. Generally, the wall structure  10  comprises of a plurality of blocks  12  forming columns  14  (see also,  FIG. 4 ) partially spaced apart and held in place by vertically oriented, lateral support beams (see, for example,  FIGS. 5, 11 ,  22 , and  23 ). Downward opening brackets  18  (see  FIGS. 5 and 22 ) that are attached to the bottom of the structure “S” being skirted, are configured to engaged the top block  12  of selected columns  14  to help prevent the wall structure  10  from tipping rearwardly or forwardly. As used herein, the term “forward” means away from the center of the elevated structure “S” and the term “rearward” means toward the center of the elevated structure “S”.  
         [0101]      FIGS. 4 and 7  show an arrangement of blocks  12  that form a plurality of columns  14 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 7 , each block  12  is generally panel-shaped and includes a front face  20 , a rear face  22 , a top surface  24 , a bottom surface  26  and pairs of side surfaces  28   a ,  29   a  and  28   b ,  29   b , respectively. The side surface pairs  28   a ,  29   a  and  28   b ,  29   b , respectively, are preferably somewhat perpendicular to the rear face  22  and/or the front face  20 . Side surface  28   a  is spaced from side surface  28   b  by a distance (taken along a “x” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to the blocks  12 ) to define a width  33  of the block  12 . Additionally, each pair of side surfaces  28   a  and  29   a ,  28   b  and  29   b , include a substantially vertical groove  34  therebetween, which is configured to receive a portion of a lateral support beam  16  (See, for example,  FIG. 11 ).  
         [0102]     Note that while the top and bottom surfaces  24 ,  26  of adjacent blocks  12  are configured to contact each other without thick layers of mortar or binding material therebetween, it is envisioned that the use of thin layers of intermediate materials, which may serve to strengthen and/or provide resistance to moisture may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, it will be apparent that thin or no intermediate layers will minimize the spacing between blocks and allow the marginal areas  23   c ,  23   d  of adjacent blocks  12  to combine and simulate horizontally oriented splitting recesses.  
         [0103]     As will be understood, the brackets  18  (see  FIGS. 4 and 22 ) prevent rearward or forward movement of the column  14  and also work in conjunction with the beam  16  to prevent columns  14  not in direct contact with the bracket  18  from tipping over rearwardly or forwardly. It is envisioned that the beams  16  may be directly attached to the wall structure  10  (similar to  FIG. 29 ) or alternatively, the bracket  18  may be solely responsible for preventing the wall structure  10  from tipping over. While it will be understood that the bracket  18  can be of any suitable material, synthetic, more preferably poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) or other durable plastic is preferred.  
         [0104]     The bracket  18  comprises a front wall  44 , a rear wall  46  spaced apart from front wall  44  and a top wall  48  joining the front wall  44  to the rear wall  46  in a generally inverted “U”-shape. The front wall  44  and the rear wall  46  define an opening  50 , which is configured and arranged to receive an uppermost portion of the top block  12  of a column  14 . In practice, the bracket  18  is attached at or near the underside of a structure “S” to be skirted so that the opening  50  can receive the upper portion of the top block  12  of a column  14 . Preferably, the bracket  18  is positioned such that it may straddle the central region of an uppermost block  12 . It may be desired to make rear wall  46  of a greater vertical dimension than the front wall  44  to provide additional support. It may also be desired to provide a bracket  18  with a rear wall  46 , width that extends in a lateral direction further than the front wall  44  width. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the bracket  18  can be formed into a variety of lengths. For instance, the bracket  18  can be as short as one inch or as long as the entire skirted structure “S”.  
         [0105]     While the top wall  48  of the bracket  18  is depicted in  FIG. 4  as being in contact with the top surface  24  of the uppermost block  12  of the column  14 , it should be understood that this need not always be the case. In situations where the wall structure  10  is not a load bearing wall, or where the terrain shifts or changes due to climate, settling, animals, roots, etc., it may be desirable to provide a gap between the top wall  48  and the top surface of the wall structure  10 . Thus, individual columns  14  will be able to move vertically in small increments without destroying the integrity of the wall structure  10  or the skirted structure (not shown). In that regard, it should be appreciated that the beams  16  slidingly grip portions of the blocks  12 . That is to say, the beams  16  do not grip the blocks  12  with so much force as to preclude relative movement of the blocks  12  therealong in a longitudinal direction.  
         [0106]      FIGS. 6 and 6   a  show an embodiment of another application of the present invention, where blocks are used to provide a facia wall in front of an existing retaining wall. The facia wall is formed using support beams and brackets similar to the beams and brackets depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a . That is, the support beam  716 , as shown, comprises an elongated spine or web  718  and plurality of ribs  720  and  722 ,  724  and  726 , which are arranged in a substantially coplanar and collateral relation so that the first pair of ribs  720 ,  722 , which are substantially coplanar and extend away from each other. The first pair of ribs  720 ,  722  are designed to engage the grooves of one or more blocks of a structure (see, for example,  FIG. 6   a ).  
         [0107]     In addition, the web  718  also includes a second pair of ribs  724 ,  726 , which are also substantially coplanar and which extend away from each other. Note that the pairs of ribs  724  and  726  are in substantially collateral or parallel relation with respect to each other and are spaced apart from each other by a distance defined by the web  718 . As better shown in  FIGS. 51 and 52 , the support beam  716  also includes a pair of pair of leg structures  730  having leg portions  732   a ,  732   b  that they extend rearwardly away from ribs  724 ,  726  and which form a generally U-shaped channel therewith. One of the leg portions  732   b  includes a foot  734 . that extends laterally away from the leg portion  732   b  and is generally parallel with ribs  724 ,  726 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , the foot may be connected directly or indirectly to a support structure. However, as depicted, the beams of  FIGS. 6 and 6   a  are operatively connected to a structure by a plurality of brackets  354 , which are attached to blocks of the retaining wall. With such an arrangement the beams, which are slidingly constrained by the brackets, permit blocks to move without destroying the integrity of the structure.  
         [0108]     The brackets  354  used to operatively connect the beams  718  to the retaining wall blocks generally comprise a structure engaging portion, a web, and a support beam engaging portion. As shown in  FIG. 50 , the structure engaging portion  356  of bracket  354  comprises a single or first member  357  that is provided with an aperture  360 , which is used to facilitate attachment to the retaining wall with fastening elements such as nails, threaded fasteners, or anchor bolts. It will be appreciated, however, that an aperture or apertures need not be present in order to attach the bracket to a structure. The fastening element(s) may be driven through the first member, if desired. Additionally, it will also be appreciated that attachment may also be achieved with suitable adhesives, in lieu of, or in addition to, fastening elements. The support beam engaging portion  358  comprises a web  362  and a pair of legs  364 ,  366 , which are angled with respect to the web to form a generally “L”-shape. The web  362  includes an aperture  368  that is accessible through a slot  370  defined by edges  372  and  374  of legs  366  and  364 , respectively. The aperture  368  and slot  370  are configured to slidingly receive a leg portion  732   b  and foot  734  of a support beam (see also,  FIGS. 50, 51  and  52 ).  
         [0109]     Attention is now directed to the individual components of a wall structure  10 .  FIG. 7  depicts a preferred embodiment of a block  12 . It can be seen that the block  12  is generally panel-shaped and includes a front face  20 , a rear face  22 , a top surface  24 , a bottom surface  26  and pairs of side surfaces  28   a ,  29   a  and  28   b ,  29   b , respectively. The block  12  is preferably made of a composite masonry material in a dry-cast molding operation. Though the general shape of the blocks  12  is more important than the material used in order to practice the present invention, composite masonry material provides the most desirable combination of strength, appearance, economy, and ease of manufacturing. It is envisioned, however, that other materials can be used, such as concrete, fiberglass, ceramics, hard plastics, dense foam, or even wood.  
         [0110]     The front face  20  is spaced from the rear face  22  by a predetermined distance herein defining the thickness or depth  30  (generally about 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10.0 cm)) of the block  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the front face  20  is formed to have a roughened or rustic surface. Such surfaces commonly result during block fabrication, where a mold is cast and the casting is later split or fractured into two blocks along a predetermined plane, with the plane of separation between the two blocks defining a pair of opposing front faces. Splitting is not necessary to carry out the spirit of the invention, however, and the block  12  may be formed by other known methods. Moreover, the front face  20  can be dressed, modified, or otherwise worked in any desired manner.  
         [0111]     A vertically oriented splitting recess  21  may be provided on the front face  20  of the block  12  to enable the block  12  to be fashioned into predetermined shapes. In  FIG. 7 , the splitting recess  21  is depicted as bisecting the block  12 . However, it is understood that the splitting recess can be located and oriented elsewhere on the block. That is, the splitting recess can be off-center, horizontal, diagonal, etc. Moreover, it is also understood that the block can be provided with more than one splitting recess, if desired.  
         [0112]     The front face  20  includes marginal areas  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d . As may be expected, the number of marginal areas corresponds to the number of edges of the front face  20 . These marginal areas may be worked or modified, if desired, to produce different visual effects. Here, the desired effect is for the marginal areas  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d  to simulate splitting recesses  21 . Thus, the marginal areas  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d  are formed so that when blocks  12  are positioned in contact with each other in a wall structure  10 , the cross-sectional profiles of their marginal areas  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d , when combined, simulate splitting recesses  21 . As depicted the splitting recesses  21  have a cross-sectional profile that is somewhat circular, and the marginal areas  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d  have cross-sectional areas that are fluted or arced. As can be appreciated, the splitting recesses  21  and marginal areas  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c , and  23   d  may be configured with other cross-sectional profiles, if desired. For example, a “V”-shaped cross-sectional profile.  
         [0113]     As mentioned above, tight or thin joints  31  (See  FIG. 3 ) between adjacent blocks  12  enables a wall structure to appear monolithic or seamless. This feature may be used in combination with splitting recesses  21  and marginal areas  23   a - d  of the blocks  12  to create different visual effects. For example, it is envisioned that a wall structure may simulate running bonds by having the blocks of each column alternate between a block with no splitting recess and worked marginal areas and a block having a splitting recess and worked horizontal marginal areas (see, for example,  FIG. 40 ). Or, it is envisioned that the splitting recesses and marginal areas be selected to enable the wall structure to simulate an ashlar block wall (not shown).  
