Patent ID: 7341685

Claim:
A method of molding concrete blocks, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a block form, the block form including: (i) a base support having first and second retaining structures, each of the first and second retaining structures including open-ended slots; (ii) a liner sized for receipt within the base support; (iii) first and second jackets adapted to detachably couple to the base support; each of the first and second jackets including a securing rod having first and second ends; and (iv) first and second upper locking mechanisms and first and second lower locking mechanisms, the first and second upper locking mechanisms and the first and second lower locking mechanisms being separate from the securing rod; (b) positioning the liner within the base support; (c) detachably securing the first jacket to the base support by positioning the first and second ends of the securing rod of the first jacket within the open-ended slots of the first retaining structures of the base support; (d) detachably securing the second jacket to the base support by positioning the first and second ends of the securing rod of the second jacket within the open-ended slots of the second retaining structures of the base support; the first and second jackets and the liner forming a molding cavity; (e) securing upper regions of the first and second jackets in position by engaging the upper locking mechanisms; (f) securing lower regions of the first and second jackets in position by engaging the lower locking mechanisms; (g) pouring moldable concrete into the molding cavity; (h) allowing the moldable concrete to only partially cure; and (i) removing the first and second jackets from the only partially cured concrete.