Patent Publication Number: US-2021172171-A1

Title: Wall blocks, veneer panels for wall blocks and method of constructing walls

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 16/048,930 filed Jul. 30, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/944,663, filed Nov. 18, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/172,157, filed Feb. 4, 2014, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/893,308, filed Sep. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,656,678, issued Feb. 25, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/246,805, filed Sep. 29, 2009, entitled “Wall Blocks, Veneer Panels for Wall Blocks and Method of Constructing Walls”, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/253,987, filed Oct. 22, 2009, entitled “Wall Blocks, Veneer Panels for Wall Blocks and Method of Constructing Walls” the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wall blocks, veneer panels and walls made from such blocks. In particular, this invention relates to wall blocks having a connection system that attaches veneer panels to wall blocks and a pinning system that connects courses of blocks with veneer panels to adjacent courses of blocks with veneer panels to form walls that are straight, curvilinear, retaining or freestanding or that have 90 degree corners. Additionally, columns, pilasters and parapets may be constructed with the blocks and veneer panels of the present invention and optionally vertical and horizontal reinforcement members may be utilized in building any structure with the present invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Retaining walls are used in various landscaping projects and are available in a wide variety of styles. Numerous methods and materials exist for the construction of retaining walls. Such methods include the use of natural stone, poured concrete, precast panels, masonry, and landscape timbers or railroad ties. 
     A widely accepted method of construction of such walls is to dry stack concrete wall units, or blocks. These blocks are popular because they are mass produced and, consequently, relatively inexpensive. They are structurally sound and easy and relatively inexpensive to install. Because they comprise concrete, they are durable. They can be given a desired appearance such as a natural stone appearance. Many block systems also use pins that are adapted to fit in corresponding pin holes in adjacent blocks or may use other mechanical means to contribute to the stability of a wall. 
     Typically, retaining wall blocks are manufactured to have the desired appearance on the front face (i.e., the outer face of a wall) because only the front is typically visible after the wall is constructed. It is highly desirable to have the front face of the wall system have a natural stone appearance, and many approaches are used in the art to treat or process concrete to evoke the appearance of natural stone, including splitting the block, tumbling the block to weather the face and edges of the face, and using processing or texturing equipment to impart a weathered look to the concrete. Colored concrete in various forms and methods also is employed to mimic the look of natural stone. 
     Depending upon their location, the soil type, the amount of water that can flow through a concrete retaining wall, and the salt content of the concrete, an undesirable appearance can develop on the surface of a retaining wall due to efflorescence. Efflorescence refers to the leaching of mineral salts from concrete by water and this often occurs on walls in contact with water. The resultant deposit on a surface creates an unattractive white, stained appearance on a wall. In addition, due to exposure to the elements and freeze/thaw cycles, concrete retaining walls may exhibit spalling, that is, chipping and cracking of concrete, which affects their appearance and can ultimately affect their utility. Freeze-thaw effects are worsened when the wall face is exposed to salt spray, which commonly occurs on roadways where de-icing salts are used to clear the road of ice and snow. 
     There have been prior efforts to add a veneer to regular masonry and segmental retaining walls with natural stone or concrete that is pre-cast molded to closely resemble natural stone. While such veneering produces aesthetically pleasing walls, it is a laborious and highly expensive process, as it requires skilled masonry work to tie in the stone or concrete veneer to the wall using traditional mortared masonry construction methods. Such veneering can double the cost of the finished wall. In addition, reinforced soil (also known as mechanically stabilized earth (MSE)) segmental retaining walls are not rigid structures and applying a rigid mortared veneer may cause cracking of the veneer pieces or mortar areas unless appropriate steps are taken to provide slip joints that allow for such movement. Additionally, it has been proposed to attach veneers made from various materials to wall blocks or wall surfaces using a connecting means that does not require mortar. Although such veneers are advantageous in many respects improvements are needed. For example, it would be desirable to provide a block for use with a veneer that has been specifically designed and configured to form a wall that can be interlocked for stability and that can be used with veneers and compatible connectors to provide a wall structure that is both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. Further, it would be desirable to improve the connectors with which those veneers are attached to the blocks or wall surface and to improve the manner in which the blocks in the wall are connected and stabilized from course to course. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a wall block and veneer panels and a method of constructing walls, retaining walls, free-standing walls or fence systems from the wall blocks and veneer panels. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing such walls or fence systems wherein a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and further wherein the front faces of the veneer panels have a desirable texture and further wherein the veneer panels can be connected to the wall blocks before, during or after construction of the wall or fence system. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a pin receiving cavity for receiving a pin, the pin receiving cavity located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into one of the front or rear faces of the block; the front and rear faces having surface areas and the surface area of the front face being greater than the surface area of the rear face; a larger body portion, a smaller body portion, and two neck portions, the neck portions connecting the larger body portion and the smaller body portion, the front face forming a part of the larger body portion and the rear face forming a part of the smaller body portion; a core and two side voids, the core being encompassed by the larger body portion, the smaller body portion and the two neck portions, and the two side voids being formed by the side walls adjacent the two neck portions; and the pin hole extending from the top face of the block to the pin receiving cavity. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and parallel first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a pin receiving cavity for receiving a pin, the pin receiving cavity located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into one of the front or rear faces of the block; and a single core, the pin hole extending from the top face of the block to the receiving pocket. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block having a front face, the front face of the wall block having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, and a veneer connector disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel, wherein the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the first side surface having a first surface portion which angles outward from the front face and a second surface portion which angles inward from the first surface portion towards the rear face. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block having a front face, the front face of the wall block having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, and a veneer connector disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel, wherein the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the rear face of the veneer having projections and valleys, the valleys extending from the top to the bottom faces. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising: a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; and the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs and horizontal friction ribs located at different portions of each shaft. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising: a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs, the first and second shafts not being offset from each other, the first and second shafts being the same length, and the bridge portion being substantially planar. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising a shaft and bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the shaft. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector: the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector; the wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block; the veneer connector comprising a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; and the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs and horizontal friction ribs located at different portions of each shaft; and the veneer connector being disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector: the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector; the wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block; the veneer connector comprising a shaft, and bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the shaft; and the veneer connector being disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel. 
     The invention provides a wall comprising a first course and a second course of wall blocks, a plurality of wall blocks comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a mold box for a block of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 1B to 1D  are top perspective, bottom and front views, respectively, of an embodiment of a wall block of the present invention as it would be installed in a wall. 
         FIG. 1E  is a bottom view of a receiving pocket of a wall block of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1F  is a cross-sectional view of the block of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 1G  is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the block of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top perspective and bottom views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a block of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of a mold box for a corner block of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3B to 3D  are perspective, bottom and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a corner block of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3E  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the corner block of  FIG. 3B . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of a corner block of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of a mold box for veneer panels of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5B and 5C  are perspective front face and top views, respectively, of an embodiment of a veneer panel of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5D and 5E  are perspective and top views, respectively, of another embodiment of a veneer panel of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5F and 5G  are top and back perspective views, respectively, of another embodiment of a veneer panel of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5H and 5I  are front and top views, respectively, of another embodiment of a veneer panel of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5J to 5L  are front views of alternative textures for the front faces of the veneer panels of  FIGS. 5A to 5I . 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a veneer connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6B to 6D  are perspective views of the veneer connector of  FIG. 6A  used in the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6E and 6F  are perspective and top views of the veneer connector of  FIG. 6A  used in a corner block of the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6G  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a veneer connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6H and 6I  are perspective views of the veneer connector of  FIG. 6G  used in the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6J  is a front view of another embodiment of a veneer connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6K  is a perspective view of the veneer connector of  FIG. 6J  used in the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6L  is a perspective view of the veneer connector of  FIG. 6J  used in the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6M to 6P  are perspective and top views, respectively, of another embodiment of a veneer connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6Q and 6R  are perspective and top views, respectively, of another embodiment of a veneer connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a wall formed from a wall system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of a parapet wall and lower retaining wall constructed from the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of a double sided corner wall constructed from the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7D and 7E  are perspective views of a 90 degree corner wall showing corner units and common units built with veneers. 
         FIG. 7F  is a perspective view of a double sided, freestanding pilaster wall constructed from the wall blocks of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7G  is a top view of a wall formed from an alternative wall system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7H  is a top view of a curvilinear wall formed from the wall system of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are top views of walls formed from another embodiment of a wall block and veneer panel system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In one embodiment of the invention, veneer panels are used with retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall blocks can be made of a rugged, weather resistant material, preferably (and typically) zero-slump molded concrete. Other suitable materials include polymers, especially high density foam polymers, fiberglass, wood, metal, glass, stone, and composite materials with reinforced fibers, etc. The blocks may have various shapes and characteristics, as known in the art, and may be stacked one upon the other to provide a vertically straight wall, and also may be stacked so that they are angled or set back from vertical. As known in the art, the blocks may be connected to each other by a pin attachment system, or the blocks may be provided with one or more protruding elements that interlock with one or more corresponding recesses in an adjacent block. 