         [0114]     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the top surface  24  is spaced from the bottom surface  26  by a distance (taken along a “y” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to the block  12 ) to define the height  32  (about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm)) of the block  12 . When blocks  12  are arranged vertically to form a column  14  (see  FIG. 4 ), the bottom surface  26  of any block  12  other than the bottom block of a column  14  (not shown) rests on the top surface  24  of the block therebelow. It is therefore preferred that the top surface  24  and the bottom surface  26  be configured to facilitate a stacking relationship between two blocks  12 . A stacking relationship is most easily achieved by making the top and bottom surfaces  24 ,  26  substantially collateral, planar, and relatively perpendicular to the rear face  22  and/or the front face  20 , as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Alternatively, it is envisioned that top and bottom surfaces  24 ,  26  may be complementarily shaped, and not perpendicular to the rear face and/or the front face, but which permit upper and lower blocks to be stacked in a vertical relationship (not shown). For example, the surfaces could be non-planar and/or irregular. Alternatively, the surfaces can have compound curves or even interlocking segments (not shown).  
         [0115]     The side surface pairs  28   a ,  29   a  and  28   b ,  29   b , respectively, are preferably somewhat perpendicular to the rear face  22  and/or the front face  20 . Side surface  28   a  is spaced from side surface  28   b  by a distance (taken along a “x” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to a block  12 ) to define the width  33  (6 to 24 inches (15 to 60 cm)) of block  12 . Additionally, each pair of side surfaces  28   a  and  29   a ,  28   b  and  29   b , include a substantially vertical groove  34  therebetween that is configured to receive a portion of a lateral support beam  16  (see, for example,  FIG. 11 ). While a pair of side grooves for each block is preferred, it is envisioned that one side surface be provided with a groove and the other side surface have a tongue configured to mate with the groove, thereby obviating the need for beams  16 . However, in order to maintain the vertically independent characteristics of columns  14 , the use of beams  16  is preferred.  
         [0116]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , another embodiment of the block of the present invention is depicted. The block  112  is generally panel-shaped and includes a front face  120 , a rear face  122 , a top surface  124 , a bottom surface  126  and pairs of side surfaces  128   a ,  129   a , and  128   b ,  129   b , respectively.  
         [0117]     The front face  120  is spaced from the rear face  122  by a predetermined distance defining the thickness or depth  130  (generally about 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10.0 cm)) of the block  112 . As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the front face  120  is formed to having a roughened or weathered surface. However, it is understood that the front face  120  could, be dressed, modified, or otherwise worked in any desired manner.  
         [0118]     Vertically oriented splitting recesses may be provided on the front face of the block to enable the block to be fashioned into predetermined shapes. Here, the splitting recesses  121  are depicted as quartering the block  112  and forming front face segments  125   a ,  125   b ,  125   c , and  125   d . However, it is understood that the splitting recesses  121  may be located and oriented elsewhere on the block  112 . That is, the splitting recesses  121  could be off center, horizontal, diagonal, etc. Moreover, it is also understood that a block splitting recesses  121  may be omitted, if desired.  
         [0119]     The front face  120  includes marginal areas  123   a ,  123   b ,  123   c , and  123   d . As may be expected, the number of marginal areas corresponds to the number of edges of the front face  120 . The marginal areas  123   a - d  may be worked or modified, if desired, to produce different visual effects. In  FIG. 7   a , the desired visual effect is for the marginal areas to simulate splitting recesses. Thus, the marginal areas  123   a - d  are formed so that when blocks  112  are positioned in contact with each other in a wall structure  10  (See  FIG. 3 , for example), the cross-sectional profiles of their marginal areas  123   a - d , when combined, simulate splitting recesses at the joints formed by the block. As depicted, the splitting recesses  121  have a cross-sectional profile that is somewhat circular, and the marginal areas  123   a - d  have cross-sectional areas that are fluted or arced. As can be appreciated, the splitting recesses and marginal areas  123   a - d  may be configured with other cross-sectional profiles, if desired. For example, a “V”-shaped cross-sectional profile.  
         [0120]     Referring again to  FIG. 7   a , the top surface  124  is spaced from the bottom surface  126  by a distance (taken along a “y” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to the block  112 ) to define the height  132  (about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm)) of the block  112 . When the blocks  112  are arranged vertically to form a column  14  (see, for example,  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), the bottom surface  126  (not shown) of any block  112  other than the bottom block of a column  14  (See  FIG. 5 ) rests on the top surface  124  of the block  112  therebelow. It is therefore preferred that the top surface  124  and the bottom surface  126  be configured to facilitate a stacking relationship between two blocks  112 . A stacking relationship is most easily achieved by making the top and bottom surfaces  124 ,  126  substantially collateral, planar and relatively perpendicular to the rear face  122  and/or the front face  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Alternatively, it is envisioned that the top surface  124  and the bottom surface  126  (see  FIG. 7   b ) may be complementarily shaped, and not perpendicular to the rear face  122  and/or the front face  120 , as long as the upper and lower blocks  112  can be stacked in a vertical relationship. For example, the surfaces  124 ,  126  (not shown) can be non-planar and/or irregular. Or, the surfaces  124 ,  126  (not shown) can have compound curves or interlocking segments (not shown).  
         [0121]     Referring to  FIG. 7   b , the side surface pairs  128   a ,  129   a  and  128   b ,  129   b , respectively, are preferably somewhat perpendicular to the rear face  122  and/or the front face  120 . The side surface  128   a  is spaced from the side surface  128   b  by a distance (taken along the “x” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to the block  112 ) to define the width  133  (6 to 24 inches (15 to 60 cm)) of the block  112 . Additionally, each pair of side surfaces  128   a ,  129   a ,  128   b  and  129   b , include a substantially vertical groove  134  located therebetween that is configured to receive a portion of a lateral support beam (see, for example, the lateral support beam depicted in  FIGS. 11 , and  23 - 36 ).  
         [0122]     The block  112  is that it is additionally provided with one or more substantially vertical apertures or through holes  150   a ,  150   b , and  150   c . As can be seen, apertures  150   a ,  150   b , and  150   c , which are in substantial alignment with the grooves  134  located on either side of the block  112 . This enables for use with support beams  270  such as those shown in (See  FIG. 12 ), to be used, if desired. The vertical apertures  150   a - c  also allow a plurality of blocks  112  to be positioned in a running bond (again using support beams  270  such as those shown in  FIG. 12 , for example). The aperture  150   b  may be provided with a slot  152 , which that provides an opening to the rear face  122 . In addition, the block  112  may now be split into smaller predetermined sizes, with each smaller block (not shown) having a set of side grooves  134 . Although not depicted, it will be understood that apertures  150   a  and  150   c  may also be provided with slots (as with aperture  150   b ), if desired.  
         [0123]     Another feature of block  112  is the provision of recesses  127   a  and  127   b  on the rear surface  122  adjacent the side surfaces  129   a  and  129   b . The recesses come into play during, and aid in, the manufacturing of the block. After a large block (not shown) is molded and split into two smaller blocks and the smaller blocks are removed from the conveyor on which they rest by a pusher bar (not shown) that impacts the rear surfaces of the blocks and moves them in a desired direction. This works if the blocks are substantially parallel to the pusher bar. However, if the blocks are not substantially parallel to the pusher bar, the bar has a tendency to chip and break the side segments. The recesses provide clearance so that if the block is somewhat askew relative to the pusher bar, the bar will not contact the side segments and thereby reducing chipping and breakage.  
         [0124]      FIG. 8  shows a preferred corner configuration using the blocks  12  of the present invention. The design of the block  12  lends itself to the formation of corners without the need for mortar, corner braces, or other supports. Two blocks  12   a  and  12   b  are simply aligned to form a corner butt joint  51 . Preferably, block  12   b  is broken along its splitting recess to form a new split face, which roughly matches split front face of block  12   a . Holes  54  are drilled through the blocks  12   a  and  12   b  so that a fastener  56  may be inserted therein. Generally, the fastener may be any suitable fastener, and preferably, an appropriately sized pin, peg, or screw, and the like. Alternatively, glue, preferably construction mastic, may be applied instead of or, more preferably, in combination with fasteners to secure the blocks to each other.  
         [0125]     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , another embodiment of a block  156  of the present invention is depicted. The block  156  is generally angularly-shaped and includes a front face  158 , a rear face  160 , a top surface  164 , a bottom surface  166  and pairs of side surfaces  168   a ,  169   a , and  168   b ,  169   b , respectively. As with the previously described blocks  112 , the side surfaces  168   a ,  169   a , and  168   b ,  169   b  are provided with grooves  170   a  and  170   b  that are configured to receive portions of lateral support beams, and will not be discussed here in detail. An alternate embodiment of the block  156 ′ is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2   a . As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , front face  158  is formed with a roughened or weathered surface or facing segments  159   a - b  and is provided with marginal areas  163   a - d . These features are not necessary to carry out the spirit of the invention, however. The front face  158  may be dressed, modified, or otherwise worked in any desired manner. The block  156  may also be provided with recesses  167   a  and  167   b , located on the rear face segments  161   a  and  161   b , adjacent the side surfaces  169   a  and  169   b . As discussed previously, the recesses  167   a - b  prevent and/or reduce chipping during the manufacturing process.  
         [0126]     As depicted, the block  156  is configured so that the front face segments  159   a  and  159   b , and the rear face segments  161   a  and  161   b  are oriented so that they intersect each other at a predetermined angle  172 . The angle of intersection  172  can vary from about 15 degrees to about 165 degrees. Preferably, though, the angle of intersection is about 90 degrees so that the block may be used to construct rectilinear structures. In that regard, it will be appreciated that the blocks  156  may be used with or without linearly shaped blocks to form columnar structures of varying shapes and sizes (see, for example  FIG. 1 ). Moreover, it is envisioned that the blocks may be formed with more than two front and rear face segments  159   a - b ,  161   a - b , and/or that the block could be formed in a generally arcuate shape.  
