Wall with decorative facing

Abstract

A method and system for providing a decorative finish on a wall, whereby a facing panel is provided to attach to a backing surface by way of a coupling means Dry cast panels are connected to the wall by way of a key way connector.

1 . A method for providing a decorative finish on a wall, preferably a retaining wall or a freestanding wall, comprising the steps of
 obtaining a facing panel having a decorative surface, preferably a plurality of panels; and mounting the facing panel to the wall for exposing the decorative surface, preferably, the plurality of panels are mounted to the wall and arranged to completely cover the wall,   wherein the facing panels are dry cast concrete panels, preferably with an embossed decorative surface, more preferably with an embossed, patterned facing surface.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting step includes obtaining a connecting means for fastening the facing panel to the wall, preferably for removably fastening the facing panel. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting step further includes attaching the connecting means to the wall and subsequently attaching the facing panel to the connecting means. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting step further includes attaching the connecting means to the wall and subsequently suspending the facing panel from the connecting means. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A decorative block for a wall, comprising
 a base block for forming the wall,   a facing panel having an embossed decorative surface, and   a connecting means for mounting the facing panel to the block for exposing the decorative surface.   
   
   
       10 . The decorative block of  claim 9 , wherein the block has a front surface and a first retaining recess in the front surface, and the connecting means is a connector engaging the facing panel and having a first interlocking member for engaging the first retaining recess in the block to interconnect the facing panel and the block. 
   
   
       11 . The decorative block of  claim 10 , wherein the facing panel is suspended from the block by the interlocking member of the connector. 
   
   
       12 . The decorative block of  claim 9 , wherein the facing panel has a rear surface opposite the decorative surface and a second retaining recess in the rear surface, and the connector has a second interlocking member for engaging the second retaining recess in the facing panel to interconnect the facing panel and the connector. 
   
   
       13 . The decorative block of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second retaining recesses are first and second keyhole slots and the connector has a central web with opposite, terminally positioned enlarged portions forming the first and second interlocking members respectively, each interlocking member being shaped and constructed for interlocking engagement with one of the first and second keyhole slots. 
   
   
       14 . The decorative block of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second keyhole slots are identical in shape and size and the connector is of symmetrical construction to permit engagement of the first and second interlocking members with either one of the first and second keyhole slots. 
   
   
       15 . A decorative wall, comprising
 a plurality of stacked decorative blocks as defined in  claim 9 .   
   
   
       16 . A base block for a decorative block in accordance with  claim 9 , the base block comprising
 a body with top and bottom surfaces, a pair of opposite end surfaces and front and back surfaces, and at least one retaining recess provided in the front surface for receiving the connector means for mounting the facing panel to the base block.   
   
   
       17 . The base block of  claim 16 , having at least one retaining recess in each of the front and back surfaces, preferably in each of the front, back and end surfaces, preferably a number of equidistantly spaced, parallel retaining recesses in each surface. 
   
   
       18 . The base block of  claim 17 , wherein the retaining recesses are keyhole slots, preferably of substantially identical shape and size. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A modular wall system, comprising individual stackable base blocks of staggered length, facing panels of equal staggered width, and connecting means for mounting the facing panels to the base blocks, the length of the base blocks and facing panels being a multiple of a preselected base length L (2L, 3L, 4L, 5L, . . . ) 
   
   
       21 . The modular wall system of  claim 20 , wherein a thickness of the base blocks is equal to a multiple of the base length, preferably 2L. 
   
   
       22 . The modular wall system of  claim 21 , wherein a thickness of the facing panels is equal to the base length or a multiple of the base length. 
   
   
       23 . The modular wall system of  claim 20 , wherein the base blocks are stackable in rows and the connecting means include at least one retaining groove in each base block and each facing panel and connectors for mounting the facing panels to the base blocks, each connector having a body and opposing first and second interlocking members for engaging a retaining groove in one of the base blocks and one of the facing panels respectively for interconnecting the connector with the base block and the facing panel respectively. 
   
   
       24 . The modular wall system of  claim 20 , wherein the base blocks have front, back and end surfaces and opposite end surfaces and are stackable end to end, the connecting means being adapted for mounting the facing panels to the front or back surfaces of the blocks. 
   
   
       25 . The modular wall system of  claim 14 , wherein the connecting means are adapted for mounting the facing panels to the front, back or end surfaces.