Patent Publication Number: US-10760281-B2

Title: Veneer connectors, wall blocks, veneer panels for wall blocks, and walls

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/653,796, filed Jul. 19, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/365,057, filed Jul. 21, 2016, 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, veneer connectors, and walls made from such blocks. In particular, this invention relates to wall blocks and veneer connectors that attach 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 are made of 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 machine textures built into the manufacturing equipment to impart a natural stone look to the concrete. Colored concrete in various forms and methods also is employed to mimic the look of natural stone. 
     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. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to wall blocks, veneer panels, and veneer connectors, and a method of constructing walls, retaining walls, free-standing walls or fence systems from the wall blocks, veneer connectors, 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. 
     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 
       Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a wall block of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the block; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the block; and 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the block. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the block; a line showing the cross-section is shown in  FIG. 2  and is labeled “ 5 ”. 
         FIG. 6  is an expanded views of a connector channel of the block. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a connection pin. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a veneer connector of the present invention, 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the veneer connector, and 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the veneer connector. 
         FIG. 11  is a break-away schematic view of a veneer connector of the present invention disposed in the connector channel of a block of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective front and side views, respectively, of a veneer panel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of two connected blocks of the invention with their attached veneers. 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of another alternative wall block of the present invention and 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the block. 
         FIG. 17  is a left side perspective view of an alternative veneer connector of the present invention, 
         FIG. 18  is a right side perspective view the veneer connector, and 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the veneer connector. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of a curved wall built with the blocks, veneer connectors, and veneers of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of an alternative veneer connector of the present invention, 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the veneer connector, and 
         FIG. 23  is a top perspective view of the veneer connector. 
         FIG. 24  is a break-away schematic view of a veneer connector of the present invention disposed in the connector channel of a block of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are perspective front and side views, respectively, of a veneer panel 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 dry cast or wet cast 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, typically in a running or half bond pattern and not in a stacked pattern. 
     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 that comes out through the back face and into the backfilled soil at desired intervals. 
     The blocks of this invention may be symmetrical about a vertical plane of symmetry. The blocks may optionally be provided with pin holes, pin receiving cavities, pin receiving channels, or cores which serve 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, pin receiving cavities, pin receiving channels, or cores are selected to maximize the strength of the block, as described by reference to the drawings. 
     The veneers or veneer panels of this invention may be comprised of any suitable material such as high strength concrete, dry cast or wet cast concrete, polymers, composites, natural stone, metal, wood, glass, porcelain or a mineral aggregate in fiberglass. An alternative veneer is comprised of natural stone with a concrete base or backing. 
     High strength concrete (6,000 psi (41,000 kPa) and higher) may also be used in the making of the veneer panels which are compacted under vibration to make the veneer panels 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 may be 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 manmade. 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. 
       FIGS. 1 to 6  show features of wall block  100 . Block  100  is made of a rugged, weather resistant material, preferably dry cast or wet cast molded concrete. Other suitable materials include plastic, reinforced fibers, wood, metal and stone. Block  100  can be made by methods known in the art. Block  100  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 . Side walls  106  and  107  extend from top face  102  to bottom face  103  and from front face  104  to rear face  105 . A core  108  extends from top face  102  to bottom face  103 . 
     Front face  104  has connector channels  122  for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the top face  102  to the bottom face  103  of the block  100 . Each connector channel opens into the top face  102  of the block  100  and the front face  104  or the rear face  105  of the block  100  and not opening into the front face  104  or the rear face  105  of the block  100  for the entire distance from the top face  102  to the bottom face  103  of the block. Each connector channel  122  comprises a lower surface  123  in the form of a ramp that extends from the front face  104  or the rear face  105  of the block  100  to a back surface  124  of the connector channel, the ramp  123  rising from the front face  104  or rear face  105  of the block  100  to the back surface  124  of the connector channel  122 . The connector channel  122  forms a main connection space  125  and a narrower neck portion space  126 , the narrower neck portion space  126  being closer to the face that the connector channel  122  opens onto (front face  104  or rear face  105  of the block  100 ). See  FIG. 6 . 
