U.S. patent application number 10/632516 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for interlocking segmental retaining wall.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shaw Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth L. Shaw.
Application Number | 20060171784 10/632516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22386659 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060171784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shaw; Kenneth L. |
August 3, 2006 |
Interlocking segmental retaining wall
Abstract
An interlocking segmental retaining wall. The wall includes a
plurality of blocks stack upon each other. Each block includes a
void filled with aggregate. In addition, each block includes an
extension and slot for interlocking the blocks together to form the
retaining wall. Each block also includes a plurality of lugs and an
indentation for aligning and stacking the blocks on each other. The
blocks may also be stacked to form a curved retaining wall. In an
alternate embodiment, the blocks may have tabs located on an upper
portion of each block. Each block is laterally positioned by
centering the block upon the top of two lower block.
Inventors: |
Shaw; Kenneth L.; (Double
Oak, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stanley R. Moore;Jenkens & Gilchrist
A Professional Corporation
1445 Ross Avenue; Suite 3200
Dallas
TX
75202-2799
US
|
Assignee: |
Shaw Technologies, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
22386659 |
Appl. No.: |
10/632516 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10192002 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
6652197 |
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10632516 |
Jul 31, 2003 |
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09502587 |
Feb 11, 2000 |
6464432 |
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10192002 |
Jul 8, 2002 |
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60119833 |
Feb 12, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
405/286 ;
405/284 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 29/025 20130101;
E02D 2300/002 20130101; E02D 29/0241 20130101; E02D 2600/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/286 ;
405/284 |
International
Class: |
E02D 5/00 20060101
E02D005/00; E02D 17/00 20060101 E02D017/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A retaining wall block for use in forming a retaining wall
having at least a lower row and a upper row, said block comprising:
front, back, left, and right body portions forming a void within an
interior area of the block; and a plurality of tabs located on an
upper surface of said block, said plurality of tabs operable to be
received by the void of a block of said upper row, and wherein said
plurality of tabs are located rearward of the void of said
block.
3. The block of claim 2, wherein said plurality of tabs are
substantially rectangular.
4. The block of claim 2, wherein a lower surface of said block is
substantially planar.
5. The block of claim 2, wherein said plurality of tabs are
operable to receive a portion of a geogrid.
6. The block of claim 2, wherein a front face of said plurality of
tabs aligns with a rear interior face of said void.
7. The block of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tabs are arranged
laterally between the left and right body portions.
8. The block of claim 2, wherein said front, back, left, and right
body portions comprise: exterior side faces; and interior side
faces.
9. The block of claim 8, wherein the plurality of tabs are located
forward of the exterior face of said back body portion.
10. The block of claim 8, wherein said plurality of tabs comprise
front, back, interior, and exterior faces.
11. The block of claim 10, wherein the exterior face of one of said
plurality of tabs aligns with the exterior face of said left body
portion.
12. The block of claim 10, wherein the exterior face of one of said
plurality of tabs aligns with the exterior face of said right body
portion.
13. The block of claim 10, wherein the interior face of one of said
plurality of tabs aligns with the interior face of said left body
portion.
14. The block of claim 10, wherein the interior face of one of said
plurality of tabs aligns with the interior face of said right body
portion.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(E) & 37 C.F.R.
.sctn. 1.78
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon
the prior U.S. provisional application entitled, "Improved
Interlocking Segmental Retaining Wall", application No. 60/032,133,
filed Feb. 12, 1999, in the name of Larry Shaw.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to retaining walls and, more
particularly, to an interlocking segmental retaining wall.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Retaining walls having been used in landscaping and
construction for many years. Retaining walls are used to support or
retain soil, or its equivalent, in place. Retaining walls are also
used to enhance the appearance of the surrounding area.
[0006] Retaining walls are constructed in many different ways. For
example, wooden beams may be utilized. However, one of the most
popular, and aesthetically pleasing forms of constructing a
retaining wall involves the use of segmental blocks. The blocks may
be stacked one on top of the other to form a pattern on an outside
face of the retaining wall. It can be very time consuming and
tedious aligning numerous blocks to form the proper pattern in the
retaining wall. In addition, designers of retaining walls are
constantly striving to construct retaining walls providing greater
strength to support a greater weight. A retaining wall is needed
which provides enhanced structural support and is simple and
inexpensive to manufacture.
[0007] Although there are no known prior art teachings of a
solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming such as
that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject
matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,761 to Rossi (Rossi), U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,288
to Borcherdt (Borcherdt), U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,898 to Beretta
(Beretta), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,216 to Sievert (Sievert).
