Solid core concrete block and method of making a concrete block retaining wall

A plurality of solid core concrete brick machine usedthe wall. The blocks also include inwardly angular
in forming a retaining wall. The retaining wall can benotches next to the ears. When the ears are broken
used in building construction, road construction,off, the notch sides, which are angled from 10 to 45
landscaping, hillside erosion control, gardens, and likedegrees, can be used for creating a curved retaining
applications. Also, the retaining wall can be a straightwall.
wall, an angled wall or a curved wall depending on theStill another object of the solid core blocks is the
application.ears on the blocks allow three 8" by 8" by 18" blocks
Each of the blocks includes a vertical front face andto be made at one time in a standard size 18?" by
rear face, a horizontal top and bottom and a vertical26?" concrete mold used in a concrete block machine.
first side and second side. The first side includes aWhile the dimensions of the mold are described
first ear and two sides of an angular first notch nextabove, the mold can be of various dimensions for
to the first ear. One side of the first notch is parallelmaking different sizes of retaining wall blocks. This
to a length of the front and rear faces and forms afeature provides for reduced block cost and
side of the first ear. A second side of the first notchincreases the efficiency in making the blocks.
is disposed inwardly into the block and at an angle ofYet another object of the invention is each block can
10 to 45 degrees from a horizontal line perpendicularinclude a pair of parallel bracket grooves in the top of
to a length of the front and rear faces. When thethe block. The bracket grooves are used for
first ear is broken off, a length of the second side ofreceiving a pair of brackets used to suspend a
the first notch is extended for engaging a side ofdecorative facing on a front of the block.
another block having a second ear broken off. In thisA further object of the invention is the use of a
manner, the retaining wall can be angled or curvedfabric sheet disposed between every layer of the
during the wall construction.block, every two layers of blocks or as needed. The
This invention relates to a concrete block retainingfabric sheet is received on top of compacted dirt
wall and more particularly, but not by way ofbackfill behind the wall. Additional backfill is received
limitation, to a unique solid core concrete block and aon top of the fabric sheet. The fabric sheet is used
plurality of the concrete blocks used in building ato hold the wall in place due to the force of the soils
concrete block retaining wall. The retaining wall can beon the back side of the retaining wall.
used in building construction, road construction,The invention includes a plurality of solid core blocks
landscaping, hillside erosion control, gardens, and likeused in forming a retaining wall. Each of the blocks
applications.includes a vertical front face and rear face, a
Heretofore, there have been a variety of differenthorizontal top and bottom and a vertical first side and
types of concrete blocks, bricks, railroad ties andsecond side. The first side includes a first ear and
other types of materials used in retaining walltwo sides of an angular first notch next to the first
construction. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,423 to Perkins, U.S.ear. One side of the first notch is parallel to a length
Pat. No. 6,000,183 to Newman and U.S. Pat. No.of the front and rear faces and forms a side of the
5,465,544 to Ghahary different types of decorativefirst ear. A second side of the first notch is disposed
face plates or facing panels are illustrated forinwardly into the block and at an angle of 10 to 45
attaching to the front of concrete blocks used indegrees from a horizontal line perpendicular to a
retaining walls. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,999 to Egan et al.length of the front and rear faces. When the first
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,102 to Ozawa, two differentear is broken off, a length of the second side of the
types retaining wall block systems are disclosed usingfirst notch is extended for engaging a side of
plastic wall blocks and cellular resin blocks.another block when turning an angle during the wall
None of the above mentioned prior art patentsconstruction. The second side of the block includes a
specifically disclose the unique features, structure andsecond ear and two sides of an angular second notch
function of the subject solid core concrete block andsimilar to the first side of the block.
method of making a concrete block retaining wall asThese and other objects of the present invention will
described herein.become apparent to those familiar with various types
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary objective ofof concrete blocks, concrete brick machine molds and
the subject invention to provide a plurality of soliddifferent methods of making retaining walls when
core concrete blocks that can be easily stacked onereviewing the following detailed description, showing
on top of the other for forming different designs,novel construction, enlarged, and elements as herein
sizes and shapes of retaining walls.described, and more particularly defined by the claims,
Another object of the invention is each of the solidit being understood that changes in the embodiments
core concrete blocks includes a pair of ears extendingto the herein disclosed invention are meant to be
outwardly from opposite sides of the block. The earsincluded as coming within the scope of the claims,
can be used for carrying the block to the retainingexcept insofar as they may be precluded by the
wall construction site and for placing it in position onprior art.