Patent Description:
Masonry blocks of concrete blocks have many uses such as soil retention, retaining walls, and landscaping. There are many masonry blocks in existence today, each with their range of uses and aesthetic properties. One simple example is what is known as a cinder block. A cinder block is a block made of concrete and cinder, making it lighter weight than a block made entirely of concrete. Cinder blocks are generally used in foundations and walls of buildings, typically laid in an alternating pattern and held together with mortar. Such construction provides very good load bearing, but does not provide sufficient sheer strength, for example, for retaining soil as the weight of the soil and water held by the soil presents a high amount of sheer force against a retaining wall.

A retaining wall requires extra sheer strength to prevent the retaining wall from sliding, bowing, or collapsing due to the material that is being retained such as soil, sand, stone, often having various amounts of water due to rain and runoff. Currently, many different materials are used to make retaining walls. The material used depends upon the application and size of the wall. For example, a retaining wall that supports a roadway is often made of a steel wall or a concrete and steel wall while a retaining wall for landscaping is often made of a material with aesthetic values such as railroad ties or solid concrete blocks.

Generally, for many retaining walls of small heights, typically less than <NUM> (six feet) high, there is not much pressure from the material being retained (e.g. soil) and not too much engineering required as the weight of the blocks are typically sufficient to prevent shifting from pressure of the material being retained. Many concrete blocks are available for such use in home improvement stores and many home projects are successfully completed, building such retaining walls by those who are not skilled in engineering of larger projects.

As the height of the retaining wall increases, so does the pressure exerted against the concrete blocks used to fabricate the retaining wall. Building walls that are higher than <NUM> (six feet) high requires special skill as they must be engineered to resist the sheer force exerted from the soil, rock, and water that is being retained behind the wall. In recent years, a layer of geogrid has been deployed between blocks of such walls. Each layer of geogrid is laid between the blocks and stone is backfilled on top of the geogrid, layer by layer. In this way, the geogrid provides additional resistance to sheer forces from behind the retaining wall.

There are several engineering parameters designed to provide sufficient sheer strength to a retaining wall made of concrete blocks. One parameter is "setback" which is generally considered the distance in which one course of a wall extends beyond the front surface of the next highest course of the wall. This angle of the retaining wall counter acts the pressure of the soil behind the wall. For example, a wall of standard clay bricks having no setback is easy for anybody to push over, but setting each brick back <NUM> (½ inch) from the lower brick makes it difficult to push over from the back.

Other engineering issues for concrete blocks used to make a retaining wall include friction between successive blocks. This friction is enhanced by the weight of successive blocks (those above) making it difficult for the concrete blocks to slide on each other which would result in holes in the retaining wall or total failure/collapse.

In some retaining wall construction, it is desired to limit the setback as, in some applications, there is insufficient space to construct a retaining wall that has the required setback. This may be due to a property line or a roadway configuration not providing ample space to properly setback the retaining wall. In such, the concrete blocks must be able to create a retaining wall that is virtually vertical while resisting the sheer force of the material held behind the retaining wall. In such applications, the retaining wall is further supported through the use of various construction techniques such as pins (e.g. a length of rebar passing vertically through the retaining wall), deadheads, tie-backs, etc. The engineering and construction of such is complicated and relies on the added support construction which, if a failure occurs such as the rebar rusts, the entire retaining wall is compromised.

Another issue with prior concrete block construction is curves, both convex and concave. When using a conventional block system having rectangular blocks to create a concave retaining wall, the rectangular blocks just touch at one point adjacent to the faces of the blocks, reducing friction between adjacent blocks to that point only. Therefore, lateral soil pressure from behind the retaining wall pushes against each individual block and, having only one point of resistance, such a block has little resistance to lateral soil pressure. For a convex retaining wall, the same situation occurs, only the touch point is at the back corners of the blocks, though another issue occurs in that the faces of the blocks are separated by a space that is proportional to a radius of the convex curve, which is often not desired for aesthetic reasons.