         [0127]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an embodiment of a beam of the present invention generally comprises an elongated spine or web and at least one rib, which is substantially coextensive therewith. More specifically, a preferred embodiment of beam  16 , as shown, includes a plurality of ribs that are arranged in a substantially coplanar and collateral relation. That is, there is a first pair of ribs  38   a , which are substantially coplanar and extend away from each other. And, there is a second pair of ribs  38   b , which are also substantially coplanar and extend away from each other. Note that the pairs of ribs  38   a  and  38   b  are in substantial collateral relation with each other and are spaced apart from each other by a distance defined by the web  36 . This configuration of two pairs of ribs  38   a  and  38   b  attached to each other by web  36  forms somewhat of an I-beam configuration. It is preferred that at least one set of ribs  38   a  be resiliently deformable and, even more preferred, that they converge slightly towards and then diverge slightly away from the other ribs  38   b  in a somewhat “V”-shaped configuration towards the ends of the ribs  38 . A “V”-shaped configuration is preferred because it allows a segment  35  of a block  12  to be gripped between the ribs  38   a - b  (see, for example,  FIGS. 23 and 24 ). As will be appreciated, in order for the desired amount of gripping force to occur, the distance or span  42  between a rib  38   b  and the apex of the “V” of an unflexed rib  38   a  should be slightly less than the thickness of segment  35  (see  FIG. 24 ). It will also be appreciated that the distance or span  43  between the leading edge of flange  40  of the unflexed rib  38   a  and the rib  38   b  should be slightly greater than the thickness of segment  35  (See, again  FIG. 24 ). Thus, when a beam  16  is attached to a block  12  the rib  38   a  is deflected from its unstressed state to a stressed state and a segment  35  of a block may be gripped between ribs  38   a  and  38   b . As depicted in  FIG. 23  the ribs  38   a  and  38   b  are preferred because they prevent unwanted movement and misalignment between blocks  12  of a given column  14  and they are able to compensate for variations in dimensions that sometimes occur during manufacture of the blocks.  
         [0128]     Beam  16  may be attached at its upper ends to a structure being skirted (see, for example,  FIG. 1 ) if desired, preferably at or near the lowermost edge or bottom of the structure, and using conventional fastening techniques and technologies. Such attachments may be used in conjunction with or without a bracket  18  to provide support and stability to the independent columns  14  (see  FIG. 5 ) by preventing them from leaning or falling forwardly or rearwardly. The beams aligns the blocks  12  of a given column), by preventing lateral movement therebetween (that is, movement along the “x” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to the blocks  12 ).  
         [0129]     Another embodiment of a lateral support beam  116  is depicted in  FIG. 11   a . Here, the beam  116  generally comprises a body having block-engaging portion and a bracket-engaging portion. More specifically, the beam  116  comprises a first web  180  and a second web  181  that are generally aligned with each other. Projecting from the webs  180 ,  181  are pairs of ribs  182   a ,  182   b , and  182   c . The first pair of ribs  182   a , which form the block-engaging portion, extend away from each other in a generally coplanar relation. The second pair of ribs  182   b  is generally collaterally aligned with the first pair of ribs  182   a  and is separated therefrom by a predetermined span  188 . The third pair of ribs  182   c  is generally collaterally aligned with the second pair of ribs  182   b  and is separated therefrom by a predetermined span  190 . The outer ends of ribs  182   a  are provided with resilient flanges  184  that are configured and arranged such that the ribs  182   a  are able to be received by the vertical grooves on the blocks. With this beam embodiment, segments of the sides of a block are not gripped between adjacent pairs of ribs. Rather, engagement with blocks is achieved through the first set of ribs  182   a  that substantially span the depth of the vertical grooves of the blocks, where depth is taken along the “z” axis in the three dimensional coordinate system (see, for example,  FIG. 7   a ). It will be appreciated that the block engaging portion, i.e., the first pair of ribs  182   a , need not be restricted to a flange configuration. A frictional engagement, for example, can be achieved with other configurations.  
         [0130]     Alternative embodiments of support beams  270 ,  287  and blocks  312  are illustrated in  FIGS. 12, 13  and  27 . With regard to the support beam  270  depicted in  FIG. 12 , support beam  270  comprises a pair of webs  272 ,  274 , which are generally parallel to each other and that terminate in opposing ribs. A third web  276  extends from the surface formed by opposing ribs in general alignment with webs  272 ,  274  and terminates in opposing ribs  278   c . The ends of opposing ribs  278   a  and  278   b  may be provided with flanges and coupling elements  280 ,  282 , respectively. As will be appreciated, two webs  272 ,  274  (versus a single web) increases the overall strength of the beam  270  so that the beam resists bending and warping more than beams that have only single webs that connect their opposing ribs.  
         [0131]     The support beam  287  of  FIG. 13  is similar to the support beam  270  of  FIG. 12 . Instead of having opposed ribs that engage a block, however, the block engagement section  288  of the beam is configured so that it is able to substantially span the depths of the grooves of two opposing blocks, or the depth of the aperture  350  in the interior section of a block  312  (see  FIG. 27 ) (where depth is taken along the “z” axis in the three dimensional coordinate system as shown in  FIG. 7   a ). As depicted, the engagement section  288  of the support beam  287  is generally “T”-shaped and substantially spans the depth of the aperture  350  (i.e. see  FIG. 27 ) where depth is taken along the “z” axis in the three dimensional coordinate system as shown in  FIG. 7   a  (see  FIG. 45 , for example), and generally spans the width of the slot  352  of a block (see,  FIG. 27 ). As shown, the engagement section  288  is hollow, however, it is understood that the engagement section  288  may be solid, if desired. The base of the “T”-shaped engagement section  288  is provided with a web  276  and a pair of opposing ribs  278   c  to enable the support beam  287  to be connected to a bracket such as those depicted in  FIGS. 44-45 . With regard to  FIG. 27 , it will be appreciated that the depiction of the support beams  270  and  287  relative to the blocks  312  are for illustrative purposes only, and that they may be interchanged if desired.  
         [0132]     A frictional engagement may be desired and this could be achieved with other configurations. For example, in  FIG. 14  the block-engaging section  288  may take the form of generally planar opposing planar sections  192  each having resilient spurs  194  projecting therefrom. Or, as seen in  FIG. 15 , the block-engaging section  288  may take the form of a preformed resilient body  196  having an aperture  198 . Note that in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the bracket-engaging portions  290  are shown in phantom.  
         [0133]     With reference to  FIG. 16 , the support beam  116  is similar to the support beam of prior embodiments in that it includes a web  510  from which a plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506  extend. In a departure from previous embodiments, the support beam  116  of this embodiment includes an extension  508  that terminates with an attachment member  512 . Preferably, the extension  508  is aligned with, and extends from the web  510  so as to position the attachment member  512  a predetermined distance from the plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506 . This arrangement serves several purposes. As explained above, not only does the extension  508  create spaces between a wall structure and a substructure that may be used as plenums, conduits, or for retaining insulative, fire-retardant or other building materials, but it also facilitates attachment of the support beam  116  to a substructure. Preferably, the attachment member  512  comprises feet  516  and  518  that extend laterally in opposite directions from the extension  508  to provide a point or points of connection which may be used with adhesive or fastening elements, such as nails or screws, in attaching a support beam to a substructure (see also,  FIG. 29 ).  
         [0134]     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the support beam  116 , again, has an extension  508 , which terminates in an attachment member  512  having feet  516 ,  518 . However, in this embodiment, the extension  508  and the feet  516 ,  518  are foreshortened. Note that the support beam  116  is not directly connected to a substructure but is operatively connected to a bracket  534  that is, in turn, operatively connected to a substructure. The bracket  534  includes a substructure engaging portion  536 , a span  538  and an attachment member with a support beam engaging portion  542 . The support beam engaging portion  542  is sized to be snuggly received and frictionally retained within a channel  530  or  532  formed by a rib and a foot  505 ,  516 ;  506 ,  518 , respectively, of the beam  116 . Note that the support beam  116  need not extend along the length of the bracket  534 , and more particularly, the support beam  116  need not be coextensive with the side of a block  112  (see  FIG. 7   a ) to which it may be operatively connected. The reason for this is that a block need not be retained along its entire length of its grooves to be adequately retained as part of a wall structure. Instead, it is only necessary for a block to retained at several points. Thus, the support beams  116  may take the form of clips that attach to the bracket  534 , and a block  112  can be retained at a plurality of predetermined locations (i.e. such as upper and lower ends). It will be appreciated that such support beam clips may be used to operatively connect a pair of blocks to a support bracket by positioning the clips so that they span the interface between two adjacent blocks. It will also be appreciated that the support beam clip may be longer than a side of a block to which it is operatively connected so that it may operatively connect more than two blocks to a bracket.  
         [0135]     The span  538  of the bracket  534  serves to position the support beam  116  a predetermined distance from a substructure while the substructure engaging portion  536  serves to attach the bracket  534  to a substructure. As with the aforementioned embodiment, the bracket  534  may be operatively connected to a substructure using a variety of fastening elements. It will be appreciated that both channels  530 ,  532  of the support beam  116  of this embodiment may be used with oppositely facing brackets, if desired, to form a more robust connection between the wall structure and a substructure.  
         [0136]     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the support beam  116  terminates at an attachment member  512  that includes two spaced apart resilient walls  550 ,  552  having confronting arms  554 ,  556 , which define a slot  558  and channel  560 , which are sized to admit and retain a second attachment member.  
         [0137]     With this embodiment, the support beam  116  is not directly connected to a substructure but is operatively connected to a bracket  562  that is, in turn, operatively connected to a substructure (see, for example,  FIG. 32 ). The bracket  562  includes substructure engaging portions  564 ,  566 , a span  538  and a first attachment member  570 . Preferably, the first attachment member  570  is a dart-shaped head  572  having shoulders  574 ,  576  that are configured to engage arms  554 ,  556  of the support beam  116  in a constrained relation. That is, the attachment member  512  of the support beam is sized to slidingly receive the head  572  within a slot  558  and a channel  560  formed by the resilient walls  550 ,  552  and their confronting arms  554 ,  556 . Thus, the support beam  116  may be connected to a bracket  562  in a constrained manner. It will be appreciated that the support beam  116  can be operatively connected to the bracket  562  in several ways. For example, by positioning the bottom of the channel  560  and the slot  558  over the top of the dart shaped head  572  and the span  568  of bracket  562  and then sliding the support beam  116  down along the bracket  562  and interconnecting with an already positioned block, or sliding the support beam down along the bracket  562  and later interconnecting with a block, which is slid into position in a similar manner. Alternatively, a support beam  116  may be operatively connected to a bracket  562  by aligning the slot  558  of the attachment member  512  opposite the apex of the dart shaped head  572  and then pushing the support beam  116  towards the dart shaped head  572  until the arms  554 ,  556  of the attachment member  512  engage the shoulders  574 ,  576  of the dart shaped head  572 .  
