Columnar block fence system

Abstract

A system of columnar blocks and stacking blocks interlock with each other in the construction of a pilaster or column and a fence panel, respectively, for use in a fence. The columnar blocks are generally square and the stacking blocks are generally rectangular. The columnar block faces may contain one or more slots to give a column an appearance of a masonry joint. Blocks have at least one interlocking element that permits a positive connection between courses of the blocks when the interlocking element is received in an overlying block.

1 . A block system for constructing a column with a wall extending therefrom comprising: 
 a plurality of column blocks for forming a column, the column blocks having an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a column block thickness, opposed first and second side surfaces and opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, at least one of the side surfaces having a recessed portion extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the upper and lower surfaces together with the side surfaces defining a column block body, at least one projection extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces, at least one indentation extending into the other of the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one projection and the at least one indentation being positioned such that when the column blocks are stacked one upon another to form a column the at least one projection of a column block in a first course is received in the at least one indentation of a column block in a second adjacent course; and    a plurality of wall blocks for forming a wall extending from the column, the wall blocks having an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a wall block thickness, opposed first and second side surfaces of the wall block extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the wall block, opposed first and second ends of the wall block extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the wall block, the upper and lower surfaces of the wall block together with the first and second side surfaces of the wall block and the first and second ends of the wall block defining a wall block body, one of the first and second ends of the wall block being sized to be received in a recessed portion of a side surface of a column block.    
     
     
         2 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein the column blocks are generally square.  
     
     
         3 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall blocks are generally rectangular.  
     
     
         4 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein the column blocks are configured to be used with from one to four fence panels.  
     
     
         5 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein an exposed surface contains at least one slot.  
     
     
         6 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein the column blocks are configured so that, when constructing a column, the column block in the first course is rotated 90 degrees about the vertical axis of the column with respect to the column block in the second adjacent course.  
     
     
         7 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein the indentation comprises a core.  
     
     
         8 . The block system according to  claim 7 , wherein the column blocks are configured so that, when constructing the column, vertically aligned cores of the columns are filled with reinforcement.  
     
     
         9 . The block system according to  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcement is selected from concrete grout and rebar, steel pipe and post-tension rods.  
     
     
         10 . The block system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall blocks include left-hand and right-hand blocks.  
     
     
         11 . The block system according to  claim 10 , wherein the wall blocks are configured so that, when constructing a corner of the wall, at least one projection on a left-hand block in a first course interlocks into a core of a right-hand block in an adjacent course.  
     
     
         12 . A column block for forming a column, the column block comprising: 
 an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a column block thickness;    opposed first and second side surfaces and opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, at least one of the side surfaces having a recessed portion extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the upper and lower surfaces together with the side surfaces defining a column block body;    at least one projection extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces, at least one indentation extending into the other of the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one projection and the at least one indentation being positioned such that when the column blocks are stacked one upon another to form a column, the at least one projection of a column block in a first course is received in the at least one indentation of a column block in a second adjacent course.    
     
     
         13 . The column block according to  claim 12  that is generally square.  
     
     
         14 . The column block according to  claim 12  configured to be used with from one to four fence panels.  
     
     
         15 . The column block according to  claim 12 , wherein an exposed surface contains at least one slot.  
     
     
         16 . The column block according to  claim 12 , wherein each block has at least one interlocking element that permits a positive connection between courses of the blocks when the interlocking element is received in an overlying block.  
     
     
         17 . The column block according to  claim 12 , configured so that, when constructing a column, the column block in the first course is rotated 90 degrees about the vertical axis of the column with respect to the column block in the second adjacent course.  
     
     
         18 . The column block according to  claim 12 , wherein the indentation comprises a core.  
     
     
         19 . The column block according to  claim 18 , wherein the column blocks are configured so that, when constructing the column, vertically aligned cores of the columns are filled with reinforcement.  
     
     
         20 . The column block according to  claim 19 , wherein the reinforcement is selected from concrete grout and rebar, steel pipe and post-tension rods.  
     
     
         21 . The column block according to  claim 12  that is generally hollow.  
     
     
         22 . A fence, comprising: 
 at least one column of blocks stacked in vertically aligned courses, wherein each block has an upper surface spaced apart from an opposed lower surface, thereby defining a column block thickness, opposed first and second side surfaces and opposed third and fourth side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces, at least one of the side surfaces having a recessed portion extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the upper and lower surfaces together with the side surfaces defining a column block body, at least one projection extending from one of the upper and lower surfaces, at least one indentation extending into the other of the upper and lower surfaces, the at least one projection and the at least one indentation being positioned such that, when the column blocks are stacked one upon another to form a column, the at least one projection of a column block in a first course is received in the at least one indentation of a column block in a second adjacent course; and    at least one fence panel having at least one end, the at least one end being connected to the at least one column.    
     
     
         23 . The fence according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one column of blocks is at least two columns of blocks, wherein the at least one end is at least first and second ends, the first end being connected to a first of the two columns and the second end being connected to a second of the two columns.  
     
     
         24 . The fence according to  claim 22 , wherein the column blocks are generally square.  
     
     
         25 . The fence according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one column is configured to be used with from one to four fence panels.  
     
     
         26 . The fence according to  claim 22 , wherein the indentation comprises a core.  
     
     
         27 . The fence of  claim 26 , wherein vertically aligned cores of the columns are filled with reinforcement.  
     
     
         28 . The fence of  claim 26 , wherein the reinforcement is selected from concrete grout and rebar, steel pipe and post-tension rods.