US20040031221A1

US20040031221A1 - Apparatus and system for constructing a vertical wall from interlocking blocks

Info

Publication number: US20040031221A1
Application number: US10/223,428
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Girard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-19
Filing date: 2002-08-19
Publication date: 2004-02-19

Abstract

An apparatus and system for constructing a vertical wall provides an overlapping arrangement secured by internally disposed rods.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and apparatus for constructing a vertical wall form a plurality of interlocking blocks. Each block has a tongue extending from opposing ends which can be mated with a tongue from another block. Each tongue has a passageway for receiving a securing rod which joins horizontally adjacent blocks to extend a tier of the wall and also to secure stacked blocks to enhance height of the wall.

The instant invention requires only one configuration of interlocking block for the construction of a vertical wall. In one embodiment of the interlocking block, no additional corner component is required and the invention teaches the use of internally disposed passageways which can be aligned to receive a securing rod which is not visible from outside of the vertical wall.

Alternative technology is available in the form of a modular wall panel system in which individual panels are constructed of a lightweight aluminum frame. U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,960 issued in 1996 to Minnick et al. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,867 issued in 1971 to Shuey for a building block construction and assemblage discloses an interconnecting member for masonry blocks.

Further, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,572 issued to Sugiyama in 1998 for a method for constructing an outdoor structure such as a gate post, gate wing or fence discloses a fence system constructed of artificial stones. And U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,918 issued to Hodel in 1992 for a setback retaining wall and concrete block and offset pin therefor. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,666 issued in 1998 to Sherry for a thin masonry veneer panel system and the fabrication thereof utilizing a set of preformed panels having interlocking edges.

The principal disadvantage of such devices are their cost and the need for framing devices. To alleviate this problem, and others which will become apparent from the disclosure which follows, the present invention conveniently allows a lightweight blow molded plastic material, a roto molded, injection molded, or the like to be erected by one individual, with all blocks being the same and with an overlapping arrangement to securely maintain the wall in place.

The citation of the foregoing publications is not an admission that any particular publication constitutes prior art, or that any publication alone or in conjunction with others, renders unpatentable any pending claim of the present application. None of the cited publications is believed to detract from the patentability of the claimed invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION

Unlike the foregoing devices which teach complicated structures that require rigid connecting posts, it will be apparent that each embodiment of the instant invention utilizes only one configuration of interlocking block. Thus, field construction of the vertical wall will substantially result in one part construction. Additionally, In the first embodiment of the interlocking block, no extra corner component is required. Moreover, both embodiment utilize internally disposed passageways which can be aligned to receive a securing rod which is not visible from outside of the vertical wall.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and apparatus for constructing a vertical wall form a plurality of interlocking blocks. Each block has a tongue extending from each end which can be mated with a tongue from another block. Each tongue has a passageway for receiving a securing rod which joins horizontally adjacent blocks to extend a tier of the wall and also to secure stacked blocks to enhance height of the wall.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: [0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an interlocking block used for constructing a vertical wall; [0013]
FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevation view of a plurality of interlocking blocks used for constructing a vertical wall; [0014]
FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of a vertical wall made from a plurality of interconnected blocks showing various connecting configurations; [0015]
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a filler section showing a third passageway disposed therein; [0016]
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a filler section of FIG. 4; [0017]
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an end of a vertical wall showing two filler sections disposed in a double gap of said end of the wall; [0018]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of an interlocking block; [0019]
FIG. 8 is a connecting block used to connect adjoining ends of two interlocking blocks as show in FIG. 7; [0020]
FIG. 9 is a partially exploded isometric perspective view of a vertical wall made from a plurality of interconnected blocks showing various connecting configurations; and [0021]
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line [0022] 10-10 of FIG. 9 showing the position of the connecting block disposed at a corner of the vertical wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments depicted in the drawing comprise methods, systems and apparatus for constructing a vertical wall from a plurality of interlocking blocks. Without departing from the generality of the invention disclosed herein and without limiting the scope of the invention, the discussion that follows, will refer to the invention as depicted in the drawing. [0023]
The preferred embodiments of the apparatus depicted in the drawing comprise an [0024] interlocking block 1 for constructing a vertical wall is taught by the instant invention. The interlocking block has a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face 14 and a rear face 16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3. The first end 2 has a first tongue 2 a extending away from one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The first tongue 2 a has a first medial surface 2 b and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the first medial surface 2 b and the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The second end 3 has a second tongue 3 a extending away from the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The second tongue 3 a has a second medial surface 3 b and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface 3 b and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. Whereby, the first medial surface 2 b of a first interlocking block can be joined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3 b of another interlocking block, as shown in FIG. 2, and the first means for interlocking 2 c can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking 3 c, to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall.
Preferably, the first means for interlocking [0025] 2 c comprises a first passageway 2 d extending from the first medial surface 2 b to the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the second means for interlocking 3 c comprises a second passageway 3 d extending from the second medial surface 3 b to the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. Moreover, each of the first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d can be adapted for use in receiving a rod 4.
As shown in FIG. 2, the [0026] first passageway 2 d of a first interlocking block and the second passageway 3 d of a second interlocking block can be arranged collinearly. Since the interlocking blocks are stacked, it is preferably that the top surface 10 and the bottom surface 12 lie in parallel planes. Preferably, the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in parallel planes. For constructing vertical walls having the top surface and the bottom surface lie in horizontal planes, albeit having the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in horizontal planes is preferred.
For the vertical wall to appear to be an assemblage of stacked stones, at least one of the [0027] front face 14 and the rear face 16 should have a textured appearance resembling one of a plurality of stacked horizontally disposed stones, timbers, boards, logs, and bricks, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. This is quite remarkable considering that a desired method of making the interlocking blocks is from a blow molded plastic. One of a molded plastic, including blow molded, roto molded and injection molded would be preferred.
A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of interlocking blocks [0028] 1 is taught by this invention. The system comprises a plurality of interlocking blocks with each having a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face 14 and a rear face 16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3. In a first preferred system, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the first end 2 has a first tongue 2 a extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue 2 a has a first medial surface 2 b and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The second end 3 has a second tongue 3 a extending away from the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The second tongue 3 a has a second medial surface 3 b and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface 3 b and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
Means for securing the first [0029] medial surface 2 b of a first interlocking block in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3 b of another interlocking block are further provided in the system to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall. A plurality of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall, as shown in the top half of FIG. 2.
Each of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall has a first unjoined end [0030] 5 and a second unjoined end 6. The first unjoined end 5 has a first tongue 2 a extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue has a first medial surface 2 b and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the first medial surface 2 b and the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the second unjoined end 6 has a second tongue 3 a extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the second tongue has a second medial surface 3 b and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface 3 b and the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. In this way, the first medial surface 2 a of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be joined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3 a of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for interlocking 2 c can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking 3 c, to form at least an extended portion of a tier of the vertical wall. Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of the at least an extended portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall.
FIGS. 2 and 3 both show the first means for interlocking [0031] 2 c comprises a first passageway 2 d extending from the first medial surface 2 b to the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the second means for interlocking 3 c comprises a second passageway 3 d extending from the second medial surface 3 b to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. Each of the first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d is adapted for use in receiving a rod 4, as the first passageway and the second passageway are preferably collinear.
The means for securing comprises at least one [0032] rod 4, each of the at least one rod being arranged in one of a series of the first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d that are collinearly disposed.
The at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall has an [0033] unjoined end edge 7 with at least one gap 8 that is adjacent to each of the first medial surface 2 b of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall that is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3 b of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and further comprising at least one filler section 9, as shown in FIG. 6. Each at least one filler section 9 is adapted for use in filling one of the at least one gap 8. Each at least one filler section 9 has a third passageway 18, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Each the at least one [0034] filler section 9 being disposed in one of the at least one gap 8, with the third passageway 18 thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d, and each the at least one filler section 9 that can be disposed in one of the at least one gap 8, with the third passageway 18 thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d. This arrangement is secured in the one of the at least one gap 10 with the at least one rod 4 disposed therein.
