Patent ID: 8251053

Claim:
A block splitting machine for splitting a concrete workpiece into at least two blocks during a splitting operation; the block splitting machine comprising: first and second opposed block splitting assemblies, the first block splitting assembly having a first blade and the second block splitting assembly having a second blade opposing the first blade so that a workpiece to be split into at least two resulting blocks can be oriented between the opposing first and second blades; the block splitting machine adapted to move at least one of the first and second assemblies toward the other of the first and second assemblies to split a workpiece; the first blade having a central cutting edge defining a splitting line along which the workpiece is split into at least two resulting blocks in use; the first blade extending between first and second, opposite, ends; and, a plurality of first ridges extending along, and spaced from, the first blade; at least selected ones of the first ridges being directed, in use, toward a workpiece at a location spaced from the first blade and at a location to engage a workpiece, during a splitting operation, and by chipping and roughening, contribute to formation of at least one irregular split edge and surface of at least one of the two resulting split blocks; the at least selected ones of the first ridges being positioned with less projection toward a workpiece than the first blade to engage a portion of the workpiece only after the first blade has first engaged the workpiece; and the second blade having a central cutting edge aligned with the splitting line along which the workpiece is split into the at least two resulting blocks, in use; the second blade extending between first and second, opposite, ends.