         [0138]     As will be appreciated, the support beam  116  of  FIG. 18  need not extend along the length of the bracket  562  and, more particularly, the support beam need not be co-extensive with the side of a block to which it is operatively connected. The span  538  of bracket  562  serves to position the support beam  116  a predetermined distance from a substructure and the substructure engaging portion  564 ,  566  serves to attach the bracket  562  onto a substructure. Bracket  562  may be operatively connected to a substructure using a variety of fastening elements  578  (see also,  FIG. 32 ).  
         [0139]     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , the operative connection is reversed from that shown in  FIG. 18 . That is, support beam  116  includes an extension that terminates in a first attachment member  570  having a head  594  with shoulders  596 ,  598 . The bracket  580  now includes two spaced-apart resilient walls  582 ,  584  having confronting arms  586 ,  588 , which define a slot  590  and a channel  592 , which are sized to admit and retain the attachment member  594  in a constrained relation, as discussed above. As with the aforementioned embodiments, the support beam  116  need not extend along the length of the bracket  580 . The bracket may be operatively connected to a substructure using a variety of fastening elements.  
         [0140]     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , another preferred embodiment depicts a post  600  which has been provided with a plurality of connectors to enable the post  600  to support a plurality of wall structures. In this embodiment, the post  600  includes front and rear surfaces  602 ,  604  and opposing sides, with a web  606  that extends from the front surface  602 , and an attachment bracket  612  that extends from the rear surface  604 . A pair of ribs  608 ,  610  extend laterally in opposite directions from the web  606  in the same manner as the ribs  38  of support beam  16  in  FIG. 11 , while the attachment bracket  612  includes a slot  614  and channel structure  616  similar to the slot  558 ,  590  and channel  560 ,  592  structures described and shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , respectively. Thus, with this embodiment, blocks may be directly connected to the post  600  at side  602  or connected indirectly at side  604  via an appropriately configured support beam (such as beam  116  of  FIG. 19 ).  
         [0141]     Although not shown, other combinations of operative connections may also be used. For example, the post  600  may be provided with two direct connectors (webs with laterally extending ribs) or the post may be provided with two indirect connectors (attachment members, such as channels). As will be appreciated, the post  600  may be operatively connected to a substructure such as a footing or foundation, or be set into the ground using known techniques and technologies. While the post  600  is depicted as having a hollow cross-section, it is understood that the post may also be a solid in cross section or may have a reinforcing structure such as a pipe or a rod received therein.  
         [0142]     With reference to  FIG. 21 , the support beam  116  is similar to the support beam of prior embodiments, in that it includes a web  510  from which a plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506  extend. The support beam  116  includes an extension  508  that terminates with an attachment member  512 . Preferably, the extension  508  is aligned with, and extends from the web  510  so as to position the attachment member  512  a predetermined distance from the plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506 . In  FIG. 21 , the attachment member  512  is depicted as feet  516  and  518 , however it is understood that the attachment member may take other forms. Note that ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506  are reversed relative to each other so that the pair of opposing ribs  505  and  506  are now forward, relative to the opposing pair of ribs  503  and  504  (similar to the rib arrangement as depicted in  FIGS. 23 and 24 ). Note also, that the pair of forwardly facing opposing ribs  505  and  506  are somewhat thicker than the pair of opposing ribs  503  and  504 . This feature allows the support beam  116  to have a viewable surface  507 , which may form part of an observed wall structure (see  FIG. 35 ).  
         [0143]     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , a partial horizontal section of the wall structure  10  of  FIG. 4  is depicted. As shown, a beam  16  operatively connects two adjacent blocks  12  of adjacent columns  14  to each other. Here, the “V”-shaped ribs  38   a  are positioned within grooves  34  of adjacent blocks  12  and ribs  38   b  are positioned against the rear faces  22  of adjacent blocks  12 . In this configuration, the beam  16  remains hidden from view and provides support along several axes (taken along the “z” and “x” directions in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to a block  12 ). With the beam  16  of this embodiment, the grooves  34  may be considerably larger than the thickness of the ribs  38   a , without affecting the gripping ability of the beam  16 . Thus, there may be quite a large space in front of the ribs  38   a . Note that the distance between side surfaces  29   a  and  29   b  of block  12  is less than the distance between side surfaces  28   a  and  28   b  of block  12  to allow the side surfaces  28   a ,  28   b  of adjacent blocks  12  to be brought into intimate contact with each other while providing enough space to accommodate the web  36  of the beam  16  (see  FIGS. 24 and 24   a ). Note that a bracket  18  is shown (in dashed lines) as it would be positioned relative to an uppermost block  12  of a column  14 .  
         [0144]      FIGS. 23 and 24  show a preferred beam arrangement in which the beam  16  shown in  FIGS. 11 and 22  is reversed with respect to blocks  12  to which the beam is connected. That is, the ribs  38   b  are positioned within opposing grooves  34  and ribs  38   a  are positioned against the rear faces  22  of blocks  12 . This arrangement does not significantly change the function and gripping ability of the beam  16  as discussed above.  
         [0145]     As with to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 22 , the distance between side surfaces  29   a  and  29   b  of the blocks is less than the distance between side surfaces  28   a  and  28   b  to allow side surfaces  28   a ,  28   b  of adjacent blocks  12  to be brought into intimate contact with each other while providing enough space to accommodate the web  36  of the beam  16 . Note that when two adjacent blocks  12  are brought into contact with each other, their corresponding margins  23   a  and  23   b  combine to form a profile that is substantially the same as the profile of a splitting recess  21  (as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 24 ). It will be appreciated that the splitting recess  21  and may have other profiles, such as a “V”-shape and that the corresponding margins would be more beveled or chamfered.  
         [0146]     Referring now to  FIGS. 23, 23   a ,  24  and  24   a , operatively connecting blocks together to form a wall structure  10  begins with connecting a block  12  to a beam  16 . As depicted in  FIGS. 23   a  and  24   a , the leading edge of flange  40  allows the rib  38   a  to be displaced as it encounters the block segment  35 . As the beam  16  is connected to the block  12 , block segment  35  is gripped by ribs  38   a  and  38   b.    
         [0147]     In a preferred method to operatively connect a wall to a structure using the aforementioned bracket, a person would prepare or otherwise select an appropriate location in which to construct a wall. The construction would begin by placing a first block having opposing side grooves in a desired position and orientation. Then, a second, similar block would be placed directly on top of the first block so that the opposing side grooves of the first and second blocks are in vertical alignment with each other and the first and second blocks form a column. Next, the first and second blocks would be operatively connected to each other along one of their respective sides by inserting a rib of first support beam into the aligned grooves and seating it securely.  
         [0148]     Next, a bracket is positioned so that its wall engaging portion is collaterally aligned and in contact with the support beam such that it extends therewith along the groove in the block. The structure engaging portion of the bracket is then brought into position for attachment to a structure by sliding or otherwise manipulating the bracket in a direction towards the point of attachment on the structure (this is generally above and co-planar with the wall). The bracket is than attached to the structure using conventional techniques and technologies. The rib of a second support beam is then inserted into the aligned grooves of the opposite sides of the blocks, and a second bracket is used to operatively connect this portion of the wall to a structure using the aforementioned steps.  
         [0149]     A second column comprising similarly configured third and a fourth blocks may now be constructed. The operation is much the same, except now the third block is positioned so that one of its sides is adjacent to one of the sides of the first block and its groove engages at least one other rib of one of the already positioned support beams. The fourth block is then positioned on top of the third block in a similar manner. That is, the fourth block is positioned so that one of its sides is adjacent to one of the sides of the second block and its groove engages at least one other rib of one of the already positioned support beam and the wall engaging portion of the already installed bracket.  
         [0150]     After the second column is erected, the third and fourth blocks would be operatively connected to each other along their respective free side by inserting at least one rib of a third support beam into their aligned vertical groove of the respective sides of the first and second blocks and seating them securely, and that support beam would be operatively connected to a support by yet another bracket. And so on. It will be appreciated that other methods of constructing a wall structure using the aforementioned components are possible.  
         [0151]      FIG. 25  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a beam  16  having two ribs  38   a ,  38   b  but only one resiliently deformable rib  38   a .  FIG. 26  shows yet another embodiment of a beam  16  comprising one pair of opposed ribs  38   b  such that the support beam  16  is essentially an elongate spline. It should be understood that for purposes of clarity, the ribs  38   b  as depicted in  FIGS. 25 and 26  are substantially thinner than the grooves  34  in which they are positioned, and that in actuality ribs  38   a - b  and grooves  34  would be configured to effectively maintain blocks  12  in a coplanar relation with little or no play.  
         [0152]     Alternative embodiments of support beams and blocks are shown in  FIG. 27 . As depicted in  FIG. 27 , a support beam  270  may be operatively connected to one or more blocks  312 , at grooves  334   a  and  334   b . Note that the blocks  312  include a front face  320 , a rear face  322 , a top surface  324 , a bottom surface (not shown), and side surfaces  328   a  and  329   a , and  328   b  and  329   b . The blocks  312  also include marginal areas  323  and notches  327 , which will not be discussed here in detail. As can be seen, the side surfaces  329   a  and  329   b  are foreshortened to accommodate the increased width of the support beam  270 . The support beam  270  may be operatively connected to a block  312  when the ribs  278   a  and  278   b  grip side segments  335   a ,  335   b . The support beam  287  can be operatively connected to a block  312  by sliding a block engagement section  288  into the aperture  350 .  
         [0153]     Another embodiment of a lateral support beam is depicted in  FIG. 28 . Here, the beam  116  generally comprises a body having block-engaging portion and a bracket-engaging portion. More specifically, the beam  116  comprises a first web  180  and a second web  181  that are generally aligned with each other. Projecting from the webs  180 ,  181  are pairs of ribs  182   a ,  182   b , and  182   c . The first pair of ribs  182   a  form block-engaging portions, which extend away from each other in a generally coplanar relation. The second pair of ribs  182   b  is generally collaterally aligned with the first pair of ribs  182   a  and is separated therefrom by a predetermined span  188 . The third pair of ribs  182   c  is generally collaterally aligned with the second pair of ribs  182   b  and is separated therefrom by a predetermined span  190 . The outer ends of ribs  182   a  are provided with resilient flanges  184  that are configured and arranged such that the ribs  182   a  are able to be received by the vertical grooves on the blocks of the present invention. With this embodiment, segments of the sides of a blocks re not gripped between adjacent pairs of ribs.  