     The top face  102  of the wall block  100  comprises exactly four pin holes  116  and  117 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the pin holes  116  and  117  do not extend to the bottom face  103  and the diameter of pin holes  116 ,  117  tapers towards the bottom face  103 . Pin holes  116 ,  117  are sized to receive pin  50 . The first pin holes  116  are positioned slightly set back towards rear face  105  and towards side walls  106  and  107 , relative to second pin holes  117 . Second pin holes  117  are located closer to front face  104 , relative to first pin holes  116 . The location of the pin holes forms two pairs of pinholes located around the central core  108  of the block and provides a way to connect courses of block to another course in a running or half bond pattern to strengthen the wall and structure being built and also provides a way to offset the vertical orientation when stacking of the blocks when constructing a wall depending upon the application. First pin holes  116  provide increased setback as compared to that provided by second pin holes  117 . 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. The wall block comprises pin receiving cavities  130  that extend between the top face  102  and bottom face  103 . 
     Connection pin  50 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , has a shaft  51  which is placed into pin holes  116 ,  117  of a top face  102  in a lower course of blocks when constructing a wall. A top portion of pin  50  projects from the top face  102  of the block  100  of the lower course and is received in one of the pin receiving cavities  130  that extends between the top face  102  and bottom face  103  of a block  100  in an upper course of a constructed structure. The shaft  51  of the pin  50  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 a pin receiving cavity  130  of a block in an upper course. 
     Though the blocks illustrated in the  FIGS. 1 to 6  may have various dimensions, block  100  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 wall  106  and side wall  107  at front face  104 ) of about 18 inches (457 mm), a back face length (i.e., the distance from side wall  106  and side wall  107  at rear face  105 ) of about 14.84 inches (377 mm), and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  104  to rear face  105 ) of about 12 inches (300 mm). 
     It should be noted that front face and rear face are relative terms when constructing a wall from blocks  100  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. 
       FIGS. 8 to 10  illustrate a veneer connector or clip  400  of the present invention. Veneer clip  400  may be made of an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer clip  400  has support  402  which includes a plate  403  which has a flat surface  406  that connects to bifurcated horizontal prongs  409 . The support  402  also includes a connecting member  404  and a shaft  405 . Plate  403  is connected to connecting member  404  which is connected to shaft  405 . Stops  412  are connected to the plate  403  and are located above and below the bifurcated horizontal prongs. The stops  412  have a shorter horizontal length than the bifurcated horizontal prongs  409 . The stops  412  also have a first planar surface  420  that extends from the flat surface  406  of the support  402  and is perpendicular to the flat surface  406 . Veneer clip  400  may be symmetrical about its central x, y and z axes. A second planar surface  421  extends from the flat surface  406  of the support  402  and forms an acute angle with the flat surface  406 . A third planar surface  413  connects between the first  420  and second  421  surfaces and forms an obtuse angle with the first planar surface  420 . The third planar surface  413  is oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to the flat surface  406  of the support  402 . 
     In use, the shaft  405  can be placed in a connector channel of a veneer and the bifurcated horizontal prongs and stops can be placed in a connector channel of a block. The shaft  405  and the connecting member  404  could also be embedded within a veneer. The shaft is adapted to being used in a circular connector channel, but other forms can be used. 
     In practice, after the veneer connector has been attached to a veneer, the bifurcated horizontal prongs  409  of veneer clip  400  are inserted into a connector channel  122  of a block, either slid on from above or pushed on horizontally. In the push on method, as the bifurcated horizontal prongs enter the connector channel  122 , the prongs compress as they enter the narrow neck portion space  126  of the connector channel  122 . Once the bifurcated prongs are inserted completely through the narrow neck portion space, the connector channel  122  widens into the main connection space  125  and the bifurcated prongs  409  expand, securing the veneer connector and the veneer panel to the block. Tabs  410  on bifurcated prongs  409  add additional connectivity by interlocking the prongs into the connector channel and not allowing them to be pulled out back through the connector channel once inserted.  FIG. 11  shows a portion of a veneer connector  400  after it has been inserted into connector channel  122 . The attached veneer is not shown. Prongs  409  and stops  412  are disposed in the connector channel, with angled surface  413  of the veneer connector resting on ramp  123  of connector channel  122 . 
