A block, block system and method of making a wall block. Multiple block embodiments with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance.

A block reinforcement cage made from reinforcing material and adapted for loading within a machine during a block manufacturing process for molding a concrete U-wall construction block structure. The block cage includes an open aperture formed in each of its stem reinforcing portions. During the block manufacturing process, the first and second support members of a support mechanism are inserted within the open apertures formed in the stem reinforcing sections of the block cage, and cooperate with the open apertures of the block cage so as to (i) support the block cage when being loaded into a block manufacturing machine, (ii) define central apertures molded in each stem portion of the concrete U-wall construction block structure, and (iii) lift the molded concrete U-wall construction block when being unloaded from the machine.

A block reinforcement cage made from reinforcing material and adapted for loading within a machine during a block manufacturing process for molding a concrete U-wall construction block structure. The block cage includes an open aperture formed in each of its stem reinforcing portions. During the block manufacturing process, the first and second support members of a support mechanism are inserted within the open apertures formed in the stem reinforcing sections of the block cage, and cooperate with the open apertures of the block cage so as to (i) support the block cage when being loaded into a block manufacturing machine, (ii) define central apertures molded in each stem portion of the concrete U-wall construction block structure, and (iii) lift the molded concrete U-wall construction block when being unloaded from the machine.

The present invention provides a stair edging component or nosing assembly comprising a plurality of elongate inserts, each insert comprising a main body portion having a tread surface and a coupling interface to couple the insert to the stair, and an opening extending through the length thereof, a locating spacer located between each pair of inserts, and a tensioning means extending through the opening in each insert and along the length of the stair edging component.

The present invention provides a stair edging component or nosing assembly comprising a plurality of elongate inserts, each insert comprising a main body portion having a tread surface and a coupling interface to couple the insert to the stair, and an opening extending through the length thereof, a locating spacer located between each pair of inserts, and a tensioning means extending through the opening in each insert and along the length of the stair edging component.

The invention provides novel articles of composite materials having hollow interior channels or passageways, or otherwise being hollowed out, and formulations and methods for their manufacture and uses. These hollow core objects are suitable for a variety of applications in construction, pavements and landscaping, and infrastructure.

A retaining wall block having a false joint and a system of retaining wall blocks. The retaining wall block includes a body having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can have a depth divided by the width greater than two inches. The false joint can have an interior angle of less than ten degrees. The system includes a plurality of retaining wall blocks and a first course of retaining wall blocks engaged with a second course of retaining wall blocks below. Each block in the system comprising a front face having a first textured surface and a second textured surface and a false joint dividing the first and second textured surface. The false joint can extend a predetermined depth of a third surface.

A method and mold assembly for forming a dry cast concrete corner blocks having non-parallel front and rear faces and non-parallel end faces, with a hollow central core in the blocks. The corner blocks can be used to build a square or irregular corner in a retaining wall, and can be used to build columns or pillars in the wall, without having to cut the corner blocks. Fill material may be poured into aligned cores in the stacked corner blocks which form the wall corner or column, to stabilize the corner blocks.

A device and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity ceramic fluidic device having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the device, the tortuous fluid passage having a smooth interior surface, a material of the ceramic body having a continuous and uniform distribution of grains at least between opposed major surfaces of the ceramic body. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of binder-coated ceramic powder, pressing the volume of ceramic powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body, heating the pressed body to remove the mold, and sintering the pressed body. A relationship between a first stability characteristic of the volume of ceramic powder and a second stability characteristic of the mold prevents discontinuities in the pressed body after pressing and/or during heating.

A device and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity ceramic fluidic device having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the device, the tortuous fluid passage having a smooth interior surface, a material of the ceramic body having a continuous and uniform distribution of grains at least between opposed major surfaces of the ceramic body. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of binder-coated ceramic powder, pressing the volume of ceramic powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body, heating the pressed body to remove the mold, and sintering the pressed body. A relationship between a first stability characteristic of the volume of ceramic powder and a second stability characteristic of the mold prevents discontinuities in the pressed body after pressing and/or during heating.