     “Upper” and “lower” refer to the placement of the block in a retaining wall or fence system. The lower, or bottom, surface is placed such that it faces the ground. In a retaining wall, one row of blocks is laid down, forming a course. An upper course is formed on top of this lower course by positioning the lower surface of one block on the upper surface of another block. 
     Retaining walls may be straight (i.e., substantially linear, as well as vertically straight or plumb), curved (concave, convex, or serpentine) or may have angled corners (i.e., 90 degree angles, obtuse angles or acute angles of a buildable degree). Such walls can be angled or setback from vertical. Reinforcing geogrid mesh or geosynthetic fabrics (also referred to generally as geogrids and geotextiles) may be used with retaining wall blocks to create a reinforced soil structure where the wall has one exposed face and where the geogrid is attached to the block via the pinning connection and comes out through the back face and into the backfilled soil at desired intervals vertically. 
     The blocks of this invention are symmetrical about a vertical plane of symmetry. The blocks may optionally be provided with pin holes, pin receiving cavities, and at least one core which serves to decrease the weight of the block while maintaining its strength while also providing ease of construction of a retaining wall. The location, shape, and size of the pin holes and receiving cavities are selected to maximize the strength of the block, as described by reference to the drawings. 
     The veneer panels of this invention may be comprised of any suitable material such as high strength concrete, polymers, composites, natural stone, metal, wood, glass, porcelain or a mineral aggregate in fiberglass. High strength concrete (6,000 psi and higher) used in the making of the veneer panel may be compacted under vibration and pressure to make the veneer panel extremely durable and strong. Various liquid or dry pigments may be added to the concrete mix in order to create different colors or shades of color. The mold of the veneer panel is configured to impart a surface texture to the material that resembles the texture of natural stone. The high density and strength of the concrete veneer panel make it more resistant to weather and other natural forces. 
     It is to be emphasized that the surface of a veneer panel may have any desired appearance. A natural appearance, such as stone, is generally most desirable. The panel may have a uniform single stone appearance or it may have an ashlar multi-stone pattern formed into it. The panels may also resemble stone that has been processed or treated as is commonly known in the natural stone industry. For example, the panel may resemble a weathered stone, polished stone, or flame treated stone. In addition, the veneer panels may be molded or configured to produce panels that resemble stone that has been hand or machine pitched or tumbled to produce an aesthetically pleasing natural quarried stone appearance. In addition, the veneer panel can be manufactured to have any desired appearance, whether natural or man made. A combination of geometric forms and shapes, along with natural appearing aesthetics are all possible by adding the veneer panel to the structural support block of this system. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block. In one embodiment, the receiving pocket is located on the bottom face of the block opens into the front face of the block. In an embodiment, the front and rear faces have surface areas and the surface area of the front face is greater than the surface area of the rear face. In an embodiment, the wall block comprises a larger body portion, a smaller body portion, and two neck portions, the neck portions connecting the larger body portion and the smaller body portion, the front face forming a part of the larger body portion and the rear face forming a part of the smaller body portion. In one embodiment, the wall block comprises a core and two side voids, the core being encompassed by the larger body portion, the smaller body portion and the two neck portions, and the two side voids being formed by the side walls adjacent the two neck portions. In one embodiment, the pin hole extends from the top face of the block to the receiving pocket. In an embodiment, the bottom surface of the block in the two neck portions has receiving channels for receiving a reinforcement member. 
     In an embodiment, the connector channel that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block and opens onto the front face of the block, opens onto the front face from the bottom face to the top face of the block. In another embodiment, the connector channel that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block and opens onto the front face of the block, does not open onto the front face for the entire distance from the bottom face to the top face of the block. In an embodiment, the connector channel opens onto the front face of the block from the receiving pocket to a point below the top face of the block. 
     In an embodiment, the connector channel that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block and opens onto the front face of the block, opens onto the front face from the receiving pocket to the top face of the block. In one embodiment, the connector channel that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block and opens onto the front face of the block, does not open onto the front face for the entire distance from the bottom face to the top face of the block. In an embodiment, the connector channel opens onto the front face of the block from the receiving pocket to a point below the top face of the block. 
     In one embodiment, wherein the bottom face of the block comprises four receiving pockets and the top face of the block comprises four pin holes. In an embodiment, the wall block comprises two connector channels opening onto the front face of the block and two connector channels opening onto the rear face of the block. 
     In an embodiment, the front and rear faces have surface areas and the surface area of the front face is equal to the surface area of the rear face, and the first and second side walls are parallel. In one embodiment, the bottom face of the block comprises only six receiving pockets and the top face of the block comprises only six pin holes. In an embodiment, the wall block comprises two connector channels opening onto the front face of the block, two connector channels opening onto the rear face of the block, and one connector channel opening onto each of the first and second side walls. In one embodiment, the wall block has only two cores. In an embodiment, the bottom surface of the block has a receiving channel for receiving a reinforcement member. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a pin receiving cavity for receiving a pin, the pin receiving cavity located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into one of the front or rear faces of the block; the front and rear faces having surface areas and the surface area of the front face being greater than the surface area of the rear face; a larger body portion, a smaller body portion, and two neck portions, the neck portions connecting the larger body portion and the smaller body portion, the front face forming a part of the larger body portion and the rear face forming a part of the smaller body portion; a core and two side voids, the core being encompassed by the larger body portion, the smaller body portion and the two neck portions, and the two side voids being formed by the side walls adjacent the two neck portions; and the pin hole extending from the top face of the block to the pin receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the block has a receiving channel for receiving a reinforcement member. In an embodiment, the connector channel that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block and opens onto the front face of the block, opens onto the front face from the bottom face to the top face of the block. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and parallel first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a pin receiving cavity for receiving a pin, the pin receiving cavity located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into one of the front or rear faces of the block; and a single core, the pin hole extending from the top face of the block to the receiving pocket. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block having a front face, the front face of the wall block having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, and a veneer connector disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel, wherein the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the first side surface having a first surface portion which angles outward from the front face and a second surface portion which angles inward from the first surface portion towards the rear face. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block having a front face, the front face of the wall block having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector, and a veneer connector disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel, wherein the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the rear face of the veneer having projections and valleys, the valleys extending from the top to the bottom faces. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising: a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; and the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs and horizontal friction ribs located at different portions of each shaft. In an embodiment, the first and second shafts are offset from each other. In one embodiment, the first and second shafts are the same length. In an embodiment, the bridge portion is substantially planar. In one embodiment, the vertical friction ribs of the first shaft point in the opposite direction as the vertical friction ribs of the second shaft. In an embodiment, the first shaft is longer than the second shaft and includes a projection that can function as a pin. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising: a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs, the first and second shafts not being offset from each other, the first and second shafts being the same length, and the bridge portion being substantially planar. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising a shaft and bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the shaft. In an embodiment, the shaft has upper, middle, and lower portions, the upper and lower portions having horizontal friction ribs, and the middle portion having bifurcated horizontal prongs. In one embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at ends of the prongs. In an embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at ends of the prongs. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector: the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector; the wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block; the veneer connector comprising a first shaft and second shaft, the first shaft being attached to the second shaft by a bridge portion, the first and second shafts being parallel to each other; and the first and second shafts each having vertical friction ribs and horizontal friction ribs located at different portions of each shaft; and the veneer connector being disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel. In an embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the first side surface having a first surface portion which angles outward from the front face and a second surface portion which angles inward from the first surface portion towards the rear face. In an embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the rear face of the veneer having projections and valleys, the valleys extending from the top to the bottom faces. In one embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, and the front face of the block is the same size as the rear face of the veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, and the front face of the block is a smaller size than the rear face of the veneer. In an embodiment, the wall block is a concrete wall block. In an embodiment, the veneer is a pre-cast concrete veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer comprises a polymer. In one embodiment, the veneer is a real stone veneer. In one embodiment, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the wall block opens into the front face of the block. In one embodiment, the first and second shafts of the veneer connector are offset from each other. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector: the veneer having a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector; the wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block; the veneer connector comprising a shaft, and bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the shaft; and the veneer connector being disposed within the wall block connector channel and the veneer connector channel. In an embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the first side surface having a first surface portion which angles outward from the front face and a second surface portion which angles inward from the first surface portion towards the rear face. In one embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, the rear face of the veneer having projections and valleys, the valleys extending from the top to the bottom faces. In an embodiment, the veneer comprises parallel top and bottom faces, front and rear faces, and first and second side surfaces, and the front face of the block is the same size as the rear face of the veneer. In an embodiment, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the wall block opens into the front face of the block. In an embodiment, the shaft of the veneer connector has upper, middle, and lower portions, the upper and lower portions having horizontal friction ribs, and the middle portion having bifurcated horizontal prongs. In one embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at ends of the prongs. 