     In this manner the structural wall can first be built without the placement of any veneers. A major benefit to using this type of connector is that the structural wall can be built without having veneer panels attached. Veneers can be added at any point during the wall assembly. This can help in scheduling of materials at the job site, protection of the veneers 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. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate a natural stone or concrete veneer  500  having a front face  514  and a rear face  515 . This veneer  500  could comprise natural stones  505  that are supported on a concrete base  510 . Alternatively, the veneer  500  could comprise concrete shaped to look like natural stone. The veneer  500  can have any appearance desired. Connector  400  can be attached to the rear face  515  of the veneer  500  by placing shaft  405  in veneer connector channel  522 . Veneer panel  500  usually is dimensioned to be about the same size as the front face of the blocks of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  shows two blocks  100  with their rear faces  105  connected together with a connector  400  or a similar connector. Veneers  501  are connected to the front faces  104  of the blocks with connectors  400 . Multiple blocks  100  could be connected in this manner to form a wall with veneers on both sides. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show features of wall block  800 . Block  800  is similar to block  100  and can be used in much the same way. Block  800  is made of a rugged, weather resistant material, preferably dry cast or wet cast molded concrete. Other suitable materials include plastic, reinforced fibers, wood, metal and stone. Block  800  can be made be made by methods known in the art. Block  800  has parallel top face  802  and bottom face  803 , front face  804 , rear face  805  and first and second side walls  806  and  807 . Front face  804  and rear face  805  each extend from top face  802  to bottom face  803 . Side walls  806  and  807  extend from top face  802  to bottom face  803  and from front face  804  to rear face  805 . Two cores  808  extend from top face  802  to bottom face  803 . 
     Front face  804  has connector channels  822  for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the top face  802  to the bottom face  803  of the block  800 . Each connector channel opens into the top face  802  of the block  800  and the front face  804  or the rear face  805  of the block  800  and not opening into the front face  804  or the rear face  805  of the block  800  for the entire distance from the top face  802  to the bottom face  803  of the block. Each connector channel  822  comprises a lower surface  823  in the form of a ramp that extends from the front face  804  or the rear face  805  of the block  800  to a back surface  824  of the connector channel, the ramp  823  rising from the front face  804  or rear face  805  of the block  800  to the back surface  824  of the connector channel  822 . The connector channel  822  forms a main connection space  825  and a narrower neck portion space  826 , the narrower neck portion space  826  being closer to the face that the connector channel  822  opens onto (front face  804  or rear face  805  of the block  800 ). 
     The top face  802  of the wall block  800  comprises exactly four pin holes  816  and  817 . Similar to pin holes  116  and  117 , the pin holes  816  and  817  do not extend to the bottom face  803  and the diameter of pin holes  816 ,  817  taper towards the bottom face  803 . Pin holes  816 ,  817  are sized to receive pin  50 . The first pin holes  816  are positioned slightly set back towards rear face  805  and towards side walls  806  and  807 , relative to second pin holes  817 . Second pin holes  817  are located closer to front face  804 , relative to first pin holes  816 . The location of the pin holes forms two pairs of pinholes 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 vertical orientation when stacking of the blocks when constructing a wall depending upon the application. First pin holes  816  provide increased setback as compared to that provided by second pin holes  817 . 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. The wall block comprises pin receiving cavities  830  that extend between the top face  802  and bottom face  803 . Blocks  800  can be used to construct walls as described above for blocks  100 . 