As with many types of construction, there are those who can understand and engineer walls made of concrete blocks (engineers) and there are those who construct walls made of concrete blocks (builders). For many projects, the engineering and construction is left to builders when there is often a need for engineering before the wall is constructed. Further, even when properly engineered, some such builders don't understand and/or don't follow the engineered design and the resulting concrete block wall has the potential to fail under certain load conditions. It is preferred that the concrete blocks provide features that make it difficult or impossible to construct a concrete block wall that does not conform to certain engineering constructs such as curvature radius and block-to-block setback.

<CIT> discloses a retaining wall block having a plurality of generally rectangular shaped protuberances in a line on a top surface of the block. The protuberances fit loosely into a groove provided in a bottom surface of another identical retaining wall block.

What is needed is a concrete block system that will provide structural strength while enabling straight or curved wall contours.

In one embodiment, a masonry block or a retaining wall system formed from at least two such blocks is disclosed including a masonry block body having a front, a back, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side. The front has a front-top edge and a front-bottom edge. The masonry block has an opening formed between the top surface and the bottom surface. At least two steps that rise above the top surface are formed between the opening and the front-top edge with a first step of the at least two steps being setback from the front-top edge by a first setback distance. An equal number of notches are formed/cut into the bottom surface. A first notch of the notches is setback from the front-bottom edge by a second setback distance. When stacked to form a wall, the steps of a lower masonry block interface with the notches of a second masonry block for the retaining wall system and the first setback distance is greater than the second setback distance resulting in an overall setback as defined by a difference between the first setback distance minus the second setback distance.

In another embodiment, a method of constructing a structure with masonry blocks is disclosed. The resulting structure has a fixed setback. The method includes setting a first layer of the masonry blocks on a footing. The masonry blocks having a front, a back, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side, the front having a front-top edge and a front-bottom edge, the masonry block having an opening formed between the top surface and the bottom surface. Next, setting a subsequent layer of the masonry blocks on top of the first layer of the masonry blocks such that notches in the front bottom edge of each masonry block of the subsequent layer mate with at least two steps on the top surface of the first layer of the masonry blocks, the at least two steps formed on the top surface of the masonry block between the opening and the front-top edge. The steps are setback from the front-top edge by a first setback distance and a first notch of the notches are setback from the front-bottom edge by a second setback distance and therefore, the fixed setback of the structure is defined by subtracting the first setback distance minus the second setback distance.

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:.

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Throughout this description, several features of the disclosed blocks are referred to using a common terminology. The back side of the masonry blocks include block legs. In some embodiments, there are break points which are score lines in the masonry blocks that permit clean breaks of the masonry blocks along the score lines, typically using a simple tool such as a hammer and chisel. The disclosed masonry blocks have a central opening (hollow) for reducing overall weight. The front top edge of the disclosed masonry blocks has steps that mate with notches along the front bottom edge of the next higher masonry block. The disclosed masonry blocks also have protrusions located on a top surface, typically near the opening, for locking with successive masonry blocks and for improved stacking, as will be described.

Throughout this document, the features of the masonry blocks are described with respect to the outwardly facing surface of the masonry block body being referred to as the front, the surface that is mostly visible from the outside of the wall when the masonry blocks are incorporated into a wall. The bottom is the surface that, when installed in a wall, is at a lowest altitude and touches the next lower masonry block or ground surface/footings. The top is the surface that, when installed, is distal from the next lower masonry block and, if a subsequently higher layer of concrete blocks is included, the top of the masonry block contacts the bottom of masonry blocks of the subsequently higher layer of masonry blocks. The back is the surface that is opposite of the front and typically is in direct contact with the material being retained by the wall, for example, soil, rocks, etc..

Throughout this description, a large masonry block <NUM> and a small masonry block <NUM> are described, large and small being relative to the size of each other masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>. The described masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are designed to create structurally sound walls using either all small masonry blocks <NUM>, all large masonry blocks <NUM> or any combination of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>. Note that although the primary composition of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> is concrete, it is fully anticipated that other materials are included in the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> such as strengtheners, fillers, and/or moisture.

The masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are disclosed having steps on a top surface and notches on a bottom surface. Although it is anticipated to include the steps on the bottom surface and the notches on the top surface, it is preferred to have the steps on the top surface and notches on the bottom surface, leaving the bottom surface relatively flat for interfacing with transportation (e.g. palettes, truck floors) and for interfacing with footings.

The described masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are typically formed by filling a mold with a masonry material (e.g. concrete, moisture, filler) and applying pressure to form the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>, then allowing the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> to set either in open air or in a temperature/humidity controlled environment.

Referring to FIGS. <NUM> and <NUM>, views of a small masonry block <NUM> positioned atop a large masonry block <NUM> are shown. Although, in FIGS. <NUM> and <NUM>, it is shown how the small masonry block <NUM> interfaces with the large masonry block <NUM>, any configurations of small masonry block <NUM> and large masonry block <NUM> are anticipated including walls made entirely of either small masonry blocks <NUM> or walls made entirely of large masonry blocks <NUM>.

The large masonry block <NUM> has a large masonry block front <NUM> (the face part that is visible when built into a wall) with large masonry block sides <NUM> having large masonry block insets <NUM> and large masonry block legs <NUM>. There is a large masonry block opening <NUM>, the purpose of such is for reducing the total weight of the large masonry block <NUM>.

The small masonry block <NUM> has a small masonry block front <NUM> (the face part that is visible when built into a wall) with small masonry block sides <NUM>/<NUM> having small masonry block insets <NUM> and small masonry block legs <NUM>. There is a small masonry block opening <NUM>, the purpose of such is for reducing the total weight of the small masonry block <NUM>.

The small masonry block top surface <NUM> has small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A. As either of the small masonry block <NUM> or large masonry block <NUM> are stacked upon each other, the steps (small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A or large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A) mate with notches of the masonry block above (small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> or large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>). This mating helps make sure that the proper setback is made (note the forced setback shown in FIG. <NUM>) and also provides structural support keeping upper layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> from being pushed out with respect to lower layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>.

Also shown in FIG. <NUM>, the large masonry block key <NUM> of the large masonry block top surface <NUM> rests against the side of the small masonry block <NUM>. The mating of the large masonry block key <NUM> with the small masonry block side <NUM> of the small masonry block <NUM> helps make sure that proper spacing is maintained as well as limiting lateral movement of successive layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>.

Note that the small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A include outer small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM> and inner small masonry block steps 112A/114A. The purpose of such is to provide maximum step contact with the notches (small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> or large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>) of subsequent higher layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> when the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are arranged in a concave formation. Note that the small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> and large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> are substantially linear.

The small masonry block <NUM> has a small masonry block top surface <NUM> and small masonry block legs <NUM>. The large masonry block <NUM> has a large masonry block top surface <NUM> and large masonry block legs <NUM>.

The large masonry block legs <NUM> have score lines <NUM> for knocking off the large masonry block legs <NUM> in a predictable way with a simple tool such as a hammer and chisel.

Referring to FIGS. <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, plan views of several of the large masonry blocks 200R arranged in a convex curve are shown in which another large masonry block <NUM> is to be added. It is difficult to form curved walls using masonry blocks of the prior art, often requiring cutting of such blocks to form the curved wall. As shown in FIGS. <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, by knocking off the large masonry block legs <NUM> of each large masonry block <NUM>, a wall with a specific radius is formed. Note, walls of different radii are anticipated based upon setting each of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> with their sides abutting near the front of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> and setting the distance between the masonry block legs <NUM>/<NUM> (or sides after removal of the masonry block legs <NUM>/<NUM>).