Another preferred embodiment of the interlocking block for constructing a vertical wall is shown in FIG. 7. The interlocking [0035] block 1 has a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face 14 and a rear face 16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3. The first end 2 has a first tongue 2 a extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue has a first medial surface 2 b and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the first medial surface 2 b and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first end 2 has a primary tongue 20 extending away from the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, the primary tongue 20 has a primary medial surface 22 and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the primary medial surface 22 and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
The [0036] second end 3 has a second tongue 3 a extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the second tongue 3 a has a second medial surface 3 b and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. The second end 3 has a secondary tongue 24 extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the secondary tongue has a secondary medial surface 24 and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the secondary medial surface 26 and the other of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The first medial surface 2 b of a first interlocking block can be joined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3 b of another interlocking block, and the first means for interlocking 2 c can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking 3 c, to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall.
The first means for interlocking [0037] 2 c comprises a first passageway 2 d extending from the first medial surface 2 b to the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10, and the second means for interlocking 3 c comprises a second passageway 3 c extending from the second medial surface 3 b to the one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10.
Each of the [0038] first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d is adapted for use in receiving a rod 4. The first passageway and the second passageway are collinear. As with the first embodiment, the top surface 10 and the bottom surface 12 preferably lie in parallel planes. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in parallel planes, which as shown lie in horizontal planes. Additionally, the first medial surface 2 b and the second medial surface 3 b lie in horizontal planes.
Again, to represent a plurality of stacked horizontally disposed stones, timbers, boards, logs, or bricks, at least one of the [0039] front face 14 and the rear face 16 have a textured appearance.
A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of interlocking blocks of this other embodiment comprises a plurality of interlocking [0040] blocks 1, each block having a top surface 10 and a bottom surface 12, a front face 14 and a rear face 16, and a first end 2 and a second end 3, as shown in FIG. 7.
The [0041] first end 2 has a first tongue 2 a extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first tongue has a first medial surface 2 b and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The first end 2 also has a primary tongue 20 extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the primary tongue has a primary medial surface 22 and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the primary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
The [0042] second end 3 has a second tongue 24 extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface, the second tongue has a second medial surface 3 b and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second end has a secondary tongue 24 extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the secondary tongue has a secondary medial surface 26 and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the secondary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. Means for connecting the first end of a first interlocking block to the second end of another interlocking block are further provided to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall.
Preferably, the first means for interlocking [0043] 2 c comprises one of a first passageway 2 d extending from the first medial surface 2 b to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and a primary passageway 36 extending from the primary medial surface 22 to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. The second means for interlocking 3 c comprises one of a second passageway 3 d extending from the second medial surface 3 b to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the secondary medial surface 26 to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. The means for connecting comprises at least one rod 4 and at least one connecting block 28, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 8, respectively.
The connecting [0044] block 28 is elongated and has two parallel holes 30 extending transversely from an upper surface 28 a to a lower surface 28 b and adapted to receive the rod 4. A first end 32 of the connecting block 28 can be disposed between the first tongue 2 a and the primary tongue 20 and one of its two parallel holes 30 can be aligned with the first passageway 2 d and the primary passageway 36 to receive one of the at least one rod, and the other end of the connecting block can be disposed between the second tongue 3 a and the secondary tongue 24 and the other of its two parallel holes 30 can be aligned with the second passageway 3 d and the secondary passageway 38 to receive another of the at least one rod 4.
As best shown in FIG. 9, the system may include a plurality of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall. [0045]
Each of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall has a first unjoined end and a second unjoined end. The first unjoined end has a first tongue [0046] 2 a extending away from one of the bottom surface 12 and the top surface 10. The first tongue has a first medial surface 2 b and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the first unjoined end has a primary tongue 20 extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. The primary tongue has a primary medial surface 22 and a first means for interlocking 2 c in operative association with the primary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.
The second unjoined end has a second tongue extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The second tongue [0047] 3 a has a second medial surface 3 b and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface. The second unjoined end has a secondary tongue 24 extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, the secondary tongue has a secondary medial surface 26 and second means for interlocking 3 c in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface. This allows the first unjoined end of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall to be connected with the means for connecting to the second unjoined end of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for interlocking can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking, to form at least an extended portion of a tier of the vertical wall.
Moreover, a plurality of the at least an extended portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall which can be secured by the means for connecting. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the [0048] first passageway 2 d and the second passageway 3 d is adapted for use in receiving a rod 4. The first passageway and the second passageway are collinear. And the means for connecting may comprise at least one rod, with each of the at least one rod being arranged in one of a collinear series of the first passageway and the second passageway.
Referring to FIG. 6, the at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall has an [0049] unjoined end edge 7 with at least one gap 8 that is adjacent to each of the first medial surface 2 b of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall that is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface 3 b of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and further comprising at least one filler section 9. Each at least one filler section adapted for use in filling one of the at least one gap. Each at least one filler section 9 has a third passageway 18, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Each the at least one filler section can be disposed in one of the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway and the second passageway. Moreover, each the at least one filler section that is disposed in one of the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway and the second passageway, is secured in the one of the at least one gap with the at least one rod disposed therein.
While this invention has been described in connection with the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention, the preferred embodiments described and shown are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as constituting any limitations of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is base, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scop of the present invention. [0050]
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of some or all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of some or all of its structures for the functions specified. [0051]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0052]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0053]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. An interlocking block for constructing a vertical wall, the interlocking block having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second end,