     Though the blocks illustrated in the  FIGS. 15 and 16  may have various dimensions, block  800  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 wall  106  and side wall  107  at front face  104 ) of about 18 inches (457 mm), a back face length (i.e., the distance from side wall  106  and side wall  107  at rear face  105 ) of about 11 inches (279 mm), and a width (i.e., the distance from front face  104  to rear face  105 ) of about 21 inches (533 mm). 
       FIGS. 17 to 19  illustrate a veneer connector or clip  1000  of the present invention. Veneer clip  1000  may be made of metal such as steel, an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer connector  1000  comprises exactly two semi-cylindrical portions  1005  adapted to being placed in a connector channel of a veneer or a block, the two semi-cylindrical portions  1005  being connected by a flat sheet portion  1010 , and two tab portions  1020 , each tab portion being perpendicular to the flat sheet portion  1010 . The veneer connector comprises a top edge  1050  and a bottom edge  1060  and one tab  1020  is adjacent the top edge  1050  and one tab  1020  is adjacent the bottom edge  1060 . Each tab portion  1020  is equidistant from the two semi-cylindrical portions. Each semi-cylindrical portion comprises a partial circular cylinder portion that includes more than 150 degrees of a circle when viewed from immediately above the top edge  1050 . Each semi-cylindrical portion also comprises a non-cylindrical portion  1080  distal from the flat portion  1010  and the partial circular cylinder portion  1070 . The veneer connector can be formed by cutting and bending sheet metal. 
     Veneer connector  1000  can be used with blocks as described in this application or any appropriate blocks. Veneer connector  1000  is particularly preferred in applications where the veneer is heavy, e.g. 200 pounds (90 kg). In this use, the veneer connector will be made of metal, preferably steel. A particularly preferred veneer for use with the veneer connector is a heavy, wet cast concrete veneer. The veneer is optionally reinforced with rebar or a metal mesh to strengthen the veneer. To increase the stability of walls made with heavy veneers, one or more blocks may be attached to each other to support each veneer. For instance two or more blocks  100  could be attached front face  104  to rear face  105  (or front face to front face or rear face to rear face) using veneer connectors  1000 , and then a heavy veneer could be attached to the outermost block  100  using veneer connectors  1000 . Optionally, one heavy veneer can be attached to two or more blocks  100 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a curved wall  1300  constructed from blocks  100 , veneers  1100 , and veneer connectors  1000 . Wall  1300  also includes capstones  1150 . Veneers  1100  are heavy, wet cast concrete veneers and they are attached to the blocks  100  with the veneer connectors  1000 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , to increase the stability of the wall, some of the blocks  100  are attached front face  104  to rear face  105  (or front face to front face or rear face to rear face) using veneer connectors  1000 , and then a heavy veneer  1100  is attached to the outermost block  100  using veneer connectors  1000 . This is true using combinations of blocks  100 - 100 ,  100 - 800 ,  800 - 800 , or any other suitable blocks. 
       FIGS. 21 to 24  illustrate a veneer connector or clip  2400  of the present invention. Veneer clip  2400  may be made of an injection molded plastic or any other suitable material. Veneer clip  2400  has support plate  2402  connected to bifurcated horizontal prongs  2409 . Stops  2412  are connected to the support plate  2402  and are located above and below the bifurcated horizontal prongs. The stops  2412  have a shorter horizontal length than the bifurcated horizontal prongs  2409 . The stops  2412  also have angled surface  2413 . 
     Support plate  2402  has oval shaped holes  2415  and rectangular holes  2420 , each hole  2415 ,  2420  having a tapered feature in that it becomes narrower as it reaches closer to rear face  2425 . Oval shaped holes  2415  and rectangular shaped holes  2420  allow adhesive to flow up into them when the veneer connector  2400  is attached to a veneer by an adhesive compatible for a permanent bond with the veneer material, thus strengthening the bond between the veneer connector  2400  and the veneer. In practice, excess adhesive is applied to the veneer or the rear face  2425  of the veneer connector  2400  and the veneer and veneer connector are then pressed together. 