         [0154]     Now referring to  FIG. 29 , a support beam  116 , similar to the support beam of prior embodiments, includes a web  500  from which a plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506  extend. The support beam  116  of this embodiment includes an extension  508  that terminates with an attachment member  512 . Preferably, the extension  508  is aligned with, and extends from the web  500  so as to position the attachment member  512  a predetermined distance from the plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505 , and  506 . The extension  508  not only creates spaces between a wall structure and a substructure that may be used as plenums, conduits, or for retaining insulative, fire-retardant or other building materials, and also facilitates attachment of the support beam  116  to a substructure “S” (partially shown). Preferably, the attachment member  512  comprises feet  516 ,  518  that extend laterally in opposite directions from the extension  508  to provide a point or points of connection which may be used with adhesive or mechanical fastening elements, such as nails or screws  522 , in attaching a support beam to a substructure “S”.  
         [0155]      FIG. 30  illustrates a partially assembled wall structure  410  comprising a plurality of blocks  412  retained in place by a plurality of vertically oriented, elongated support beams  416  that are operatively connected to a substructure “S” (shown in dashed lines). The support beams  416  allow the blocks  412  of adjacent horizontal courses to be substantially superposed one above the other and not laterally offset from each other in a bond pattern, as one may expect of such a wall structure. Thus, the wall structure  410  is comprised of a plurality of adjacent columns  414   a - d  that may be operatively connected to each other in a serial fashion. Each block  412  of the wall structure  410  includes a front face  420 , a rear face  422 , a top surface  424 , a bottom surface  426  and opposing sides  427   a ,  427   b . Each opposing side  427   a ,  427   b  includes opposing grooves  434 ,  436  defined by plurality of outwardly extending fingers  428   a ,  428   c  and  428   b ,  428   d , with outwardly facing surfaces  430   a ,  430   c  and  430   b ,  430   d.    
         [0156]     Preferably, the blocks  412  are symmetrically formed, so that either the front or rear face  420 ,  422 , respectively, may face forwardly. This feature allows a block which has been damaged or had its surface otherwise altered to be easily removed and reinstalled by merely turning the block around (or over) so that other good or undamaged sides now being the viewable surface of the block. In other words, the blocks are reversible. The front and rear faces need not have the same surface treatment. That is, a block  412  may have a smooth front face and a roughened rear face  422 . Or, a block  412  may have roughened front face and a decorated or non-planar rear face. For example, in  FIG. 30 , the lower most blocks  412  of column  414   c  and column  414   d , respectively, have forwardly facing rear faces  422  while the remaining blocks in the partially assembled wall structure  410  have forwardly facing front faces. As depicted, the viewable front faces  420  of the blocks  412  of the wall structure  410  are smooth and the viewable rear faces  422  of the blocks of the wall structure  410  are roughened or otherwise decorated. Note that the leftmost beam  416  may be used to form the base and a cap of a horizontally oriented wall structure.  
         [0157]     Referring now to  FIG. 31 , a support beam  116 , has an extension  508 , which terminates in an attachment member  512 —with feet  516 ,  518 . However, in this embodiment the extension  508  and the feet  516 ,  518  are foreshortened. Note that, the support beam  116  is not directly connected to a substructure “S” but is operatively connected to a bracket  534  that is, in turn, operatively connected to a substructure “S” (shown in dashed lines). The bracket  534  includes a substructure engaging portion  536 , a span  538  and an attachment member with a support beam engaging portion  542 . The support beam engagement portion  542  is sized to be snuggly received and frictionally retained within a channel  530  or  532  formed by a rib and a foot ( 505 ,  516 ;  506 ,  518 , respectively) of the beam  116 . Note that the support beam  116  need not extend along the length of the bracket  534 , and more particularly the support beam need not be coextensive with the side of a block to which it is operatively connected. The reason for this is that a block  112  need not be retained along its entire length of its grooves to be adequately retained as part of a wall structure. Instead, it is only necessary for a block to retained at several points. Thus, the support beams  116  may take the form of clips that attach to the bracket  534 , and a block  112  may be retained at a plurality of predetermined locations such as its upper and lower ends. It will be appreciated that such support beam clips may be used to operatively connect a pair of blocks to a support bracket  534  by positioning the clips so that they span the interface between two adjacent blocks. It will also be appreciated that the support beam clip may be longer than a side of a block to which it is operatively connected so that it may operatively connect more than two blocks to a bracket.  
         [0158]     The span  538  of the bracket  534  serves to position the support beam  116  a predetermined distance from a substructure “S” while the substructure engaging portion  536  serves to attach the bracket  534  onto a substructure “S”. As with the aforementioned embodiment, the bracket  534  may be operatively connected to a substructure “S” using a variety of fastening elements. It will be appreciated that the support beam  116  of this embodiment may be used with oppositely facing brackets, if desired, to form a more robust connection between the wall structure and a substructure “S”.  
         [0159]     Referring now to  FIGS. 32 and 18 , the support beam  116  does not have an extension. Rather, as best shown in  FIG. 18 , the beam  116  terminates at a first attachment member  512  that includes two spaced apart resilient walls  550 ,  552  having confronting arms  554 ,  556 , which define a slot  558  and channel  560  that are sized to admit and retain a second attachment member  570 .  
         [0160]     With this embodiment, the support beam  116  is not directly connected to a substructure “S” but is operatively connected to a bracket  562  that is, in turn, operatively connected to a substructure “S” (shown in dashed lines). The bracket  562  includes substructure engaging portions  564 ,  566 , a span  538  and an attachment member  570 . As best shown in  FIG. 18 , the attachment member  570  is dart-shaped head  572  having shoulders  574 ,  576 , which are configured to engage confronting arms  554 ,  556  in a constrained relation. That is, the attachment member  570  of the support beam is sized to slidingly receive the dart shaped head  572  within a slot  558  and channel  560  formed by the resilient walls  550 ,  552  and their confronting arms  554 ,  556 . Thus, the support beam  116  may be connected to the bracket  562  in a constrained manner. It will be appreciated that the support beam  116  may be operatively connected to a bracket  562  in several ways. For example, by positioning the bottom of the channel  560  and the slot  558  over the dart shaped head  572  of the bracket  562 , the support beam  116  may be slid down along the bracket  562  to interconnect with an already positioned block  112 . Alternatively, the beam  116  may be slid down along the bracket  562  and later interconnecting with a block  112 , which is slid into position in a similar manner. Alternatively, a support beam  116  may be operatively connected to a bracket  562  by aligning the slot  558  of the attachment member  512  opposite the apex of the dart shaped head  572  and then pushing the support beam  116  towards the dart shaped head  572  until the confronting arms  554 ,  556  of the attachment member  512  engage the shoulders  574 ,  576  of the dart shaped head  572 .  
         [0161]     The support beam  116  need not extend along the length of the bracket  562 , and, more particularly, the support beam need not be co-extensive with the side of a block to which it is operatively connected. The reasons for this have been discussed in conjunction with the description of  FIG. 31 , and for purposes of brevity will not be repeated. The span  538  of the bracket  562  serves to position the support beam  116  a predetermined distance from a substructure “S” and the substructure engaging portion  564 ,  566  serves to attach the bracket  562  to a substructure “S”.  
         [0162]     Referring now to  FIGS. 33 and 19 , the operative connection is reversed from  FIG. 32 . That is, the support beam  116  includes an extension  508  that terminates in an attachment member  570  having a dart-shaped head  594  with shoulders  596 ,  598 . The bracket  580  includes two spaced-apart resilient walls  582 ,  584  having confronting arms  586 ,  588 , which define a slot  590  and channel  592  that are sized to admit and retain the dart-shaped attachment member  594  in a constrained relation, as discussed above. As with the aforementioned embodiments, the support beam  116  need not extend along the length of the bracket  562 , and the bracket  562  may be operatively connected to a substructure “S” using a variety of fastening elements.  
         [0163]     With reference to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , support beam  116  depicted is similar to the support beam of prior embodiments in that it includes a web  510  from which a plurality of ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506  extend. In a departure from this previous embodiment, the support beam  116  includes an extension  500  that terminates with an attachment member  512 . Preferably, the extension  500  is aligned with, and extends from the web  510  so as to position the attachment member  512  is a predetermined distance from the plurality of ribs. Note that the ribs  503 ,  504 ,  505  and  506  are reversed relative to each other so that the pair of opposing ribs  505  and  506  are now forward relative to the opposing pair of ribs  503  and  504 . In  FIG. 34 , the attachment member  512  is depicted as having feet  516  and  518 , however it is understood that the attachment member may take other forms such as those depicted in  FIGS. 18-20 . Note also, that the pair of forwardly facing opposing ribs  505 ,  506  are somewhat thicker than the pair of opposing ribs  503 ,  504 . This feature allows the support beam  116  to have a viewable surface  507 , which may form part of an observed wall. As depicted in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , ribs  505  and  506  may be coplanar or collateral relative to the viewable faces  320 ,  322  of blocks in a wall structure.  
         [0164]     Referring again to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , the blocks  312  that are used with the aforementioned beam  116  are similar to the blocks  112  depicted in the wall construction  110  of  FIG. 30 . That is, each block  312  has a front face  320 , a rear face  322 , a top surface, a bottom surface and opposing sides.  
         [0165]     Each block  312  differs from the block  112  depicted in  FIG. 30  in several respects. First, block  312  has only one pair of opposing fingers  328   a ′,  328   b ′ instead of the pair of opposing fingers depicted in  FIG. 33 . Thus, each block  312  does not have a groove that obscures a support beam rib. Instead of a groove, each block  312  has opposing ledges  334 ,  336  defined by pairs of side surfaces  330   a ,  330   b ,  330   c ,  330   d  and fingers  328   a ′,  328   b ′, respectively. Preferably, the thickness of the ledges  336 ,  338  will be substantially the same as the thickness of opposing ribs  505 ,  506  to enable the viewable surface of a wall structure to be substantially contiguous. However, it is understood that the thicknesses of the ledges  336 ,  338  and/or opposing ribs  505 ,  506  need not be substantially the same. For example, the thickness of the ribs  505 ,  506  may be greater than the thickness of the ledges  336 ,  338  of the blocks so that the viewable surface  507  of a support beam projects outwardly with respect to the viewable surface of the blocks of the wall structure (as in  FIG. 35 ), or the thickness of the ribs  505 ,  506  may be less than the thickness of the ledges  336 ,  338  of the blocks so that the viewable surface  507  of the support beam is recessed with respect to the viewable surface.  