said first end having a first tongue extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having a first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association with the first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and

said second end having a second tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

whereby, the first medial surface of a first interlocking block can be joined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface of another interlocking block, and the first means for interlocking can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking, to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall.

2. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the first means for interlocking comprises a first passageway extending from the first medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second means for interlocking comprises a second passageway extending from the second medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface.

3. The interlocking block of claim 2, wherein each of the first passageway and the second passageway is adapted for use in receiving a rod.

4. The interlocking block of claim 2, wherein the first passageway and the second passageway are collinear.

5. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface lie in parallel planes.

6. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in parallel planes.

7. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface lie in horizontal planes.

8. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in horizontal planes.

9. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front face and the rear face have a textured appearance resembling one of a plurality of stacked horizontally disposed stones, timbers, boards, logs, and bricks.

10. The interlocking block of claim 1, wherein the interlocking block is made of one of a molded plastic, including blow molded, roto molded and injection molded.

11. A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of interlocking blocks, the system comprising:

i. a plurality of interlocking blocks, each having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second end, the first end having a first tongue extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having a first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association with the first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second end having a second tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

ii. means for securing the first medial surface of a first interlocking block in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface of another interlocking block, to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein a plurality of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall has a first unjoined end and a second unjoined end,

the first unjoined end having a first tongue extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface, said first tongue having a first medial surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association with the first medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and

the second unjoined end having a second tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

whereby, the first medial surface of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be joined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for interlocking can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking, to form at least an extended portion of a tier of the vertical wall.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a plurality of the at least an extended portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first means for interlocking comprises a first passageway extending from the first medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second means for interlocking comprises a second passageway extending from the second medial surface to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the first passageway and the second passageway is adapted for use in receiving a rod.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first passageway and the second passageway are collinear.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for securing comprises at least one rod, each of the at least one rod being arranged in one of a series of the first passageway and the second passageway that are collinearly disposed.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall has an unjoined end edge with at least one gap that is adjacent to each of the first medial surface of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall that is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and

further comprising at least one filler section, each at least one filler section adapted for use in filling one of the at least one gap, each at least one filler section having a third passageway,

each said at least one filler section being disposed in one of the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway and the second passageway, and

wherein each said at least one filler section that is disposed in one of the at least one gap, with the third passageway thereof being disposed in a collinear relationship with the first passageway and the second passageway, is secured in said one of the at least one gap with the at least one rod disposed therein.

