Base block and methods

Abstract

A wall base block includes opposed top and bottom faces, first and second side faces, and first and second end faces. The first end face is convex, and the second end face is concave and of generally the same curvature as the first end face so that the convex first end face of one base block can closely nest the concave second end face of an adjacent base block. The block includes alignment indicia to assist in aligning adjacent nested blocks in straight or other predetermined angular relationships. The base blocks can be used to make straight or curved bases for a wall.

1 . A wall base block comprising:
 (a) opposed top and bottom faces;   (b) opposed first and second side faces extending between the top and bottom faces;   (c) opposed first and second end faces extending between the top and bottom faces and between the first and second side faces; wherein   (d) the first end face is convex and the second end face is concave and of generally the same curvature as the first end face, so that the convex first end face of one wall base block can closely nest within the concave second end face of an adjacently placed second wall base block; and   (e) alignment indicia on the top face adjacent the first and second end faces of the base block to assist in aligning adjacent nested blocks in straight or other predetermined angular relationships.   
     
     
         2 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the alignment indicia comprises notches adjacent the first and second end faces of the base block. 
     
     
         3 . The wall base block of  claim 2  wherein the indicia notches are formed in the first and second end faces and extend from the top face to the bottom face of the base block. 
     
     
         4 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the first and second side faces are oriented generally at right angles to the top and bottom faces. 
     
     
         5 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the first and second end faces are oriented generally at right angles to the top and bottom faces. 
     
     
         6 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the block is formed of concrete having a net compressive strength of at least about 3000 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The wall base block of  claim 6  wherein the block is formed of dry cast concrete. 
     
     
         8 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the alignment indicia includes at least one notch in one of the first end face and second end face, and a plurality of notches in the other of the first end face and second end face. 
     
     
         9 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the alignment indicia includes no more than a single notch in one of the first end face and second end face, and a plurality of notches in the other of the first end face and second end face. 
     
     
         10 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the alignment indicia includes at least one notch in one of the first end face and second end face, and a plurality of evenly spaced notches in the other of the first end face and second end face. 
     
     
         11 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the alignment indicia includes at least one notch in the second end face and a plurality of notches in the first end face. 
     
     
         12 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the alignment indicia includes no more than a single notch in one of the first end face and second end face, and at least 5 notches in the other of the first end face and second end face. 
     
     
         13 . The wall base block of  claim 12  wherein the 5 notches are evenly spaced apart around the curvature of the first end face. 
     
     
         14 . The wall base block of  claim 12  wherein the single notch is in the second end face and the 5 notches are in the first end face. 
     
     
         15 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the radius of curvature of the first end face and second end face is at least 5 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The wall base block of  claim 1  wherein the radius of curvature of the first end face and second end face is no greater than 6 inches. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a straight or angular base for a wall, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first wall base block having a first rounded convex end face, an opposite second rounded concave end face having generally the same radius of curvature as the first end face, first and second side faces extending between the first and second end faces; a flat top face and an opposite bottom face between the first and second end faces and the first and second side faces;
 (i) the first wall base block having alignment indicia on the top face adjacent the first and second end faces; 
   (b) orienting the first wall base block on a surface with its bottom face against the surface;   (c) providing a second wall base block having a first rounded convex end face, an opposite second rounded concave end face having generally the same radius of curvature as the first end face, first and second side faces extending between the first and second end faces; a flat top face and an opposite bottom face between the first and second end faces and the first and second side faces;
 (i) the second wall base block having alignment indicia in at least the top face adjacent the first and second end faces; 
   (d) orienting the second wall base block on the surface with the second wall base block bottom face against the surface and so that the first end face of the first wall base block is received within the second end face of the second wall base block;   (e) while orienting the second wall base block, aligning the alignment indicia of the first wall base block relative to the alignment indicia of the second wall base block to achieve a desired straight or predetermined angular shape of the base for the wall.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further including:
 (a) providing a third wall base block having a first rounded convex end face, an opposite second rounded concave end face having generally the same radius of curvature as the first end face, first and second side faces extending between the first and second end faces; a flat top face and an opposite bottom face between the first and second end faces and the first and second side faces;
 (i) the third wall base block having alignment indicia on the top face adjacent the first and second end faces; 
 
 (b) orienting the third wall base block on the surface with the third wall base block bottom face against the surface and so that the first end face of the second wall base block is received within the second end face of the third wall base block; and 
 (c) while orienting the third wall base block, aligning the alignment indicia of the first end face of the second wall base block relative to the alignment indicia of the second end face of the third wall base block to achieve the desired straight or predetermined angular shape of the base for the wall.