         [0166]     Another difference between block  312  and block  112  is that the opposing laterally extending, aligned fingers  328   a ′,  328   b ′ are offset from the center plane of the block  312 . As seen in  FIGS. 34 and 35  this allows blocks to be operatively connected to a support beam in several configurations. In  FIG. 34 , for example, blocks  312  are operatively connected to a support beam so that front face  320  (left side) and rear face  322  (right side) are substantially flush with the viewable surface  507  of the support beam  116 . As with the aforementioned blocks of  FIG. 30 , the front and rear faces may have the same surface or different surfaces. Here, the front face  320  on the left side of  FIG. 34  is depicted as being smooth, while the rear face  322  on the left side of  FIG. 34  is depicted as being roughened. The viewable surfaces on the right side of  FIG. 34  are reversed. In  FIG. 35 , the blocks  312  have been rotated so that when they are operatively connected to the support beam  116  they are set back from the viewable surface  507 . It will be appreciated that the blocks  312  need not be all coplanar or set back with respect to the viewable surface  507  of the support beam  116 . Combinations of setback blocks and coplanar blocks are possible to create a myriad of wall surfaces. It is contemplated that such combinations may be arranged into identifiable forms or patterns and may also be arranged to display alphanumeric characters and the like. Note that the viewable surface  507  may be provided with a textured or otherwise decorated surface, which matches the surfaces of adjacent blocks. Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 34 , the forward facing surface of the support beam can be provided with a cap or strip  145  of material with a viewable surface  147 , which may be textured or otherwise decorated as desired and which may be affixed or attached to the viewable surface  147  in a conventional manner.  
         [0167]     Referring now to  FIG. 36 , another preferred embodiment depicts a post  600 , which has been provided with a plurality of connectors to enable the post to support a plurality of wall structures. In this embodiment, the post  600  includes opposing sides  602 ,  604  from which extend a web  606  and a bracket  612 , respectively. A pair of ribs  608 ,  610  extend laterally in opposite directions from the web  606 , while the bracket  612  includes the slot  614  and channel structure  616  similar to the slot and channel structures described and shown in  FIG. 18 , respectively. Thus, with this embodiment, blocks may be directly connected to the post  600  at side  602  or connected indirectly at side  604  via an appropriately configured support beam.  
         [0168]     Other combinations of operative connections may also be used. For example, the post  600  may be provided with two direct connectors (webs with laterally extending ribs) or the post may be provided with two indirect connectors (attachment members, such as channels). As will be appreciated, the post  600  may be operatively connected to a substructure such as a footing or foundation, or be set into the ground using known techniques and technologies. While the post  600  is depicted as having a hollow cross-section, it is understood that the post may also be a solid in cross-section or may have a reinforcing structure such as a pipe or a rod received therein (see, for example,  FIG. 39 ).  
         [0169]      FIGS. 37-37   b  illustrate additional embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 37  shows a support beam  16  having a pair of leg structures  654  that are constructed and arranged to secure a wall comprising columns  14  of blocks  12  to an existing support structure  658 . The support structure  658  may be a building or any other type of structure that may support a wall structure  10  according to the present invention. Legs or leg portions  656  of the leg structures  654  extend rearwardly from the support beam  16  and are preferably secured to ribs  38   b  thereof. The leg structures  654  may also be formed as part of the web  36  of the support beam  16 . The leg portions  656  have a foot  660 , which extends laterally therefrom to provide a point of connection for the support beam  16  to the existing support structure  658 . Nails, screws, or other appropriate fasteners  662  may be driven through the feet  660  of the support beam  16  and into the sheathing  664  of the typical wall of the wall of the existing structure  658 . The sheathing  664  is typically supported by a plurality of horizontal girts  666 . Once the support beam  16  has been secured to the existing structure  658 , blocks  12  are stacked between respective support beams  16  as illustrated in  FIG. 37  such that ribs  38   a  of the support beam  16  reside in grooves  34  in the sides of the blocks  12 .  
         [0170]     In order to prevent the inflow of water into the wall structure  10 , it may be desirable to apply a bead of a waterproof material  670 , such as mastic or caulk, along the horizontal surfaces of the blocks  12 . The bead of waterproof material  670  forms a seal between the upper surface  24  of the lower block  12  upon which the waterproof material  670  has been applied and the lower surface  26  of the block  12  immediately above the lower block  12 . It will be appreciated that mastic or caulk may also be applied to the vertical side surfaces of the blocks (not shown).  
         [0171]     Legs or leg portions  656  of support beam  16  preferably extend rearwardly from the ribs  38   b  in a perpendicular relationship thereto. Similarly, it is preferred that the feet  660  of the support beam  16  extend laterally perpendicular to the leg portions  656 . The perpendicular relationship of the feet and legs to the remainder of the support beam  16  is the preferred embodiment thereof since the purpose of the leg portions  656  and the feet  660  to provide an offset for the wall structure from the existing structure  658 . This offset allows a wall structure  10  to be secured over uneven surfaces such as corrugated steel siding  668 , as illustrated in  FIG. 37 . As can be seen, legs or leg portions  656  of support beam  16  are sufficiently long such that the support beam  16  clears ridge  673  of the steel siding  668 . As can be appreciated, steel siding  668  typically presents a plurality of vertically flat attachment surfaces. Where a wall structure  10  is to be applied to a wall of an existing structure  658  that is not vertically smooth, furring strips or blocking may be fastened to the wall of exterior of the existing structure  658  as needed. As support beams  16  provide no vertical support for the blocks  12 , the blocks must be provided with some sort of foundation. Examples of suitable foundation include, but are not limited to, a concrete pad or footing that is sunk into the ground, and a cantilever ledge or bracket which is securely affixed to the wall of the existing structure.  
         [0172]      FIG. 37   a  illustrates a support beam  16  having two pairs of ribs  38   a  and  38   b  separated by a web  36  and only a single leg structure  654  comprising a leg portion  656  and a foot  660 . The embodiment of  FIG. 37   a  is particularly useful when an obstruction, such as ridge  673  of steel siding  668  would prevent one of the leg structures  654  illustrated in  FIG. 37  from securely contacting the wall of the structure  658 . Fasteners  662  are sufficient to provide the requisite lateral support for the wall structure  10 . The support beam  16  having only a single leg structure  654  may be rotated end-for-end depending on the offset location of an obstruction such as ridge  673 .  
         [0173]     Preferably, the support beams of the present invention will be extruded or molded from a material such as a plastic, a fiber reinforced resin, or a metal such as aluminum. In addition to forming embodiments of support beams  16  having the respective profiles of the support beams illustrated in  FIG. 37   a , it is possible that one leg structure  654  could be removed from a support beam  16  such as the support beam  16  of  FIG. 37  having two leg structures  654 , thereby resulting in the support beam  16  embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 37   a . However, where a single leg structure  654  would be sufficient to provide the needed lateral support for a wall structure  10 , it would be more economical to manufacture support  16  having only a single leg structure  654 . As used herein, the term “forward” means away from the center of the elevated structure (and along the “z” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to a block) and the term “rearward” means toward the center of the elevated structure (also along the “z” direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system relative to a block).  
         [0174]      FIG. 37   b  illustrates a support beam  16  that is constructed and arranged to provide lateral support to a wall structure  10  as described in conjunction with  FIGS. 37 and 37   a . The main difference here being that the support beam  16  of  FIG. 37   b  has a pair of ribs  38   a  and only a single rib  38   b  extending from the web  36 . A leg structure  654  extends rearwardly from the rib  38   b  preferably in a perpendicular relation thereto. While it is preferred that the leg or leg portion  656  and foot  660  be arranged at right angles to each other and to the ribs  38   b  of the support beam  16 , these structures may be arranged at any angle to one another provided, of course, that there is a sufficient offset from the wall of the existing structure  658  to allow installation of the blocks  12  of the wall structure  10  and that the foot  660  of leg structure  654  may be securely fastened to an supporting structure  658 .  
         [0175]      FIG. 38  illustrates a double-ended support beam  80   b , which is useful for constructing a dual wall structure  10  having a front face  74  and a rear face  76 . The space between the front and rear faces  74 ,  76  of the wall structure  10  may remain hollow or may be filled. Each end of the double-ended support beam  80   b  comprises a support beam or block engagement structure having a cross-sectional profile similar to the support beam illustrated in  FIG. 11  arranged back-to-back in a spaced apart relation and connected by a spacer web  82   b . Spacer web  82   b  is connected to the base pair of ribs  38   b  of each of the support beam portions in a perpendicular fashion. In this manner, support beam  80   b  couples dual walls of the wall structure  10  to provide mutual lateral support. Further support can be had by backfilling the space between the front and rear sides of the dual wall structure  10  with gravel, earth, sand, concrete or insulative material  79 . Preferably, it will be appreciated that a cap  81 , such may be placed over the top of the dual wall structure  10  to prevent the ingress of water, debris, or nuisance animals. It will also be appreciated that such a cap  81  may be secured to the dual wall structure by known technologies and techniques, if desired. See, for example, the use of adhesive material depicted in  FIG. 37 .  
         [0176]      FIG. 39  illustrates a single-sided wall structure  10  comprising columns  14  of blocks  12  supported by a post-like support beam  84 . Support beam  84  comprises a post  85  having extending therefrom a web  36 . A pair of ribs  38   a  extend laterally from the web  36  in the same manner as the ribs  38   a  of support beams  16  described in conjunction with  FIG. 11 . As installed, post  85  is preferably rigidly seated in a footing or foundation set into the ground below the wall structure  10 . As can be appreciated, blocks  12  are stacked between respective post support beams  84  as described above. The post  85  preferably has a hollow cross-section. However, post  85  may also be solid in cross-section or be provided with a reinforcing structure such as a pipe or a rod received therein. An alternate embodiment for the post or support beam  84  involves securely seating a plurality of rods or members in footings or a foundation beneath the wall structure  10  and sliding the post or beam  84  of the type illustrated in  FIG. 39  thereover. Blocks  12  would then disposed between respective pairs of post support beams  84  as described above.  