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a plan view of several of the large masonry blocks <NUM> arranged in a concave curve is shown. In this configuration, the large masonry block legs <NUM> of the large masonry blocks <NUM> are left intact and only the side edges near the large masonry block front <NUM> touch and impart friction against each other. Although, in this configuration, there is minimum friction between adjacent large masonry blocks <NUM>, it is difficult for such large masonry blocks <NUM> to be moved by soil pressure due to the concave arrangement of the large masonry blocks <NUM> and further by interaction between the large masonry block legs <NUM>.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a plan view of alternating of the large masonry blocks <NUM> with small masonry blocks <NUM> arranged in a convex curve is shown. In this view, a smaller radius convex curved wall is formed by alternating of large masonry blocks <NUM> with small masonry blocks <NUM>. Note how the small masonry block legs <NUM> rest within the large masonry block inset <NUM>. This aligns the small masonry block <NUM> with the adjacent large masonry blocks <NUM> and prevents the small masonry block <NUM> from being pushed out from between the adjacent large masonry blocks <NUM> by pressure from materials behind this convex wall.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a plan view of overlapping layers of large masonry blocks <NUM> arranged in a convex curve is shown. Note, in this example, the large masonry block legs <NUM> remain intact and touch while the side edges of the large masonry block <NUM> near the large masonry block front <NUM> are set slightly apart.

This pattern of large masonry blocks <NUM> takes advantage of staggering of the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A. When there are multiple layers of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> set at an angle to each other, the large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> of the large masonry blocks <NUM> of an upper layer of the large masonry blocks <NUM> interface both with the outer large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM> and inner large masonry block steps 212A/214A. This provides improved structural strength as well as guides for setting each layer at a similar angle with respect to the next lower layer of the large masonry blocks <NUM>. Note the same principle is present in the small masonry blocks <NUM> having outer small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM> and inner small masonry block steps 112A/114A (see FIG.

It is anticipated that during construction, as for example in the landscape structure or wall such shown in FIG. <NUM>, the structure or wall is generally constructed one layer at a time. Each layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are set on top of subsequent lower layers of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> such that the masonry block steps
<NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A of the lower (prior) layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> interface with the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> of the layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> that are being set. This provides a positive connection between layers. Since the masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A of the prior layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are elevated with respect to the masonry block top surface <NUM>/<NUM>, the layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> that are being set are unable to be pushed forward beyond where the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> touch/interface with the masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A, forcing setting of this layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> at the correct setback and preventing each subsequent layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> from being pushed forward by sheer forces coming from the material being retained by the wall/structure.

In such, the masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A are setback from a front top edge of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> by a first setback distance and the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> are setback from a front bottom edge by a second setback distance that is less than the first setback distance. In this way, the overall setback of a construction (e.g. wall) made of such masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> is defined by the difference between the first setback distance and the second setback distance. For example, if the first setback distance is <NUM> (two-inches) and the second setback distance is <NUM> (five-inches), the each subsequently higher layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> will be setback <NUM> (three-inches) from the base layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> (assuming proper installation in which the masonry block steps
<NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A interface/abut the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>).

The number of masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A is shown as two as is the number of the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>, though any number of steps and notches is anticipated, including one step and one notch. It is preferred that the number of steps equals the number of notches, though not required.

In some embodiments, after each layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are set, the appropriate fill is placed behind the wall as well as the appropriate fill used to fill the masonry block openings <NUM>/<NUM> such as rock, stone, gravel, and/or concrete. Once complete, pressure on the structure or wall from behind the wall (material that is to be retained by the wall) tend to force the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> of each subsequently higher layer outward towards the front of the wall. The interface between the masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A/<NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A and the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>, along with friction between touching surfaces of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> resist the movement between the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>. It is fully intended that the structure/wall be formed using masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> without the use of mortar, though the use of mortar is not precluded. It is also anticipated that after setting each layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>, a layer of geogrid is placed over the layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>, extending behind the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> to be covered with fill as the fill is placed behind the wall/structure after each layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are set.