     The invention provides a wall comprising a first course and a second course of wall blocks, a plurality of wall blocks comprising: parallel top and bottom faces, parallel front and rear faces, and first and second side walls, the first and second side walls extending from the top face to the bottom face and from the front face to the rear face; a pin hole located on the top face of the block; a receiving pocket for receiving a pin, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block and opening onto the bottom face of the block; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the bottom face to the top face of the block, the connector channel opening into the receiving pocket and one of the front or rear faces of the block. In an embodiment, the receiving pocket located on the bottom face of the block opens into the front face of the block. In an embodiment, the wall is a retaining wall. In one embodiment, the wall is a free-standing wall. In an embodiment, the wall comprises a retaining wall and a parapet wall on top of the retaining wall. In an embodiment, veneers are attached to a plurality of the front faces of the blocks. In another embodiment, veneers are attached to a plurality of the front and rear faces of the blocks. In embodiments, the wall is straight or curved. In one embodiment, the wall includes a 90 degree corner. In embodiments, the wall is vertical or has a setback. In an embodiment, the wall is reinforced with geogrid soil reinforcement, internal reinforcement, or a combination of the two. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates block  100   a  of the present invention formed in a mold box  10   a.  Mold box  10   a  generally includes two or more mold cavities and has opposing first and second side frame walls  2   a  and  4   a  and opposing first and second end frame walls  6   a  and  8   a  but it should be noted that other sized molding machines may have molds with greater cavity capacities. Division plate  20   a  spans side walls  2   a  and  4   a  of mold box  10   a  dividing the mold into two cavities and forms a front face of wall block  100   a  in both mold cavities. Stationary side liners  30   a,  form first and second side walls and stationary back liner  32   a  forms the back face of wall block  100   a  in each cavity. Connector channel/pin hole forming members and receiving pocket forming members (not shown) may be rigidly attached to division plate  20   a  and stationary back liner  32   a  to form each of the pin holes, connector cavities and receiving pockets of block  100   a  discussed in further detail below. Although not shown, a stripper shoe or compression head is used to compact the material in the mold cavities and to aid in discharging the blocks from the mold cavities when the production cycle is complete. Typically, a lower surface of the compression head which contacts the block at the top of the open mold cavity lies in a generally horizontal plane. 
     Though mold boxes  10   a  may have various dimensions, typical dimensions are about 18.5 inches (47.0 cm) wide (i.e., the width of the first and second end walls), 26.0 inches (66.0 cm) long (i.e., the length of the first and second side walls), and 8 inches (20.4 cm) thick. 
     The mold boxes of  FIG. 1A  produce two blocks  100   a  shown in  FIGS. 1B to 1F . Blocks  100   a  are made of a rugged, weather resistant material, preferably (and typically) zero-slump molded concrete. Other suitable materials include plastic, reinforced fibers, wood, metal and stone. Block  100   a  has parallel top face  102  and bottom face  103 , front face  104 , rear face  105  and first and second side walls  106  and  107 . Front face  104  and rear face  105  each extend from top face  102  to bottom face  103  and front face  104  has a larger surface area than rear surface  105 . It should be noted that front face and rear face are relative terms when constructing a wall from blocks  100   a  and thus rear face  105  could be placed facing outward and form a front face of a wall. Further front face  104  and rear face  105  can both be alternated or some combination thereof depending upon the application when forming a face of a wall. Side walls  106  and  107  extend from top face  102  to bottom face  103  and from front face  104  to rear face  105 . 
     Block  100   a  comprises larger body portion  108 , smaller body portion  109  and neck portions  110  which connect the larger body portion  108  to the smaller body portion  109 . Front face  104  forms part of the larger body portion  108 , while rear face  105  forms part of smaller body portion  109 . The larger and smaller body and neck portions  108 ,  109 , and  110  each extend between top and bottom faces  102  and  103  and between first and second side walls  106  and  107 . Side walls  106  and  107  are thus of a compound shape and have side voids  112  as a result of the reduced width of neck portions  110  compared to that of body portions  108  and  109 . Side walls  106  and  107  also have side surface  111  which is part of the larger body portion  108 , and side surface  113  which is part of the smaller body portion  109 . Side surface  111  angles inward toward the back of the block and side surface  113  angles outward away from the block. Side surfaces  111  and  113  together form a common side angle to block  100   a.  This common angle preferably is from 5 to 15 degrees and may be 7.5 degrees. Neck portions  110  are generally located at the quarter points of the block to create balance between the space inside core  114  and the side spaces  112  of two adjoining blocks. Quarter points are the midpoints of the two segments produced by dividing the front face of the block at its midpoint. 
     Opening or core  114  extends through neck portion  110  from top face  102  to bottom face  103 . Core  114  and side voids  112  also reduce the weight of block  100   a;  lower block weight is both a manufacturing advantage and an advantage when constructing a wall from the blocks as it reduces cost due to less material and makes lifting of the blocks easier. Cores  114  and side voids  112  also allow the structure being constructed with the blocks to utilize vertical reinforcing members such as rebar to increase durability and strengthen the structure. 
       FIG. 1F  is a vertical cross-sectional view of block  100   a  taken along line F-F in  FIG. 1C . Receiving cavities or pockets  120   a  and  120   c  are shown in cross section in  FIG. 1F . Pocket  120   a  is located in body portion  108  and pocket  120   c  is located in body portion  109 . Pockets  120   a  and  120   c  extend a predetermined depth into the bottom surface  103  and also extend a predetermined depth into front face  104 . The configuration of pockets  120   b  and  120   d  are similar and are not separately shown. Receiving pockets  120   c  and  120   d  extend further into back face  105  than receiving pockets  120   a  and  120   b  extend into front face  104 , thus receiving pockets  120   c  and  120   d  are larger than receiving pockets  120   a  and  120   b.  It should be noted that this is not limiting and the receiving pockets could all be the same size or could all have differing sizes depending upon the application. 
       FIG. 1E  is a bottom view of receiving pocket  120   c  and is generally representative of the shape and configuration of each of the receiving pockets. Pocket  120   c  has an upper surface which includes a substantially horizontal portion  121   a  and an inclined portion  121   b.  Portion  121   a  is substantially horizontal and generally parallel to the top and bottom faces of the block while surface  121   b  of the upper surface of receiving pockets  120   c  has an angular incline from horizontal. This incline may have any angle but may preferably be in the range of 30 to 45 degrees. The angular incline of receiving pockets  120   a/b/c/d  is produced as an area of decline in the mold cavity with the bottom face  103  facing upward and is formed by the receiving pocket forming member that is attached to mold box  10   a,  division plate  20   a  and stationary end wall liner  32   a.  This angular decline relative to the bottom surface of the block as it sits facing upward in the mold box helps to even the distribution of material through vibratory action and compaction to form a more structurally sound block. 
     Receiving pockets  120   a/b/c/d  receive a head of a pin placed in an adjacent lower course of blocks which is described in further detail below. Receiving pockets  120   a  and  120   b  are sized to allow for setback/offset from vertical in the construction of a structure while the size of receiving pockets  120   c  and  120   d  allow for generally no setback in the construction of a substantially vertical structure. 
     Front face  104  and back face  105  have connector channels  122  which extend from surface  121   a  of the upper surface of receiving pockets  120   a/b/c/d  upward a predetermined distance towards top surface  102 . Pin holes  124  are located in body portions  108  and  109  and extend from top surface  102  to surface  121   a  of the upper surface of receiving pockets  120   a/b/c/d.  Pin holes open into connector channels  122  of the front face  104  and rear face  105  and together have a predetermined depth specifically sized to receive and secure the veneer connectors/clips which are connected or can be connected to veneer face panels which are described below. It is to be understood that commonly, though not always, the reference to a veneer clip being inserted into the connector channel of a block herewith may refer to a shaft of the veneer clip being received into the pin hole through surface  121   a  of the receiving pocket and a bridge of the veneer clip being received into the connector channel. 