         [0177]     Now turning to  FIG. 40 , a wall structure  10  is depicted as it may be used in conjunction with an elevated structure “S.” As with the wall structure generally depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 22 , this wall structure  10  is comprised of a plurality of blocks  12  arranged in columns  14 , having the columns  14  held in place by vertically oriented, lateral support beams  16 , and with each beam  16  operably connecting adjacent columns  14  together. The brackets  19  used in this embodiment, however, differ from the “U”-shaped brackets  18  of the previously described embodiment in several respects. First, the brackets  19  are shaped differently than the bracket  18  of  FIGS. 4 and 22 . Instead of having an inverted “U”-shaped configuration as with bracket  18 , the bracket  19  of this embodiment has a single, downwardly extending portion. Another difference is that rather than positioning a portion of a block  12  within an opening  50  defined by a pair of walls  44 ,  46 , the bracket  19  of the embodiment has a wall engaging portion  62  that extends downwardly into vertical grooves  34  at the sides of blocks  12 . Another difference between brackets  18  and  19  is that bracket  18  connects to a column  14  in a generally central location, whereas the brackets  19  of this embodiment connect at the sides of column  14 . As with the previously described brackets  18 , brackets  19  help to stabilize and prevent the wall structure  10  from tipping rearwardly or forwardly. The brackets  19  also prevent the structure from shifting from side to side.  
         [0178]     For purposes of illustration, the size of the wall structure  10  of this embodiment has been limited three columns  14  and four courses, with the two uppermost blocks of the left column  14  removed to reveal the juxtaposition between the brackets  19 , beams  16  and blocks  12 . Note that the wall structure  10  depicted in this embodiment also includes a plurality of footings or support pads  80   a  that are positioned beneath the columns  14  at the junction where they connect to the beams  16 . Preferably, each footing or support pad  80   a  may be provided with a setting channel  82   a  that is configured and arranged to receive the bottom edges of one or more columns of blocks in a constrained relation. Note that the footing or support pad  80   a  for the middle and right columns  14  has been removed and replaced with an “L”-shaped support base or angle iron (see, for example, the support base in  FIGS. 3 and 53 ) that spans the bottom of the middle and right columns  14 . This construction can be used when the use of individual, regularly spaced footings  80   a  is not possible or desirable. Also note that the wall structure  10  is depicted as having a running bond on its three lowermost courses. As can be seen, the bottom and third courses of blocks do not have splitting recesses. They do, however, have their perimeter marginal areas  23   a - d  worked. The second course of blocks, on the other hand, have splitting recesses  21  and have only their horizontal marginal areas worked. Thus, each column  14  will have blocks with alternating front faces. When the columns of blocks are positioned adjacent each other in the normal assembly procedure some of the blocks  12  will form tight joints  31  and some of the blocks will form joints that appear substantially thicker. Thus, from a distance, the wall structure  10  will give the impression that it was constructed of blocks and mortar in a conventional manner. It will be appreciated that the externally viewable surface of the wall structure depicted in  FIG. 40  is merely one example of an externally viewable surface, and that many other externally viewable surfaces are possible.  
         [0179]     Turning now to  FIGS. 41-43 , a preferred embodiment of bracket  19  depicted in  FIG. 40  will now be discussed. As can be seen in  FIGS. 41 and 42 , the bracket  19  comprises a structure engaging portion  60  and a wall engaging portion  62 . The wall engaging portion  62  of the bracket  19  includes opposing surfaces  64 ,  66 , which are arranged and configured to contact a portion of a beam  16  and a portion of a block, respectively. If desired, the wall engaging portion  62  may be provided with strengthening creases  67 . As will be appreciated, the wall engaging portion  62  of the bracket  19  has a width  77  and a length  78  whose dimensions correspond to the particular blocks that are being used to construct a wall, and will be discussed only in general terms. Thus, the width  77  may range from a distance roughly equivalent to the depth of a single groove  34  in one block, to a distance roughly equivalent to the depth of two grooves  34  of opposing blocks. The width may also be roughly equivalent to the width of the web  36  of the beam  16  so that the wall engaging portion of the bracket may be oriented transversely to the wall structure. The length  78  may also vary depending upon the requirements of the wall structure (not shown). A typical width and length for a wall engaging portion  62  may be on the order of about two inches by about four inches, and a typical width and length for a structure engaging portion  60  may be on the order of about two inches by about one-and-a-half inches. It will be appreciated that the bracket  19  may be formed from material that may be modified or otherwise altered to fit a particular application. Thus, for example, the width and/or length of the wall engaging portion may be cut-to-length length or otherwise tailored at a jobsite without appreciably delaying or hindering construction.  
         [0180]     The structure engaging portion  60  of the bracket  19  also includes opposing surfaces  68 ,  70 . However, in this embodiment, only opposing surface  68  is configured to contact a portion of a structure (See,  FIGS. 40 and 42 ). As depicted, the structure engaging portion  60  is attached to a lower surface of a structure “S” by an upwardly extending fastener or fastening element  73 . It is understood, however, that the attachment surface of the structure can be an upper surface, in which case the opposing surface  70  would contact the surface of the structure “S” and the fastener would extend downwardly from surface  68  (shown in dashed lines). As shown in  FIG. 42 , the structure engaging portion  60  and the wall engaging portion  62  are planar and substantially orthogonal with respect to each other. It is understood, however, that the wall engaging portion  62  and the structure engaging portion  60  need not be orthogonal to each other. They may be linearly aligned, for example. It is also envisioned that the wall and structure engaging portions may be formed in other configurations. For instance, either portion  60 ,  62  may be formed with U-shaped profiles that enable the portions  60 ,  62  to straddle sections of the structure and/or wall. That is the structure engaging portion may be formed so that it may straddle the bottom and side edges of a structure and the wall engaging portion may be formed to engage a wall structure at its front and/or rear surfaces. The structure engaging portion  60  is provided with an aperture  72  that may be used with a conventional fastener  73 . For purposes of this application, the term “fastening element” or “fastener” may include mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails, bolts, rivets, or their equivalents, and/or adhesives, weldments, or the like. Alternatively, the structure engaging portion  60  may be provided with an integral fastening element so that the portion  60  may be driven into or otherwise attached to a support.  
         [0181]     Another embodiment of a bracket is depicted in  FIGS. 44 and 45 . As can be seen, the bracket  200  generally comprises a structure engaging portion  202  and a support beam engaging portion  203 . More specifically, the structure engaging portion  202  comprises a first member  204  and a second member  206 , which are angled with respect to each other to form a generally “L”-shaped form. The first and second members may be provided with apertures  208  that permit attachment to a structure with fastening elements such as nail and threaded fasteners. It will be appreciated, though, that attachment may also be achieved with suitable adhesives used in lieu of or in addition to fastening elements. The support beam engaging portion  203  comprises a web  210  and a pair of legs  212 ,  214 , which are angled with respect to the web  210  to form a generally “L”-shaped form. The web  210  includes an aperture  220  that is accessible through a slot  222  defined by edges  216  and  218  of legs  212  and  214 , respectively. The aperture  220  and slot  222  are configured to slidingly receive a pair of ribs and a portion of a web of a support beam. As depicted in  FIGS. 44 , and  45 , when a support beam is attached to the bracket, the support beam is able to move in a constrained manner relative thereto. This feature allows, the bracket to be attached at different points along a structure as well as different points along a beam. Moreover, it allows a wall construction to be self-adjusting. An application of bracket  200 , a support beam  116 , and a plurality of brackets  112  as can be seen in  FIG. 53 .  
         [0182]     Another embodiment of a bracket is depicted in  FIGS. 46 and 47 . The bracket  230  of this embodiment comprises a structure engaging portion  232 , a connecting web  234 , and a support beam engaging portion  235  that comprises a rib  236  and a coupling element  238 . The bracket  230  is configured and arranged to operatively connect a support beam (such as the support beams depicted in  FIGS. 11   a ,  28 ,  44 , and  45 ) to a support. As with the previously described bracket embodiment ( 200 ), the structure engaging portion  232  may be provided with apertures  240  that permit the bracket to be attached to a structure with conventional fastening elements. Alternatively, the bracket may be attached to a support using other known technologies and techniques. When the bracket  230  is used to operatively connect a beam to a support, the coupling element  238  of the beam engaging portion  235  is slidingly retained between one of the coupling elements  186  and one of the pairs of ribs  182   a . Thus configured, a support beam is able to move in a constrained or sliding manner relative thereto. This feature allows the bracket to be attached at different points along a structure as well as along different points along a beam. The bracket also permits a wall structure to be self-adjusting.  
         [0183]     Referring now to  FIGS. 48 and 49 , an alternative embodiment of an attachment bracket  90  is depicted. Here, the bracket  90  is similar to earlier discussed bracket  18  (see  FIGS. 4 and 22 ) in that it has opposing walls  92 ,  94  that are connected to each other by a top wall or span  96 , and which retain a portion of a block in a constrained relation. However, in this embodiment, the shorter of the two walls  94  is provided with an arm  98  that is movably attached thereto by a connector  100 , such as a rivet. As depicted in  FIG. 48 , the arm  98  is in a first position where it extends towards a block (not shown). In this position, the bracket  90  resembles bracket  18  (see  FIG. 4 ) and may be attached at or near the underside of a structure in the usual manner, via the span  96 .  
         [0184]     In situations where it is not possible to easily attach the bracket  90  to the underside of a structure, a user of the bracket  90  need only rotate the arm  98  to a second position so that it extends away from a block (not shown) as depicted in  FIG. 49 . In this position, the bracket may be attached to a vertical surface via the arm by a conventional fastener, such as a nail or screw, which extends through an aperture  102 . Alternatively, the bracket may be secured to a vertical surface by a suitable adhesive. As will be appreciated, the bracket  90  may be oriented so that either one of the walls  92 ,  94  may be in confronting relation with the front or rear face of a block.  