Referring to FIGS. <NUM> and <NUM>, plan views of large masonry blocks <NUM> arranged in a convex curve are shown. <NUM>, the large masonry block legs <NUM> fully overlap and touch forming a concave wall with a slight convex curvature while in FIG. <NUM>, the large masonry block legs <NUM> are set slightly apart forming a concave wall with a convex curvature that has a larger radius than that of the concave wall of FIG.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a perspective view of a wall having multiple radii formed with the large masonry blocks <NUM> is shown. Note that, for aesthetic reasons, planar caps are affixed to the upper-most layer of the large masonry blocks <NUM>, as known in the business.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a perspective cut-away view of a linear wall made of the large masonry blocks <NUM> is shown. In this, the set back of subsequently higher layers of the large masonry blocks <NUM> is shown as the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A of a lower layer of the large masonry blocks <NUM> mate with large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> of a next-higher layer of the large masonry blocks <NUM>. Although note shown in FIG. <NUM>, it is fully anticipated to include a layer of geogrid between subsequent layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>. In such, after each layer of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are set, an area behind the layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> is filled with dirt/rock <NUM> and the geogrid is laid across the layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>, extending atop the dirt/rock <NUM>, providing greater structural strength.

Note that, as shown in this example, distances between of the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A and the large masonry block front <NUM> define a setback of subsequently higher layers of large masonry blocks <NUM>. By adjusting the molds in the manufacturing process to vary the distances between of the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A and the large masonry block front <NUM>, different setbacks of subsequently higher layers of large masonry blocks <NUM> are achieved. The same holds true with the small masonry blocks. By adjusting the molds in the manufacturing process to vary the distances between of the small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A and the small masonry block front <NUM>, different setbacks of subsequently higher layers of small masonry blocks <NUM> are achieved. Likewise, the same holds true for walls made of combinations of small masonry blocks <NUM> and large masonry blocks <NUM>. It is also anticipated that the masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> be adjusted in the same way during the molding/fabricating process. Therefore, for example using the large masonry blocks <NUM>, the setback is determined by the difference between the depth of the step-setback (e.g. the distances between of the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A and the large masonry block front <NUM>) and the notch-setback (e.g. the distances between of the large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> and the large masonry block front <NUM>). The same holds true for the small masonry block <NUM>. If the step-setback is <NUM> (two inches) and the notch-setback is <NUM> (one inch), then each subsequent layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> will be setback <NUM> (one inch) from the next lower layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>. The masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are typically designed for a three-degree to twelve-degree setback.

Referring to FIGS. <NUM> and <NUM>, side view of stacking of masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are shown. <NUM>, the small masonry block <NUM> is at a minimal angle with respect to the large masonry block <NUM> and, therefore, the small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> abut against the back-most large block steps 212A/214A (furthest steps from the large masonry block front <NUM>) and the large masonry block key <NUM> locks into the small masonry block inset <NUM>. <NUM>, the small masonry block <NUM> is at an angle with respect to the large masonry block <NUM> and, therefore, the small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> abut against outer large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM> and the large masonry block key <NUM> is not visible but located within the small masonry block opening <NUM>. Note that the small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> also abut against the inner large masonry block steps 212A/214A which is not visible in FIG.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a plan view of stacking of a small masonry block <NUM> atop a large masonry block <NUM> is shown. The large masonry block key <NUM> locks into the small masonry block inset <NUM> and the small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> (not visible) interface with the outer large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>.

Referring to FIGS. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> views of the small masonry block <NUM> are shown. The small masonry block <NUM> has a small masonry block front <NUM> (the face part that is visible when built into a wall) with small masonry block sides <NUM>/<NUM>. Each of the small masonry block sides <NUM>/<NUM> have small masonry block insets <NUM> and small masonry block legs <NUM>. There is a small masonry block opening <NUM>, the purpose of such is for reducing the total weight of the small masonry block <NUM>.

The small masonry block top surface <NUM> has small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A and the small masonry block bottom surface <NUM> has small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>.

As another masonry block <NUM>/<NUM> is stacked over a small masonry block <NUM>, the small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A of the small masonry block <NUM> mate with the notches (small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> or large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>) of the other masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>. Likewise, as the small masonry block <NUM> is stacked upon another masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>, the small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> of that small masonry block <NUM> mates with the steps (small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A or large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A) if the other masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>. This mating helps make sure that the proper setback is made (note the forced setback shown in FIG. <NUM>) and also provides structural support keeping upper layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> from being pushed out with respect to lower layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>.