20. An interlocking block for constructing a vertical wall, the interlocking block having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second end,

said first end having a primary tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said primary tongue having a primary medial surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association with the primary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

said second end having a second tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, and

said second end having a secondary tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said secondary tongue having a secondary medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the secondary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

21. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the first means for interlocking comprises a first passageway extending from the first medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the second means for interlocking comprises a second passageway extending from the second medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface.

22. The interlocking block of claim 21, wherein each of the first passageway and the second passageway is adapted for use in receiving a rod.

23. The interlocking block of claim 21, wherein the first passageway and the second passageway are collinear.

24. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface lie in parallel planes.

25. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in parallel planes.

26. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface lie in horizontal planes.

27. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, the first medial surface and the second medial surface lie in horizontal planes.

28. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein at least one of the front face and the rear face have a textured appearance resembling one of a plurality of stacked horizontally disposed stones, timbers, boards, logs, and bricks.

29. The interlocking block of claim 20, wherein the interlocking block is made of one of a molded plastic, including blow molded, roto molded and injection molded.

30. A system to build a vertical wall from a plurality of interlocking blocks, the system comprising:

a. a plurality of interlocking blocks, each having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front face and a rear face, and a first end and a second end,

said second end having a second tongue extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and

b. means for connecting the first end of a first interlocking block to the second end of another interlocking block, to form at least a portion of a tier of the vertical wall.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein

a. the first means for interlocking comprises one of a first passageway extending from the first medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and a primary passageway extending from the primary medial surface to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface;

b. the second means for interlocking comprises one of a second passageway extending from the second medial surface to the one of the bottom surface and the top surface, and the secondary medial surface to the other of the bottom surface and the top surface; and

c. the means for connecting comprises at least one rod and at least one connecting block, said connecting block being elongated and having two parallel holes extending transversely from an upper surface to a lower surface and adapted to receive the rod,

whereby, a first end of the connecting block can be disposed between the first tongue and the primary tongue and one of its two parallel holes can be aligned with the first passageway and the primary passageway to receive one of the at least one rod, and the other end of the connecting block can be disposed between the second tongue and the secondary tongue and the other of its two parallel holes can be aligned with the second passageway and the secondary passageway to receive another of the at least one rod.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein a plurality of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least a portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein each of the at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall has a first unjoined end and a second unjoined end,

the first unjoined end having a primary tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said primary tongue having a primary medial surface and a first means for interlocking in operative association with the primary medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

the second unjoined end having a second tongue extending away from one of the bottom surface and the top surface, said second tongue having a second medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the one of the bottom surface and the top surface,

the second unjoined end having a secondary tongue extending away from the other of the bottom surface and the top surface, said secondary tongue having a secondary medial surface and second means for interlocking in operative association with the second medial surface and the other of the bottom surface and the top surface,

whereby, the first unjoined end of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be connected with the means for connecting to the second unjoined end of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and the first means for interlocking can be operatively associated with the second means for interlocking, to form at least an extended portion of a tier of the vertical wall.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein a plurality of the at least an extended portion of the tier of the vertical wall can be stacked to form at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall which can be secured by the means for connecting.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein each of the first passageway and the second passageway is adapted for use in receiving a rod.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first passageway and the second passageway are collinear.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the means for connecting comprises at least one rod, each of the at least one rod being arranged in one of a collinear series of the first passageway and the second passageway.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the at least an extended portion of a multi-tiered vertical wall has an unjoined end edge with at least one gap that is adjacent to each of the first medial surface of a first at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall that is unjoined in a face to face relationship with the second medial surface of another at least a portion of the tier of the vertical wall, and