     Pin  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , has a shaft  51  which is placed into a pin hole of a top surface in a lower course of blocks when constructing a wall and the pin  50  also has a head  52  which projects from the top surface of the block of the lower course and abuts to the perpendicular rear wall of receiving pocket  218  of a block in an upper course of a constructed structure. The head  52  of the pin may have a larger diameter than the shaft  51  and may also be tapered, square, round or any other desired shape. Additionally the shaft  51  of the pin may be circular, square or any other desired shape as well. In this manner, the pin in a block on a lower course of blocks in a wall engages the receiving pocket  218  of a block in an upper course. This results in an interlocking of the blocks with a predetermined setback using pin holes  216 , or no setback using pin holes  217 . It is to be understood that the shape of the pin is not limiting and could be for example uniformly shaped with no head or could have any other number of features. 
     Bottom surface  103  has receiving channel  130  located in neck portions  110 . Receiving channel  130  extends through the length of the neck as shown and opens onto side surfaces  111  and  113  of side walls  106  and  107  and into the core  114 . The receiving channel may be of sufficient width and depth as to accommodate a horizontal reinforcing member such as rebar to help strengthen the wall depending upon the application or may accommodate layers of soil retention material such as geogrid. The receiving channel may specifically have a depth of ¼ of an inch to 1 inch (12.7 to 25.4 mm) but may be wider or narrower depending upon the application. 
     Though the blocks illustrated in the  FIGS. 1A to 1F  may have various dimensions, block  100   a  typically has a height (i.e., the distance between surfaces  102  and  103 ) of about 8 inches (200 mm), a front face length (i.e., the distance from side surface  111  of side wall  106  to side surface  111  of side wall  107 ) of about 18 inches (457 mm), a back face length (i.e., the distance from side surface  113  of side wall  106  to side surface  113  of side wall  107 ) of about 15.25 inches (388 mm), and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  104  to rear face  105 ) of about 9 inches (225 mm). 
     An alternative embodiment of the block is shown in  FIG. 1G . Block  100   b  is substantially the same as block  100   a  except that connector channels  122  extend from surface  121   a  (which extends the entire upper surface of receiving pockets  120   a/b/c/d ) of the upper surface of receiving channels  120   a/b/c/d  to the top surface  102  of block  100   b.  It should be noted that this is not limiting and that the connector channels could all be the same length or could have varying lengths depending upon the application. 
     Another embodiment of the block is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Block  200  has parallel top face  202  and bottom face  203 , front face  204 , rear face  205  and first and second side walls  206  and  207 . Front face  204  and rear face  205  each extend from top face  202  to bottom face  203 . It should be noted that front face and rear face are relative terms when constructing a wall from blocks  200  and thus rear face  205  could be placed facing outward and form a front face of a wall. Further front face  204  and rear face  205  can both be alternated or some combination thereof depending upon the application when forming a face of a wall. Side walls  206  and  207  extend from top face  202  to bottom face  203  and from front face  204  to rear face  205 . 
     Block  200  comprises larger body portion  208 , smaller body portion  209  and neck portions  210  which connect the larger body portion  208  to the smaller body portion  209 . Front face  204  forms part of the larger body portion  208 , while rear face  205  forms part of smaller body portion  209 . The larger and smaller body and neck portions  208 ,  209 , and  210  each extend between top and bottom faces  202  and  203  and between first and second side walls  206  and  207 . Side walls  206  and  207  are thus of a compound shape and have side voids  212  as a result of the reduced width of neck portions  210  compared to that of body portions  208  and  209 . Side walls  206  and  207  also have side surface  211  which is part of the larger body portion  208 , and side surface  213  which is part of the smaller body portion  209 . 
     Opening or core  214  extends through neck portion  210  from top face  202  to bottom face  203 . Core  214  and side voids  212  also reduce the weight of block  200 ; lower weight block is both a manufacturing advantage and an advantage when constructing a wall from the blocks as it reduces cost due to less material and makes lifting of the blocks easier. Having a balanced through core  214  with two abutting side voids  212  leads to an effective filling of stone core fill and distribution of frictional connection to geogrid mesh material. 
     Bottom surface  203  has receiving channel  230  located in neck portions  210 . Receiving channel  230  may extend a portion of the length of the neck as shown and may open onto side surfaces  211  of side walls  206  and  207  and into the core  214 . The receiving channel may be of sufficient width and depth as to accommodate a horizontal reinforcing member such as rebar to help strengthen the wall depending upon the application or may accommodate layers of soil retention material such as geogrid. The receiving channel may specifically have a depth of ¼ of an inch to one inch (12.7 to 25.4 mm) but may be wider or narrower depending upon the application. 
     Front face  204  and back face  205  have connector channels  222  which extend from top surface  202  to bottom surface  203 . Connector channels have a predetermined depth that is sized to receive and secure the veneer connectors which are connected to the veneer face panels. 
     Bottom face  203  of block  200  has pin receiving cavities  218  which are located in body portions  208  and  209  and extend a portion of the distance between top and bottom faces  202  and  203 , i.e., opening onto the bottom surface but not the top surface. This is not limiting however and the pin receiving cavities may extend the entire distance between the top and bottom faces depending upon the application. Pin receiving cavities  218  may be slot shaped, that is, the cavities are curvilinear, having no sharp angles. The shape and size and location of the cavities are selected to maximize the strength of the block while at the same time reduce the weight of the block. 
     Pin holes  216  and  217 , i.e., first and second pin holes respectively, are located in body portions  208  and  209  of the block. The first pin holes  216  are positioned away from pin receiving cavities  218  and slightly set back towards receiving channel  230  of bottom face  203  and towards side walls  206  and  207 . Second pin holes  217  are positioned to open into pin receiving cavities  218  of the block and are located towards front and back faces  204  and  205 , respectively, of the block relative to pin holes  216 . The location of the pin holes forms four pairs of pinholes located around the central core  214  of the block and provides a way to connect courses of block to another course to strengthen the wall and structure being built and also provides a way to offset the stacking of the blocks when constructing a wall depending upon the application. 
     Pin holes typically extend through to bottom face  203  and are sized to receive pin  50  which is shown in  FIG. 2A . First pin holes  216  provide increased setback as compared to that provided by second pin holes  217 . Further pin holes can be provided, if desired, so as to provide for further choices of predetermined setback. Additionally, the location of the pin holes in the body of the block may be varied as desired as well as the location of the pin receiving cavities. 
     Though the blocks illustrated in the  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may have various dimensions, block  200  typically has a height (i.e., the distance between surfaces  202  and  203 ) of about 8 inches (200 mm), a front face length (i.e., the distance from side surface  211  of side wall  206  to side surface  211  of side wall  207 ) of about 18 inches (457 mm), a back face length (i.e., the distance from side surface  213  of side wall  206  to side surface  213  of side wall  207 ) of about 15.25 inches (388 mm), and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  204  to rear face  205 ) of about 12 inches (300 mm). 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates corner block  300   a  of the present invention formed in a mold box  10   b.  Mold box  10   b  generally includes two mold cavities and has opposing first and second side frame walls  2   b  and  4   b  and opposing first and second end frame walls  6   b  and  8   b.  Division plate  20   b  spans side walls  2   b  and  4   b  of mold box  10   b  dividing the mold into two cavities and forms a front face of block  300   a  in both mold cavities. Stationary side liners  30   b,  form first and second side walls and stationary back liner  32   b  forms the back face of wall block  300   a.  Pin hole forming members, connector channel forming members and receiving pocket forming members (not shown) may be rigidly attached to division plate  20   b  and stationary back liner  32   b  to form each of the pin holes, connector cavities and receiving pockets of block  300   a  discussed in further detail below. Although not shown, a stripper shoe or compression head is used to compact the material in the mold cavities and to aid in discharging the blocks from the mold cavities when the production cycle is complete. Typically, a lower surface of the compression head which contacts the block at the top of the open mold cavity lies in a generally horizontal plane. 
       FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D  illustrate corner block  300   a  of the present invention. Corner block  300   a  has parallel top face  302  and bottom face  303 , front face  304 , rear face  305  and first and second side walls  306  and  307 . Front face  304  and rear face  305  each extend from top face  302  to bottom face  303 . Side walls  306  and  307  extend from top face  302  to bottom face  303  and from front face  304  to rear face  305 . Cores  314  also extend from top face  302  to bottom face  303 . 