     The support  2402  could take other forms such as a shaft or other shape embedded within a veneer. 
     In practice, after the veneer connector has been attached to a veneer, the bifurcated horizontal prongs  2409  of veneer clip  2400  are inserted into a connector channel  122 ,  822  of a block, either slid on from above or pushed on horizontally. In the push on method, as the bifurcated horizontal prongs enter the connector channel  122 ,  822  the prongs compress as they enter the narrow neck portion space  126 ,  826  of the connector channel  122 ,  822 . Once the bifurcated prongs are inserted completely through the narrow neck portion space, the connector channel  122 ,  822  widens into the main connection space  125 ,  825  and the bifurcated prongs  2409  expand, securing the veneer connector and the veneer panel to the block. Tabs  2410  on bifurcated prongs  2409  add additional connectivity by interlocking the prongs into the connector channel and not allowing them to be pulled out back through the connector channel once inserted.  FIG. 24  shows a portion of a veneer connector  2400  after it has been inserted into connector channel  122 . The attached veneer is not shown. Prongs  2409  and stops  2412  are disposed in the connector channel, with angled surface  2413  of the veneer connector resting on ramp  123  of connector channel  122 . 
     In this manner the structural wall can first be built without the placement of any veneers. A major benefit to using this type of connector is that the structural wall can be built without having veneer panels attached. Veneers can be added at any point during the wall assembly. This can help in scheduling of materials at the job site, protection of the veneers 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. 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  illustrate a natural stone veneer  2500  having a front face  2514  and a rear face  2515 . This veneer  2500  comprises natural stones  2505  that are supported on a concrete base  2510 . Connector  2400  can be attached with adhesive to the rear face  2515  of the natural stone veneer  2500 . Veneer panel  2500  usually is dimensioned to be about the same size as the front face of the blocks of the present invention. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising a support, bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the support and a stop that extends from the support and is located below the bifurcated horizontal prongs. In an embodiment, the veneer connector further comprises a stop located above the bifurcated horizontal prongs. In one embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs have a horizontal length and the stop has a horizontal length, the horizontal length of the stop being less than the horizontal length of the prongs. In an embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at the ends of the prongs. In one embodiment, the support comprises a flat surface from which the bifurcated horizontal prongs and the stop extend. 
     In an embodiment, the stop comprises a first planar surface that extends from the flat surface of the support and is perpendicular to the flat surface, a second planar surface that extends from the flat surface of the support and forms an acute angle with the flat surface, and a third planar surface that connects between the first and second surfaces and forms an obtuse angle with the first planar surface. In one embodiment, the third planar surface is oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to the flat surface of the support. In an embodiment, the support is in the form of a plate. 
     In one embodiment, the support comprises a shaft having a length longer than the maximum length of the flat surface from which the bifurcated horizontal prongs and the stop extend. In an embodiment, the shaft is adapted to being placed securely in a connector channel of a veneer. 