The small block back surface <NUM> interfaces with whatever material is filled behind the constructed wall. Note that in some installations, after each layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are stacked, the small masonry block opening <NUM> is filled with material such as rock, stone, pebbles, dirt, and sand.

In some embodiments, the small masonry block legs <NUM> have score lines <NUM> for knocking off the small masonry block legs <NUM> in a predictable way with a simple tool such as a hammer and chisel.

Referring to FIGS. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, views of the large masonry block <NUM> are shown. The large masonry block <NUM> has a large masonry block front <NUM> (the face part that is visible when built into a wall) with large masonry block sides <NUM>/<NUM>, Each of the large masonry block sides <NUM>/<NUM> have large masonry block insets <NUM> and large masonry block legs <NUM>. There is a large masonry block opening <NUM>, the purpose of such is for reducing the total weight of the large masonry block <NUM>.

Each large masonry block <NUM> has two large masonry block keys <NUM> on the large masonry block top surface <NUM>. The large masonry block keys <NUM> provide reference points during installation. As the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are stacked to create walls, the large masonry block keys <NUM> provide such reference points to produce walls that are regular and symmetrical. In some installations, the large masonry block keys <NUM> rest against the side of the masonry block <NUM>/<NUM> that is placed on top of the large masonry block <NUM>, thereby providing extra resistance from movement of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> with respect to each other. Further, in installations in which a geogrid is placed between successive layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>, the large masonry block keys <NUM> prevent the geogrid sheets from sliding out during construction and during the life of the resulting wall.

The large masonry block keys <NUM> have another function. As the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A are not level with the large masonry block top surface <NUM> of the large masonry block <NUM>, the large masonry block keys <NUM> helps keep stacks of large masonry blocks <NUM> somewhat level for storage and shipment.

As another masonry block <NUM>/<NUM> is stacked over a large masonry block <NUM>, the large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A of the large masonry block <NUM> mate with the notches (small masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> or large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM>) of the other masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>. Likewise, as the large masonry block <NUM> is stacked upon another masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>, the large masonry block notches <NUM>/<NUM> of that large masonry block mates with the steps (small masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/112A/114A or large masonry block steps <NUM>/<NUM>/212A/214A) if the other masonry block <NUM>/<NUM>. This mating helps make sure that the proper setback is made (note the forced setback shown in FIG. <NUM>) and also provides structural support keeping upper layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> from being pushed out with respect to lower layers of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM>.

The large block back surface <NUM> interfaces with whatever material is filled behind the constructed wall. Note that in some installations, after each layer of the masonry blocks <NUM>/<NUM> are stacked, the masonry block openings <NUM>/<NUM> is/are filled with material such as rock, stone, pebbles, dirt, and sand.

In some embodiments, the large masonry block legs <NUM> have score lines <NUM> for knocking off the large masonry block legs <NUM> in a predictable way with a simple tool such as a hammer and chisel.

Claim 1:
A masonry block (<NUM>; <NUM>) for a retaining wall system formed from at least two such blocks, the masonry block comprising:
a masonry block body having a front (<NUM>; <NUM>), a back (<NUM>; <NUM>), a top surface (<NUM>; <NUM>), a bottom surface (<NUM>; <NUM>), a first side (<NUM>; <NUM>) and a second side (<NUM>; <NUM>), the front having a front-top edge and a front-bottom edge, the masonry block having an opening (<NUM>; <NUM>) formed between the top surface and the bottom surface;
at least two steps (<NUM>, 112A, <NUM>, 114A; <NUM>, 212A, <NUM>, 214A) on the top surface rising above the top surface and formed between the opening and the front-top edge, a first step of the at least two steps being setback from the front-top edge by a first setback distance;
an equal number of notches (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) in the bottom surface, a first notch of the notches being setback from the front-bottom edge by a second setback distance;
such that, when stacked to form a wall, the steps of a lower masonry block interface with the notches of a second masonry block for the retaining wall system; and
wherein the first setback distance is greater than the second setback distance and an overall setback is defined by a difference between the first setback distance minus the second setback distance.