     Bottom surface  303 , front face  304 , back face  305  and side faces  306  and  307  of corner block  300   a  each have receiving cavities or pockets  320  that extend a predetermined depth into the bottom surface  303  and also extend a predetermined depth into one of front face  304 , back face  305  and side faces  306  and  307 . The receiving pockets  320  receive the head of pin  50  from a course of blocks adjacently below. It should be noted that the receiving pockets could all be the same size or could all have differing sizes depending upon the application. The configuration, structure and function of receiving pockets  320  is similar to that described earlier with respect to receiving pockets  120   a/b/c/d  of block  100   a.  The surfaces  321   a  of the upper surface of receiving pockets  320  are substantially horizontal and extend a predetermined distance while surface  321   b  of the upper surfaces of receiving pockets  320  have an angular incline from horizontal. The angular incline of receiving pockets  320  is produced as an area of decline in the mold cavity with the bottom face  303  facing upward and is formed by the receiving pocket forming member that is attached to mold box  10  division plate  20  and stationary back and side wall liners  30  and  32 . 
     Front face  304 , back face  305  and side walls  306  and  307  have connector channels  322  which extend from surface  321   a  of the upper surface of receiving pockets  320  upward a predetermined distance towards top surface  302 . Connector channels have a predetermined depth specifically sized to receive and secure the veneer clips which are connected or can be connected to veneer face panels which are described below. Corner block  300   a  also has pinholes  324  which extend from surface  321   a  to top surface  302 . As best seen in  FIG. 3B  there are six pinholes  324 , two along each face and one along each side wall. 
     Though the blocks illustrated in the  FIGS. 3A to 3D  may have various dimensions, block  300   a  typically has a height (i.e., the distance between surfaces  302  and  303 ) of about 8 inches (200 mm), front and back face lengths (i.e., the distance from side face  306  to side face  307 ) of about 18 inches (457 mm), and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  304  to rear face  305 ) of about 12 inches (300 mm). 
     Bottom surface  303  has receiving channel  330  that may open into one (as shown) or both of block  300   a  side walls and may be of sufficient width and depth as to accommodate a horizontal reinforcing member such as rebar to help strengthen the wall depending upon the application or may accommodate layers of soil retention material such as geogrid. 
     An alternative embodiment of corner block  300   a  is shown in  FIG. 3E . Block  300   b  is substantially the same as corner block  300   a  except that connector channels  322  extend from top surface  302  of block  300   b  to the lower surface  303  of the block. It should be noted that this is not limiting and that the connector channels could all be the same length or could have varying lengths depending upon the application. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate corner block  400  of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Corner block  400  is substantially similar to corner block  300   a  except that it does not have receiving pockets  320  and only has a single core  414 . Additionally, bottom face  403  of corner block  400  has first and second pin receiving cavities  418  which extend a portion of the distance between the top and bottom faces  402  and  403 , i.e., opening onto the bottom face but not the top face. This is not limiting however and the pin receiving cavities may extend the entire distance between the top and bottom faces depending upon the application. Block  400  also has first pin holes  416  which are positioned away from pin receiving cavities  418  and second pin holes  417  which are positioned to open into the pin receiving cavities  418  of the corner block. Pins  50  are used in these cavities to interlock courses of block together in a near vertical or positive setback orientation. The location of the pin holes provides a way to connect adjacent courses of corner blocks together. Corner block  400  can be used in a wall system with previously described block  200  as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates the manufacture of eight veneer blocks or panels  500  of the present invention formed in a mold box  10   c.  Mold box  10   c  generally includes 8 mold cavities and has opposing first and second side frame walls  2   c  and  4   c  and opposing first and second end frame walls  6   c  and  8   c.  Division plate  20   c  spans side walls  6   c  and  8   c  of mold box  10   c  while division plates  22   c,    24   c  and  26   c  span end walls  2   c  and  4   c  dividing the mold into 8 cavities enclosed by stationary side liners  30   c,  and stationary end liners  32   c.  Although not shown, a compression head is used to compact the material in the mold cavities and to aid in discharging the blocks from the mold cavities when the production cycle is complete. Typically, a lower surface of the compression head which contacts the block at the top of the open mold cavity lies in a generally horizontal plane. The compression head may have a texture or pattern to impart such texture or pattern to the portion of the block at the open top and part of the way down the sides of the veneer pieces in the mold cavity. 
       FIGS. 5B to 5E  illustrate veneer blocks or panels  500  of the present invention which have been formed in mold box  10   c.  Veneer panels  500  may be made of a rugged, weather resistant material, preferably (and typically) zero-slump, high strength, molded concrete. Thus, the veneer is typically made of higher quality concrete than the block. Other suitable materials include reinforced fibers, wood, metal, stone or polymers, including fiberglass, plastic, etc., or may also be made of high density foam or any other suitable material. Concrete strength of veneer panels may be 6,000 psi and greater, or about twice that of commonly used segmental retaining wall blocks (SRW) and four times the strength of commonly used concrete masonry units (CMU). This increased strength of the concrete increases the veneer panels resistance to detrimental weather conditions and natural forces that might affect a block more readily, thus providing the structure constructed with the veneer panels more protection from weather and other natural forces. The veneer panels  500  which are made in the mold box may all be the same or may be made of a combination of corner veneer panels and regular veneer panels. As shown in  FIG. 5A , mold box  10   c,  may be configured to produce veneer panels E, F, G and H which are all regular veneer panels and veneer panels A, B, C and D which are corner veneer panels that can be used as either regular or corner veneer panels in a wall. The difference between corner veneer panels and regular veneer panels is described in more detail hereafter. It should be noted that in the construction of a corner, corner veneer panels may be needed for an aesthetically pleasing 90 degree look. It should further be noted that in the construction of walls other than at the 90 degree corners, both types of veneer panels may be used interchangeably. Therefore, both types of veneer panels are collectively referred to as veneer panels  500  when the veneer panels can be interchangeable. It should be further noted that a different texture or pattern can be imparted to each of the veneer panels of mold box  10   c  creating 8 different veneer panels in a single mold. It should further be understood that the 8 different textures of the veneer panels may each have an up and down orientation that can be randomly used when constructing a structure giving 16 random textures from a single mold box and increasing the aesthetic value of the structure. 
       FIGS. 5B and 5C  show veneer panel  500 E made from mold box  10   c.  Veneer panel  500 E (as well as veneer panels  500 F,  500 G and  500 H) has parallel top surface  502  and bottom surface  503 , front face  504 , rear face  505 E and first and second side walls  506 E and  507 . Front face  504  and rear face  505 E each extend from top surface  502  to bottom surface  503 . Top and bottom surfaces  502  and  503  have surface  509  which angles outward from front face  504 , and surface  510  which angles inward from surface  509  towards back face  505 E. Side surfaces  506 E and  507  extend from top surface  502  to bottom surface  503  and from front face  504  to rear face  505 E. Side surfaces  506 E and  507  have surface  511  which angles outward from front face  504 , and surface  512  which angles inward from surface  511  towards back face  505 . When used in a wall, the top and bottom surfaces are interchangeable. Angled surfaces  509 ,  510 ,  511  and  512  of side surfaces  506 E and  507  and top and bottom surfaces  502  and  503  give the veneer panel a more aesthetically pleasing natural stone look by allowing the stone texture to wrap around the veneer edge in a natural generally convex geometry. The angled surfaces  509 ,  510 ,  511  and  512  of side surfaces  506 E and  507  and top and bottom surfaces  502  and  503  additionally function to give the front surface  504  more uniform spacing between veneer panels. Front face  504  may have any desired texture and  FIGS. 5J to 5L  illustrate other possible textures that may be imparted onto the front face of the veneer panel. Additionally, surfaces  509  and  511  may optionally be imparted with a surface texture as shown to improve aesthetic value of the veneer panel and give a more refined look between adjacent veneer panels in a structure. It should be noted that these textures are not limited and that any desired texture could be imparted onto the veneer panel depending upon the application and that any or all surfaces and faces of the panel may be imparted with a texture depending upon the application. 
     Back face  505 E of veneer panel  500 E has two connector channels  522  which extend a predetermined distance into the back face  505 E of veneer panel  500 E and accept a veneer connector or clip as described in further detail below. The spacing of the two veneer connector channels  522  are designed to align with the connector channels in the front and back faces of the blocks of the present invention. Connector channels  522  typically are oriented at the quarter points along the length of the veneer to optimize connection to the support block and to allow veneers to be sized smaller and larger than the support block face. 
       FIGS. 5D and 5E  illustrate veneer panel  500 A of the present invention. Corner veneer panel  500 A (as well as corner veneer panels  500 B,  500 C and  500 D) is substantially similar to veneer panel  500 E except that side surface  506 E is at a right angle (90 degrees) and perpendicular to both the front and back surfaces. Side surface  506 E is completely textured and can be used with the corner blocks of the present invention to give the right angle corner of a structure a more aesthetically pleasing and refined look. More specifically, when forming a wall, corner veneer panel  500 A will be oriented such that side surface  506 E is the surface which is exposed at the corner of the wall. Back face  505 A has three connector channels  522  and the spacing of the channels is designed to align with the connector channels in the front and back faces of the blocks of the present invention. Additionally the third connector channel is designed to align with the connector channel in the side surfaces of the corner blocks of the present invention, and thus veneer panel  500 A can be cut to the appropriate dimension when use in conjunction with the side surface of the corner block. 