         [0185]      FIGS. 50-52  illustrate brackets and beams as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a  as they may be used in conjunction with blocks to form alternative structures. Starting with  FIG. 50 , bracket  354  is depicted. The bracket  354  is similar to previously described bracket  200  shown in  FIGS. 44 and 45  in that it generally comprises a structure engaging portion and a support beam engaging portion. However, there are differences. Instead of having a structure engaging portion that comprises a first member and a second member, structure engaging portion  356  of bracket  354  comprises a single or first member  357 . As depicted, the first member  357  is provided with an aperture  360  that facilitates attachment to a structure with fastening elements such as nails, threaded fasteners, or rivets. It will be appreciated, however, that an aperture or apertures need not be present in order to attach the bracket to a structure. The fastening element(s) may be driven through the first member, if desired. Additionally, it will also be appreciated that attachment may also be achieved with suitable adhesives, in lieu of, or in addition to, fastening elements. Continuing on, the support beam engaging portion  358  comprises a web  362  and a pair of legs  364 ,  366 , which are angled with respect to the web to form a generally “L”-shaped form. The web  362  includes an aperture  368  that is accessible through a slot  370  defined by edges  372  and  374  of legs  366  and  364 , respectively. The aperture  368  and slot  370  are configured to slidingly receive a leg portion  732   b  and foot  734  of a support beam  716  of  FIGS. 51 and 52 .  
         [0186]     Generally, the bracket of  FIG. 50  may be used with beams and blocks as shown in  FIGS. 51 and 52  to form wall structures similar to wall structures previously discussed. More specifically, support beam  716 , as shown, comprises an elongated spine or web  718  and plurality of ribs  720  and  722 ,  724  and  726 , which are arranged in a substantially coplanar and collateral relation so that the first pair of ribs  720 ,  722 , which are substantially coplanar, extend away from each other in a manner similar to other embodiments already described. As shown, a first pair of ribs  720 ,  722  are designed to engage the grooves  728  of one or more blocks of a structure. As shown in  FIG. 51 , the support beams  716  may be oriented in a generally vertical direction, or as in  FIG. 52 , a generally horizontal direction. Note that in either orientation, the blocks would essentially be self-supporting.  
         [0187]     In addition, the web also includes a second pair of ribs  724 ,  726  which are also substantially coplanar and which extend away from each other. Note that the pairs of ribs  720 ,  722  and  724 ,  726  are in substantially collateral or parallel relation with respect to each other and are spaced apart from each other by a distance defined by the web  718 . The support beam  716  also includes a pair of pair of leg structures  730  having leg portions  732   a - b  that are similar to the leg structures of  FIG. 37  in that they extend rearwardly away from ribs  724 ,  726  and which form a generally U-shaped channel therewith. The support beam differs, however, in that only one of the leg portions  732   b  includes a foot  734 . As depicted, the foot  734  extends laterally away from the leg portion  732   b  and is generally parallel with ribs  720 ,  722 . As with the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , the foot may be connected directly or indirectly to a support structure. However, as depicted, the beams of  FIGS. 51 and 52  are operatively connected to a structure by a plurality of brackets  354 , which are attached to suitable structural members. With such an arrangement the beams, which are slidingly constrained by the brackets, permit blocks to move without destroying the integrity of the structure.  
         [0188]     As shown in  FIG. 53 , a bracket  200  is used as part of a wall system to operatively connect a support beam  116  to a structure “S”. Note that the lowermost course of blocks is supported by a horizontally oriented, elongated base, preferably in the form of an angle iron  83 , which can be used with one or more support pads or footings  80   a , if desired. The angle iron  83  includes an upper surface  86 , that is configured to receive one or more blocks thereon and a sidewall  88  that prevents the block(s) from being shifted backwards. Optionally, the upper surface and/or the sidewall of the angle iron  83  may be provided with adhesive material to enable the block(s) to be secured thereto, which increases the strength and stability of the wall structure. Often, a completed wall structure will terminate in an upper course of blocks that is offset from the structure “S”. In these situations, one or more capstones or sills  113  may be used to provide a finished look, with the sills being positioned upon the upper course of blocks. As will be understood, the sills may be attached to the upper course of blocks using known technologies and techniques, such as adhesives. Sometimes, there is a gap between a capstone or sill  113  and the structure “S”, through which moisture, debris, insects, etc. may pass. This gap can be effectively closed using a sealing element  250  as depicted in  FIGS. 54 and 55 .  
         [0189]     The sealing element  250  of the present invention generally comprises a body having a plurality of flexible, resilient strips that provide an effective seal between the sills or finish moldings and the structure. More specifically the sealing element  250  comprises a sealing panel  251  that is formed by first and second strips  252  and  254  and an attachment portion  255  that is formed by third and fourth strips  256  and  258 . The attachment portion  255  is operatively connected to the panel  251  such that the third and fourth strips extend therefrom in a generally radial relation. As can be seen in  FIGS. 54 and 55 , the sealing element is in an unflexed state and the third and fourth strips  256  and  258  define an angle  262 , which can range from about 15 degrees to about 165 degrees. The preferred range of the angle however is in the range of about 45 degrees to about 75 degrees. The third and fourth strips  256  and  258  may include beads or wales  260  that enable the sealing element to anchor itself into position. In use, the third and fourth strips  256  and  258  of the attachment portion  255  are pinched together and inserted into the gap between the wall and a structure, as shown in  FIGS. 53 and 56 . As the attachment portion  255  is seated, the first and second strips  252 ,  254  of the panel  251  contact the surfaces of the sill  113  and the structure “S” and exert normal forces there against. Thus, effectively seals the gap. As will be appreciated, the sealing element is maintained in position by the beads  260  that, due to the resilient nature of the strips, tend to catch against irregularities in the surfaces of the sill and the structure “S” and resist movement. As will be appreciated, the sealing element  250  may be oriented so that the first and third strips  252 ,  256  contact the sill  113  and the second and fourth strips  254 ,  258  contact the structure “S”, if desired.  
         [0190]     There may be times when it is not possible, practical, or desirable to use beams or the combination of beams and brackets, as previously described to operatively connect blocks to a structure. In such cases, blocks may be attached to a structure using only brackets. Generally, as shown in  FIGS. 57-59 , each bracket comprises a structure engagement portion and a block engagement portion that are spaced from each other by a web. In one preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 57 , the bracket  754  comprises a structure engagement portion  756  that is similar to previously described structure engagement portions in that it is configured and arranged to act as a point of attachment to a structure, and comprises a member  766  having an aperture  768 , with the aperture configured to be used in conjunction with a fastening element such as a nail, screw or rivet. The bracket also comprises a web  762  and a panel  760 , which collectively serve to connect the structure engagement portion  756  to a block engagement portion  758 , and which serve to position a block a predetermined distance from a structure to which it may be attached. While the structure engagement portion  756  and the web  762  form a generally 90 degree angle therebetween, it will be understood that the angle may be modified depending upon the configuration of the structure to which it is attached. Thus, for example, the angle could be acute or obtuse. The block engagement portion  758 , which is connected to the web, comprises a plurality of generally planar sections  759   a ,  759   b ,  759   c ,  759   d , and which are configured to cooperatively engage portions of one or more blocks such that forward and rearward movement of the blocks relative to the structure, is limited. This is achieved by forming some sections so that they are substantially coplanar with each other and forming some sections so that they are substantially parallel to each other (when viewing the bracket on edge). Note that those sections that are coplanar with each other extend away from the web in opposite directions, while those sections that are parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a panel, need not be so restricted. Note also, that the sections are configured and arranged so that when viewed from front, the sections do not overlap or superimpose upon each other. As will be appreciated, this permits to bracket to be manufactured from material such as metal and formed into the desired configuration with a series of cuts and bends. It will be understood, however, that the bracket may be manufactured from different materials (eg. plastics) and formed using different techniques (eg. molding) without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In use, as shown in  FIG. 60  (right side), the bracket  754  operatively connects two blocks to a structure “S”.  
         [0191]     Alternative embodiments of bracket  754  are depicted in  FIGS. 58 and 59 . As with the previously described bracket, these brackets  754 ′ and  754 ″, respectively, comprise a structure engagement portion, a web, and a block engagement portion. The structure engagement portions are similar to the structure engagement portion of  FIG. 57  in that they are configured and arranged to act as a point of attachment to a structure, and comprises a member  766 ′,  766 ″ having an aperture  768 ′,  768 ″ respectively, with the aperture configured to be used in conjunction with a fastening element such as a nail, screw or rivet. Likewise, the brackets also comprise a web  762 ′,  762 ″ which serve to connect the structure engagement portion  756 ′,  756 ″ to a block engagement portion  758 ′,  758 ″, respectively, and which serve to position a block a predetermined distance from a structure to which it may be attached. In a departure from the web structure of  FIG. 57 , the webs of  FIGS. 58 and 59  include an additional aperture  764 ′,  764 ″ that is configured and arranged to act as a point of attachment to a structure (see, for example, the left side of  FIG. 60 ). As with the previously describe embodiment of  FIG. 57 , the angle formed by the structure engagement portion and the web (shown generally as 90 degrees) may be modified depending upon the configuration of the structure to which it is attached. The block engagement portions  758 ′,  758 ″, which are connected to respective webs, each comprise a plurality of sections  759   a ′ and  759   b ′,  759   a ″ and  759   b ″, which are configured to cooperatively engage portions of one or more blocks such that forward and rearward movement of the blocks relative to the structure, is limited. This is achieved by forming the sections so that they are generally coplanar to each other (when viewing the bracket on edge) and able to engage opposing surfaces in one or more blocks. A feature common to each of the sections  758   a ′ and  758   b ′,  758   a ″ and  758   b ″ is that they have a thickness  776 ′,  776 ″ that effectively spans the distance between the opposing surfaces into which they are positioned, such that forward and rearward movement of the blocks relative to the structure, is limited. In particular, the effective thickness of each section  776 ′,  776 ″ of bracket  754 ′,  754 ″ is achieved by forming creases  772  in each section to form darts  770 , whose ends define the extent of the effective thickness  776 ′. A strengthening rib  774  may be provided for each section, if desired. The effective thickness  776 ′ of the sections  770  of bracket  754 ′ is achieved by forming the sections so that they have high and low block contacting areas, preferably by curving the sections and more preferably by forming the sections into the shape of arcs.  FIG. 60  is a plan view of the brackets of  FIGS. 57 and 59  operatively connecting blocks of the present invention to a substructure.  
         [0192]     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.