     The invention provides a veneer connector comprising exactly two semi-cylindrical portions adapted to being placed in a connector channel of a veneer or a block, the two semi-cylindrical portions being connected by a flat sheet portion, and one or more tab portions, each tab portion being perpendicular to the flat sheet portion. In an embodiment, the veneer connector comprises exactly two tab portions. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a top edge and a bottom edge and the one or more tab portions are adjacent to one of the top or bottom edges. In an embodiment, a first tab portion is adjacent to the top edge and a second tab portion is adjacent to the bottom edge. In one embodiment, each tab portion is equidistant from the two semi-cylindrical portions. In an embodiment, each semi-cylindrical portion comprises a partial circular cylinder portion that includes at least 150 degrees of a circle when viewed from immediately above the top edge. In one embodiment, each semi-cylindrical portion comprises a non-cylindrical portion distal from the flat portion and the partial circular cylinder portion. In an embodiment, the veneer connector is made of metal. In one embodiment, the veneer connector is made of steel. In one embodiment, the veneer connector is formed from a single sheet of material. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a veneer and a veneer connector, the veneer connector comprising a support, bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the support and a stop that extends from the support and is located below the bifurcated horizontal prongs. The invention may also provide a structural block having channels to receive the veneer and veneer connector. In one embodiment, the veneer connector is fixedly attached to the veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer connector is fixedly attached with an adhesive. In one embodiment, a portion of the veneer connector is disposed within a connector channel of the veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer connector further comprises a stop located above the bifurcated horizontal prongs. In one embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs have a horizontal length and the stop has a horizontal length, the horizontal length of the stop being less than the horizontal length of the prongs. In an embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at the ends of the prongs. In one embodiment, the support comprises a flat surface from which the bifurcated horizontal prongs and the stop extend. In an embodiment, the stop comprises a first planar surface that extends from the flat surface of the support and is perpendicular to the flat surface, a second planar surface that extends from the flat surface of the support and forms an acute angle with the flat surface, and a third planar surface that connects between the first and second surfaces and forms an obtuse angle with the first planar surface. In one embodiment, the third planar surface is oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to the flat surface of the support. In an embodiment, the support is in the form of a plate. In one embodiment, the support comprises a shaft having a length longer than the maximum length of the flat surface from which the bifurcated horizontal prongs and the stop extend. In an embodiment, the shaft is adapted to being placed securely in a connector channel of a veneer. In one embodiment, the veneer is a real stone veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer is a concrete veneer. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a veneer and a veneer connector, the veneer connector comprising exactly two semi-cylindrical portions adapted to being placed in a connector channel of a veneer or a block, the two semi-cylindrical portions being connected by a flat sheet portion, and one or more tab portions, each tab portion being perpendicular to the flat sheet portion. In one embodiment, one of the two semi-cylindrical portions of the veneer connector is disposed within a connector channel of the veneer. In an embodiment, each tab portion is equidistant from the two semi-cylindrical portions. In one embodiment, the veneer connector is made of metal. In an embodiment, the veneer connector is made of steel. In one embodiment, the veneer is a real stone veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer is a concrete veneer. In one embodiment, the concrete veneer has metal mesh reinforcement. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, a front face and one or more rear faces, each rear face being parallel to the front face, 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 one or more rear faces; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the top face to the bottom face of the block, the connector channel opening into the top face of the block and one of the front or rear faces of the block and not opening into the one of the front or rear faces of the block for the entire distance from the top face to the bottom face of the block. The veneer connector comprising a support, bifurcated horizontal prongs that extend from the support and a stop that extends from the support and is located below the bifurcated horizontal prongs; and a portion of the veneer connector being disposed with the wall block connector channel. In one embodiment, the veneer connector is fixedly attached to the veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer connector is fixedly attached with an adhesive. In one embodiment, a portion of the veneer connector is disposed within a connector channel of the veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer connector further comprises a stop located above the bifurcated horizontal prongs. In one embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs have a horizontal length and the stop has a horizontal length, the horizontal length of the stop being less than the horizontal length of the prongs. In an embodiment, the bifurcated horizontal prongs comprise tabs at the ends of the prongs. In one embodiment, the support comprises a flat surface from which the bifurcated horizontal prongs and the stop extend. In an embodiment, the stop comprises a first planar surface that extends from the flat surface of the support and is perpendicular to the flat surface, a second planar surface that extends from the flat surface of the support and forms an acute angle with the flat surface, and a third planar surface that connects between the first and second surfaces and forms an obtuse angle with the first planar surface. In one embodiment, the third planar surface is oriented at a 45 degree angle with respect to the flat surface of the support. In an embodiment, the support is in the form of a plate. In an embodiment, the support comprises a shaft having a length longer than the maximum length of the flat surface from which the bifurcated horizontal prongs and the stop extend. In one embodiment, the shaft is adapted to being placed securely in a connector channel of a veneer. In an embodiment, the wall block connector channel comprises a lower surface in the form of a ramp that extends from one of the front or rear faces of the block to a back surface of the connector channel, the ramp rising from the one of the front or rear faces of the block to the back surface of the connector channel; the bifurcated horizontal prongs are disposed in the wall block connector channel; and the stop is disposed in the wall block connector channel and contacts the ramp. In one embodiment, the wall block is a concrete wall block. In an embodiment, the veneer is a real stone veneer. In one embodiment, the veneer is a concrete veneer. 