       FIGS. 5F and 5G  illustrate an alternative embodiment of the back face  505 J of veneer panel  500 . Back face  505 J has projections  541 ,  542 ,  543 ,  544  and  545  which extend outward from the back face and create valleys  551 ,  552 ,  553  and  554 . Projections  542  and  544  have connector channels  522  which extend from bottom face  503  to top face  502 . The connector channels of the veneer panel are configured to align with the connector channels in the front and back faces of the blocks of the present invention and are sized to receive veneer connectors which secure the veneer panels to the wall blocks of the present invention. The valleys  551 ,  552 ,  553 , and  554  are intended to lighten the weight of the veneer pieces and to allow for free flow of moisture from out behind the veneer (i.e., the flow of rainwater). 
     Veneer panel  500  is dimensioned to be about the same size as the front face of the blocks of the present invention. Veneer panel  500  typically has a height (i.e., the distance between surfaces  502  and  503 ) of about 8 inches (200 mm), a body length (i.e., the distance from side face  506  to side face  507 ) of about 18 inches (450 mm) and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  504  to rear face  505 ) of about 3 inches (75 mm). If made of materials other than concrete, the veneers typically can have thinner widths of from about 0.75 inch (19 mm) to 3 inches (75 mm). It should be noted that when veneer panels have been attached to a front or rear face of the blocks of the present invention, the combined depth of the veneer panel and the block (front surface to rear surface of assembled unit) is sized to approximate the width of a typical SRW block used in common retaining wall construction (approximately 12 inches (305 mm)). It should be further noted that the body length of the veneer panel may be slightly larger than the body length of the front face of the block for ease in accomplishing construction of a radial structure. It should be noted that the dimensions of the veneer panels and the blocks themselves are not limiting and the veneer panels and blocks can be any size depending upon the application. 
       FIGS. 5H and 5I  illustrate veneer panel  600  of the present invention. Veneer panel  600  is substantially similar to veneer panel  500 . Back face  605  has projections  641 ,  642 ,  643 , and  644  which extend outward from the back face and create valleys  651 ,  652 , and  653 . Projections  642  and  643  have connector channels  622  which extend from bottom face  603  to top face  602 . The connector channels of the veneer panel are configured to align with the connector channels in the front and back faces of the blocks of the present invention and are sized to receive veneer connectors which secure the veneer panels to the wall blocks of the present invention. 
     Veneer panel  600  is sized to have the same surface area as the back face of the blocks of the present invention. Veneer panel  600  typically has a height (i.e., the distance between surfaces  602  and  603 ) of about 8 inches (200 mm), a body length (i.e., the distance from side face  606  to side face  607 ) of about 18 inches (457 mm) and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  604  to rear face  605 ) of about 3 inches (75 mm). It should be noted that the size and shape of the veneer panels are not limiting and any size or shape could be employed depending upon the application. 
       FIGS. 6A to 6F  illustrate an embodiment of a veneer connector or clip  700   a  of the present invention and various examples of how the veneer clip can be attached to veneer panels and blocks of the present invention. Veneer clip  700   a  may be made of an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer clip has shaft  702   a  connected to shaft  704   a  by bridge  703   a.  Shafts  702   a  and  704   a  have vertical friction ribs  705  and horizontal friction ribs  706  which help to secure the veneer clip into the connector channels of the veneer panels and faces of the blocks by abrading or compressing as they are slid into the connector channel. As can be seen in the exploded view in  FIG. 6B  veneer clips are received and secured in connector channels  122  of block  100   a  and in connector channels  522  of veneer panel  500 E. In this manner veneer panels may be attached to both the front and rear faces of the blocks, as shown. As best seen in  FIG. 6C , veneer clip  700   a  may be first placed into the connector channels of the block and then inserted into the connector channels of the veneer panels or may be first placed into the connector channels of the veneer panels and then inserted into the connector channels of the block, securing the veneer panel to the block. As shown in  FIG. 6D , the bridge of the veneer clip is sized to optimize the connection of the veneer panel to the block with as little space as possible to allow for the most secure fit. However, in some applications it may be desirable to allow the bridge of the veneer clip a larger width so that some space is maintained between the attached veneer panel and the face of the block so that any moisture or water that accumulates in between the veneer panel and the face of the block is allowed to flow freely down and out of the space so it does not get trapped. The trapping of water, especially in colder climates, can lead to the water freezing and possibly loosening or dislodging the veneer panel from the block. An alternative to the added spacing is to provide a surface of the veneer or block with an uneven, ribbed, or fluted surface. This will break the adhesion bond of the water and avoid capillary action between the two unit surfaces and allow a channel for the water to come out.  FIGS. 6E and 6F  show the connector clip  700   a  used to connect veneer panels to a corner block  300   a.    FIG. 6E  is an exploded view which shows a regular veneer panel  500 K and a corner veneer panel  500 L connected to corner block  300   a.  Veneer panel  500 L has been cut to match the size of side face  306 . 
       FIG. 6G  illustrates a different embodiment of the veneer clip of the present invention. Veneer clip  700   b  has shaft  702   b  attached to shaft  704   b  by bridge  703   b.  Shafts  702   b  and  704   b  have vertical friction ribs  705  and horizontal friction ribs  706  which help secure the veneer clips into the connector channels of the block (front face  104  of block  100   b  in  FIGS. 6H and 6I ) and into the connector channels of the veneer panel (veneer panel  500 A in  FIG. 6I ) connecting and securing the veneer panel to the block. Shaft  702   b  has projection  707  which extends above the top face of the block as seen in  FIG. 6H  when veneer clip  700   b  is received in receiving channel  122  of block  100   b.  With projection  707  extending above top surface  102  of block  100   b  in a first course of blocks it may be received into receiving pocket  120  of a block  100   b  in the upper adjacent course of blocks. Projection  707  thus acts like an interlocking pin which helps to secure successive and adjacent courses of block to one another, and may also be used to connect geogrid to the structural wall block element. Veneer clip  700   b  may be used as the sole means of connecting adjacent courses of blocks together as the wall is built or may be used in combination with pins  50  to connect adjacent courses of blocks depending on the requirements of the wall. 
       FIGS. 6J to 6L  illustrate another embodiment of a veneer connector or clip  700   c  of the present invention. Veneer clip  700   c  may be made of an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer clip has shaft  702   c  connected to shaft  704   c  by bridge  703   c.  Shafts  702   c  and  704   c  have vertical friction ribs  705  which help to secure the veneer clip into the connector channels of the veneer panels and faces of the blocks. As can be seen in the exploded view in  FIG. 6K  veneer clips are received and secured in connector channels  122  of block  100   b  and in connector channels  522  of veneer panel  500 J. Veneer clip  700   c  may be first placed into the connector channels of the block and then inserted into the connector channels of the veneer panels or may be first placed into the connector channels of the veneer panels and then inserted into the connector channels of the block, securing the veneer panel to the block. The bridge of the veneer clip is sized to optimize the connection of the veneer panel to the block with as little space as possible to allow for the most secure fit. The valleys of the back face of veneer panel  500 J allow a width between the face of the block and the veneer panel so that any moisture or water that accumulates in between the veneer panel and the face of the block is allowed to flow freely down and out of the space so it does not get trapped. The trapping of water, especially in colder climates, can lead to the water freezing and possibly loosening or dislodging the veneer panel from the block. The valleys of the back face of panel  500 J also reduce the weight of the veneer panel and reduce the cost of manufacturing because less material is used to form the veneer panel. 
       FIG. 6L  illustrates clip  700   c  used in combination with veneer panel  500  and block  200 . 
