Patent ID: 6978581

Claim:
A discrete, preassembled, composite block unit for independent placement as a unit with other laterally and vertically adjacent units to form a mortared wall structure, comprising: a first wall and a second wall, at least one of which is load bearing for vertical loads and made from a first, masonry-type material, each said wall having at least one mortar receiving surface for forming a mortar joint with said adjacent block units; and a connective structure formed of a second, non-masonry-type material and connected between the first and second walls, said connective structure having at least two connectors; wherein each of the connectors is connected to one of the first and second walls, such that prior to placement of the block unit in a wall structure the first and second walls are securely positioned with respect to one another as opposite faces of a discrete, substantially rectangular block, each face having a face area; wherein the connective structure is free of direct, structural connection to any wall of each adjacent block unit when the block unit is in a wall structure; wherein the connective structure comprises arms supporting the at least two connectors and said arms provide a thermal conduction path of limited vertical cross-sectional area relative to either wall face area; and wherein the connective structure comprises: a center form with first and second opposed sides; at least one of the arms supporting a connector projects outwardly from each of the opposed sides of the center form; and wherein the arms taper such that the vertical cross-sectional area of the connective structure decreases as it extends away from the walls toward the center form.