     The invention provides a combination comprising a wall block, a veneer, and a veneer connector, the wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, a front face and a rear face, the rear face being parallel to the front face, 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; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the top face to the bottom face of the block, the connector channel opening into the top face of the block and one of the front or rear faces of the block. The veneer connector comprising exactly two semi-cylindrical portions adapted to being placed in a connector channel of a veneer or a block, the two semi-cylindrical portions being connected by a flat sheet portion, and one or more tab portions, each tab portion being perpendicular to the flat sheet portion; and a portion of the veneer connector being disposed with the wall block connector channel. In one embodiment, a portion of the veneer connector is disposed within a connector channel of the veneer. In an embodiment, each tab portion is equidistant from the two semi-cylindrical portions. In one embodiment, the veneer connector is made of metal. In an embodiment, the veneer connector is made of steel. In an embodiment, the wall block is a concrete wall block. In one embodiment, the veneer is a real stone veneer. In an embodiment, the veneer is a concrete veneer. In one embodiment, the concrete veneer has metal mesh reinforcement. 
     The invention provides a wall comprising a first course and a second course of wall blocks that may be assembled in a running or half bond pattern, a plurality of wall blocks comprising parallel top and bottom faces, a front face and a rear face, the rear face being parallel to the front face, 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; and a connector channel for receiving a veneer connector that is oriented in the direction from the top face to the bottom face of the block, the connector channel opening into the top face of the block and one of the front or rear faces of the block; a plurality of veneer connectors comprising exactly two semi-cylindrical portions adapted to being placed in a connector channel of a veneer or a block, the two semi-cylindrical portions being connected by a flat sheet portion, and one or more tab portions, each tab portion being perpendicular to the flat sheet portion; and a portion of the veneer connectors being disposed with the wall block connector channels. In one embodiment, the wall is a retaining wall. In an embodiment, veneers are attached to a plurality of the veneer connectors. 
     The invention provides a wall block comprising parallel top and bottom faces, a front face and a rear face, the rear face being parallel to the front face, 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 one or more rear faces; and first and second connector channels for receiving veneer connectors that are oriented in the direction from the top face to the bottom face of the block, the first connector channel opening into the top face of the block and the front face of the block and not opening into the front face of the block for the entire distance from the top face to the bottom face of the block, and the second connector channel opening into the top face of the block and the rear face of the block and not opening into the rear face of the block for the entire distance from the top face to the bottom face of the block. In one embodiment, the front face of the block comprises exactly two connector channels, each connector channel oriented in the direction from the top face to the bottom face of the block, each connector channel opening into the top face of the block and the front face of the block and not opening into the front face of the block for the entire distance from the top face to the bottom face of the block, and wherein the rear face of the block comprises exactly two connector channels, each connector channel oriented in the direction from the top face to the bottom face of the block, each connector channel opening into the top face of the block and the rear face of the block and not opening into the front face of the block for the entire distance from the top face to the bottom face of the block. In an embodiment, the top face of the wall block comprises one or more pin holes. In one embodiment, the top face of the wall block comprises exactly four pin holes. In an embodiment, the wall block comprises a pin receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the pin receiving cavity extends between the top and bottom faces. In an embodiment, each connector channel forms a main connection space and a narrower neck portion space, the narrower neck portion space being closer to the one of the front or rear faces of the block into which the connector channel opens. 
     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.