       FIGS. 6M to 6P  illustrate another embodiment of a veneer connector or clip  700  of the present invention. Veneer clip  700   d  may be made of an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer clip has shaft  702   d  connected to bifurcated horizontal prongs  709 . Shaft  702   d  has friction ribs  706  which help to secure the veneer clip into the connector channels of the veneer panels.  FIGS. 6N to 6P  illustrate veneer clip  700   d  with shaft  702   d  already inserted into connector channel  522  of veneer panel  500 . The bifurcated horizontal prongs  709  of veneer clip  700   d  are inserted into an angled connector channel embodiment of the block face. As the bifurcated horizontal prongs enter the angled connector channel  1022 , the prongs compress as they enter the narrowing area of the connector channel. Once the bifurcated prongs are inserted completely through the narrowing portion, the connector channel widens and the bifurcated prongs expand, securing the clip and veneer panel to the face of the block. Tabs  710  on bifurcated prongs  709  add additional connectivity by interlocking the prongs into the connector channel and not allowing them to be pulled out back through the connecter channel once inserted. In this manner the structural wall can first be built without the placement of any veneer panels or veneer clips. A major benefit to using this type of connector is that the structural wall can be built with the wall blocks being built into the wall, without having veneer panels attached. Veneer panels can be added at any point during the wall assembly. This can help in scheduling of materials at the job site, protection of the veneer elements from general construction damage, or to make building the structural wall an easier job due to lightening the weight of the wall blocks being placed into the wall. Veneer clips may be slid into the connector channel of the veneer panel and then the veneer panel and clip can be snapped into the connector channels on the face of the wall. It should be noted that the shaft of veneer clip could be received in the connector channel of the wall block and that the bifurcated prongs could be received onto the connector channel of the veneer panel. 
     Non-bifurcated veneer connectors can be added on to the wall blocks without veneer panels to lighten the weight of the blocks during the wall construction. The veneer panels can then be added on to the wall blocks of the wall by slipping the veneers down over the top ends of the veneer clips at any point during construction. 
       FIGS. 6Q and 6R  illustrate another embodiment of a veneer connector or clip  700   e  of the present invention. Veneer clip  700   e  may be made of an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer clip has shaft  702   e  connected to bifurcated horizontal prongs  709 . Shaft  702   e  is designed to be molded into either the face of the block or the back face of the veneer panel, leaving only the bifurcated horizontal prongs exposed. Bifurcated horizontal prongs can then be received into the corresponding connector channels of the block faces or veneer panel, depending upon the application. The compression of the prongs as the prongs are first received in the narrower area of the connector channel and expand as the channel widens serves to secure the prongs into the connector channel, i.e., securing the connector and veneer panel to the face of the block. In this manner the structural wall can first be built without the placement of any veneer panels or veneer clips. After the structural wall has been completed veneer clips may be slid into the connector channel of the veneer panel and then the veneer panel and clip can be snapped into the connector channels on the face of the wall. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates straight wall  800   a  constructed from the blocks  100   a  and veneer panels  500 . Generally, when constructing a wall, a trench is excavated to a pre-selected depth and backfilled with a level base BB of granular material such as crushed stone or sand. A concrete structural footer F is then poured and allowed to set. A base layer is then placed and leveled onto the footer. The blocks are placed side by side with bottom face  103  facing downward and front face  104  facing outward with the next adjacent block  100   a  following the same block orientation with front face  104  facing outward in each course of block. Once the base layer is laid, veneer clips  700   a  are inserted into the connector channels of the front faces of the blocks facing outward (exposed faces of the blocks) in the base layer of the wall. Vertical friction ribs  705  and horizontal friction ribs  706  of veneer clip  700   a  engage the connector channels and securely and tightly lodge the clip into the channel. It should be noted that both sides of the wall/base layer may be outward facing or exposed. After insertion of the clips  700   a  into the front faces  104  of the wall blocks, the remaining exposed shafts of the veneer clips  700   a  are inserted into the receiving channels  522  of veneer panels  500 . Veneer panels  500  receive the exposed shafts of the clips that were placed in the front face  104  of blocks  100   a,  securely attaching the veneer panel to the block. It should be noted that if the base level is below grade the veneer panels and clips need not be utilized until there is a subsequent course of the wall that is visible. It should further be noted that the blocks may have the veneer panels attached to the block before the blocks are used in construction of the structure, in this manner the block and veneer panel come as one structure to the construction site or could be assembled at the site before being placed, the block and veneer panel being approximately the same size as a common wall block of the art, with construction of the structure proceeding like that of a common sized wall block. It should also be noted that the wall could be constructed to the desired height with the clips inserted as the wall is built and then the veneer panels could be attached to the exposed clips of the wall after the structure has been built to the desired height. 
     Horizontal reinforcing member  80  may then be laid upon the base course of blocks and pins  50  may be placed in the pin holes of the top surface  102  of block  100   a  of the base course. Vertical reinforcing members  90  may be inserted into cores  114  of block  100   a  or through the side void opening  115  created by the placement of two adjacent blocks  100   a.  Alternatively, vertical reinforcing members  90  could have been placed into the footer while the concrete was setting, securing the vertical reinforcing members to the footer and adding the ability to resist overturning loads such as wind and impacts. When building an internally reinforced wall the pins could be left out and the concrete and reinforcing members will connect all the blocks together. The receiving channel  130  in the bottom face  103  of blocks  100   a  of the subsequent adjacent course receive and secure the horizontal reinforcing member  80  giving the structure increased strength and durability. The pin heads  52  from pinholes of the base layer are received and secured in the receiving pockets  120   a/b/c  and/or  120   d  of the subsequent adjacent course of blocks  100   a.  Once the next course is laid the veneer clips  700   a  and veneer panels  500  are attached and secured to the blocks  100   a  of the course (if the panels have not already been secured to the desired block face) and then subsequent courses of the wall are laid, including the placement of interlocking pins and horizontal and vertical reinforcing members, until the desired height of the wall is achieved. Once the desired height has been reached concrete may be poured through the core and side void openings to further strengthen the structure and a capping layer may be utilized for a more finished and aesthetically pleasing look. It should be noted that wall blocks  100   b  and  200  may also be used as described in the construction of such a wall with veneer panels  500 . 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross section of a parapet retaining wall  800   b  made with block  100   a  as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1F . Retaining wall courses  810   b  of the wall  800   b  are laid so that front face  104  is facing outward or is exposed allowing for the set back shown due to the pinning system of the present invention whereby the head of a pin of a lower course is received in the setback receiving pockets  120   a  and  120   b  of the upper adjacent course of block. Retaining wall courses of wall  800   b  may also utilize geogrid G which can be received and secured in the receiving channel  130  of bottom surface  103  of wall block  100   a  or can be secured to the pinning system of the retaining wall. Cantilever footer F is poured near the top of the retaining wall courses and vertical reinforcing members  90  are allowed to set into footer F. 
     Parapet wall courses  820   b  of wall  800   b  can be laid with front face  104  facing the same way as blocks  100   a  of retaining wall courses  810   b  or may be placed with back face  105  facing the same way as the blocks of retaining wall courses  810   b  because both surfaces are exposed and covered with veneer panels  500 . In this manner, the orientation of the blocks in parapet wall courses  820   b  is not as important as the placement of the pins so that the head  52  of the pin is received into receiving pockets  120   c  and  120   d  to allow for no setback. If internally reinforced like the parapet wall shown, the builder can choose to eliminate the course to course connecting pins in the parapet section and rely on the internal reinforcing concrete grout and reinforcing members for block connection. Capping layer  840  gives parapet retaining wall  800   b  an aesthetically pleasing finished look. 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates a double sided wall  800   c  with a 90 degree corner formed with wall blocks  100   a  and corner block  300   a  and veneer panels  500  of the present invention. This wall is constructed utilizing the pinning system of the present invention whereby no setback is allowed and thus the pin head  52  of a lower course of blocks is received in receiving pockets  120   c  and  120   d  of the upper adjacent course of block  100   a.  Wall  800   c  is constructed with all of front faces  104  of block  100   a  being orientated towards the outside of corner wall  800   c  while all of the back faces  105  are orientated towards the inside of the corner wall. Back faces  105  will have a space between each adjacent back face  105  in a course of blocks. Corner block  300   a  is laid with front face  304  being utilized in wall segment  810   c  in the base layer and then in every other layer above the base layer. On the next adjacent course, corner block  300   a  is laid with front face  304  being utilized in wall segment  820   c.  Veneer panels  500  may be secured to the front face  104  of the wall blocks as described above with each individual veneer panel  500  being attached to a front face  104  of each block  100   a.  Corner veneer panel  500 M may be the same dimension as the area of the front face (or back face) of corner block  300   a  and is attached to the front face  304  of corner block  300   b  on the outside of the corner wall. Side face  306  or  307  of corner block  300   a  that is exposed to the outside of wall  800   c  also utilizes corner veneer panel  500 M that is connected with veneer clip  700   a  and is either field cut to the proper dimensional requirement as needed or may be pre-formed as a second optional veneer panel for use in constructing the wall with a 90 degree corner. 
     Veneer panels  500  may be attached to the back faces  105  of the inside corner wall in an off-set manner whereby a veneer clip  700   a  from the back face  105  of one wall block  100   a  and one veneer clip  700   a  from the back face  105  of a second adjacent block  100   a  may each engage the connector channels  522  from the same veneer panel. Back face  305  (which is the same size and area as that of front face  304 ) of corner block  300   a  of the inside surface of the corner wall  800   c  may be attached to corner veneer panel  500 A and the same veneer panel  500 M may be attached to the back face  105  of an adjacent block  100 . It should be noted that the positioning of the veneer panels on the wall is not limiting and that an individual veneer panel may be attached to two adjacent blocks on the outside of wall  800   c  and that one veneer panel  500  may be utilized for each individual back face  105  of the inside surface of corner wall  800   c  as well, depending upon the application. 
       FIGS. 7D and 7E  illustrate a single sided wall  800   d  with a 90 degree corner formed with wall blocks  100   a  and corner block  300   a  and veneer panels  500  of the present invention. This wall is constructed utilizing the pinning system of the present invention whereby setback is allowed and thus the pin head  52  of a lower course of blocks is received in receiving pockets  120   a  and  120   b  of the upper adjacent course of block  100   a.  The setback of the wall creates a slight decrease in the length of each block course in each wall segment  810   d  and  820   d  as more and more courses are added. To counteract this decrease in course length of each wall segment, a block  100   a  from each course must be field cut to the appropriate reduced length and accordingly the veneer panel  500  that is to be attached to the field cut block must also be cut to the appropriate dimension. The field cut blocks and veneer panels are highlighted in both wall segments of  FIGS. 7D and 7E . 
       FIG. 7F  illustrates a double sided, freestanding pilaster wall  800   e  formed from blocks  100   a  and  300   a  and veneer panels  500  of the present invention. Wall  800   e  is formed with all of the front faces  104  of blocks  100   a  orientated facing outward one side of the wall and all of the back faces  105  orientated facing outward the opposite side of the wall. Back faces  105  will have a space between each adjacent back face of blocks in a course. Corner block  300   a  is laid at a desired location along the wall forming pilaster  850 . Veneer panels  500  may be secured to the front face  104  of the wall blocks  100   a  as described above with each individual veneer panel  500  being attached to an individual front face  104  of each block  100 . Veneer panel  500  may be the same dimension as the area of the front face (or back face) of corner block  300   a  and is attached individually to the front face  304  of corner block  300   a  on a desired side of the wall forming the pilaster  850 . The side face  306  or  307  of corner block  300   a  utilized in the formation of the pilaster is attached to corner veneer panel  500 M that is connected with veneer clip  700   a  and is either field cut to the proper dimensional requirement as needed or may be pre-formed as a second optional veneer panel for use in constructing the pilaster wall  800   e.  Veneer panels  500  may be attached to the back faces  105  of the opposite side of the pilaster wall  800   e  in an off-set manner whereby a veneer clip  700   a  from the back face  105  of one wall block  100  and one veneer clip  700   a  from the back face  105  of a second adjacent block  100  may each engage the receiving channels  522  from the same veneer panel. It should be understood that one veneer panel  500  may be utilized for each individual back face  105  of the opposite side of wall  800   e  as well, depending upon the application. It should be further understood that the positioning of the veneer panels on the wall is not limiting and that a veneer panel may be attached to two adjacent blocks on either side of the exposed wall. It should be understood that one veneer panel  500  may be utilized for each individual back face  105  of the opposite side of wall  800   e  as well, depending upon the application. It should be also noted that the location of the pilaster is not limiting and that multiple pilasters could be placed on one or both sides of the wall being constructed. 
       FIG. 7G  illustrates straight retaining wall  800   f  constructed from blocks  100   a  and veneer panels  500  and  600 . Blocks  100   a  are placed side by side with bottom face  103  facing downward then alternating front face  104  facing outward with the next adjacent block having back face  105  facing outward in each block course. Veneer panels  500  have the same surface area as front face  104  and are attached to the exposed front face  104  of retaining wall  800   f.  Veneer panels  600  have the same surface area as back face  105  and are attached to the exposed back face  105  of retaining wall  800   f.    
       FIG. 7H  illustrates a curvilinear wall  800   g  formed from blocks  100   a  and veneer panels  500  and  600  of the present invention. Wall  800   g  is formed with all front faces  104  of blocks  100   a  orientated facing outward one side of the wall and all back faces  105  orientated facing outward the opposite side of the wall with no space between the adjacent back faces which causes a consistent and constant radial curve to the wall. Veneer panels  500 , having the same rear face dimensions as front face  104 , may be secured to the front face  104  of the wall blocks  100   a  as described above with each individual veneer panel  500  being attached to an individual front face  104  of each block  100 . Veneer panels  600 , having the same rear face dimensions as back face  105 , may be secured to the back face  105  of the wall blocks  100   a  as described above with each individual veneer panel  600  being attached to an individual back face  105  of each block  100   a.    
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a straight wall  900   a  formed from blocks  200  and veneer panels  500 . Wall  900   a  is formed with all of the front faces  204  of blocks  200  orientated facing outward one side of the wall and all of the back faces  205  orientated facing outward the opposite side of the wall. Back faces  205  will have a space between each adjacent block. Veneer panels  500  may be secured to the front face  204  of the wall blocks  200  by inserting veneer clip  700   c  into the receiving channels  222  of front faces  204  and back faces  205  with each individual veneer panel  500  being attached to an individual front face  204  and individual back face  205 . 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a wall  900   b  with a 90 degree corner formed with wall blocks  200  and  400  and veneer panel  500  of the present invention. Wall  900   b  includes wall segments  910   a  and  910   b.  Wall  900   b  is formed with all front faces  204  of block  200  being orientated towards the outside of the wall  900   b  while all back faces  105  are orientated towards the inside (opposite) of the corner wall  900   b.  Back faces  105  will have a space between each adjacent block  200 . Corner block  400  is laid with front face  404  being utilized in wall segment  910   b  in the base layer and then in every other layer above the base layer. On the next adjacent course corner block  400  is laid with front face  404  being utilized in wall segment  910   a.  Veneer panels  500  may be secured to the front face  204  of the wall blocks as described above with each individual veneer panel  500  being attached to a front face  204  of each block  200  by means of clip  700   c . Corner veneer panel  500 A may be the same dimension as the area of the front face (or back face) of corner block  400  and is attached individually to the front face  404  of corner block  400  on the outside of the corner wall  900   b.  The side face  406  or  407  of corner block  400  that is exposed to the outside of wall  900   b  has corner veneer panel  500 A that is connected with veneer clip  700   c  and is either field cut to the proper dimensional requirement as needed or may be pre-formed as a second optional veneer panel for use in constructing the wall with a 90 degree corner. 
     Veneer panels  500  may be attached to the back faces  205  of the inside corner wall in an off-set manner as described whereby a veneer clip  700   c  from the back face  205  of one wall block  200  and one veneer clip  700   c  from the back face  205  of a second adjacent block  200  may each engage the receiving channels  522  from the same veneer panel. Corner block  400  may be attached to veneer  500  and the same veneer panel  500  may be attached to the back face  205  of an adjacent block  200 . It should be noted that the positioning of the veneer panels on the wall is not limiting and that one veneer panel  500  may be utilized for each individual back face  205  of the inside corner wall  900   b  and that a veneer panel may be attached to two adjacent blocks on the outside of corner wall  900   b  as well, depending upon the application. 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a curvilinear wall  900   c  formed from blocks  200  and veneer panels  500  and  600  of the present invention. Wall  900   c  is formed with all front faces  204  of blocks  200  orientated facing outward one side of the wall and all back faces  205  orientated facing outward the opposite side of the wall with no space between the back faces which causes a consistent and constant radial curve to the wall. Veneer panels  500  may be secured to the front face  204  of the wall blocks  200  as described above with each individual veneer panel  500  being attached to an individual front face  204  of each block  200 . Veneer panels  600  may be secured to the back face  205  of the wall blocks  200  as described above with each individual veneer panel  600  being attached to an individual back face  205  of each block  200 . 
     It should be noted that the veneer panels that are connected to the wall may have varying shapes and sizes depending upon the application. For example, a veneer panel may be sized to encompass the surface area of multiple faces of adjacent blocks, either vertically adjacent, horizontally adjacent or both. Further the veneer panels may be used with random sizes to create a random aesthetically pleasing surface to a wall. Further, it should be noted that the size and shape of the blocks are not limiting either and that any size or shape may be employed depending upon the application. 
     Although particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done for purposes of illustration only, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the following appended claims. In particular, it is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For instance, the choices of materials or variations in shapes are believed to be a matter of routine for a person of ordinary skill in the art with knowledge of the embodiments disclosed herein.