[0008] Rossi discloses dry-mounted construction elements for use in
a retaining wall. Each element has a bottomless container having
vertical partitions that are disposed to delimit a large front
space which serves as a flower pot, and at least two smaller rear
spaces which serve as root cavities. The construction has a rear
portion which has a notch disposed on each upper side edge of the
container, and two small cavities or spaces behind the notches. The
elements may be stacked in a vertical offset by placing an
extension on a top element into a slot on a bottom element.
Although Rossi discloses a plurality of notches for aligning and
stacking the blocks on each other, when the blocks are used in a
curved wall, there are gaps between the blocks at the front of the
wall, which is a serious disadvantage. Additionally, Rossi
discloses a complicated series of openings within each block, which
can be very costly to manufacture.
[0009] Borcherdt discloses a retaining wall constructed from
conventional concrete building blocks. A sheet member having
protrusions is used to align and interlock the building blocks
together. The sheet member may be used as a tie-back, such as for
anchoring the retaining wall to backfill material. However,
Borcherdt does not teach or suggest a plurality of lugs and
indentations for aligning the blocks. Borcherdt merely discloses
utilizing a sheet member for aligning and interlocking the blocks
together. Additionally, Borcherdt does not teach or suggest
stacking the blocks in a vertical offset, which is necessary to
increase the overall strength of the retaining wall.
[0010] Beretta discloses a retaining wall having a series of
blocks. Each block has a cambered front with tapering side walls.
Each side wall has a portion radiused to the front, with mutually
opposite insertion-coupling members and seats for interlocking with
an adjacent block. Additionally, each block has an abutment on an
upper portion of the block for engagement with a supporting element
defined on a lower part at the front of an adjacent block. However,
Beretta does not teach or suggest interlocking and stacking the
blocks in a vertical offset, which would be advantageous in
providing a stronger retaining wall.
[0011] Sievert discloses a retaining wall having a plurality of
composite masonry blocks. Each block has a block body having an
irregular trapezoidal shape. The block has a front surface, a back
surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a first and second
sidewall. Each sidewall has a first and second part. The first part
of the sidewall extends from the block front surface towards the
block back surface at an angle of no greater than ninety degrees in
relationship to the block front surface. The sidewall second part
adjoins and lies between the first part and the block back surface.
In addition, the block also has a flange extending from the block
back surface past the height of the block. However, Sievert does
not disclose a block having a void. Additionally, Sievert does not
teach or suggest utilizing an extension and slot for interlocking
and stacking the blocks in a vertical offset.
[0012] Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a retaining
wall which is simple to construct and which provides greater
support, while maintaining the aesthetic beauty of the segmental
block pattern. It is an object of the present invention to provide
such a retaining wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In one aspect, the present invention is an interlocking
segmental retaining wall having at least a first row and a second
upper row resting on top of the first row. Each of the rows
includes one or more blocks. Each of the blocks includes a block
body having a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a
second side wall forming a void within an interior area of the
block. The walls have an upper surface and a lower surface. Each
block also includes a plurality of lugs located on the lower
surface of the block adjacent to the void and a lug indentation
located on the upper surface of the block adjacent to the void. The
lug indentation is sized to accommodate at least one lug from an
upper block of the second row. Each block also includes an
extension located on a bottom portion of the back wall of the block
and a slot located on an upper portion of the back wall of the
block. The slot provides a support for the extension of an upper
block from the upper row of the retaining wall to rest. When
stacking the blocks on top of each other, a lug from the upper
block is inserted into the lug indentation of the lower block and
the extension of the upper block rests on the slot of the lower
block.
[0014] In another aspect, the present invention is an interlocking
segmental retaining wall having at least a first row and a second
upper row resting on top of the first row. Each of the rows
includes one or more blocks. Each of the blocks includes a block
body having a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, and a
second side wall forming a void within an interior area of the
block. The walls have an upper surface and a lower surface. Each
block also includes a plurality of tabs located on the upper
surface of the back wall adjacent to the void. The plurality of
tabs are vertically extended from the upper surface of the back
wall. Each upper block is positioned on top of a lower block of the
first row by positioning a tab of the lower block within the void
of the upper block against a lower inner side of the back wall
adjacent the void.
[0015] In still another aspect, the present is an interlocking
segmental retaining wall. The wall includes a first row of segment
blocks with a plurality of lower segment blocks. Each of the lower
segment blocks includes a left side wall, a right side wall, a
front wall, and a rear wall, forming a central void in each block.
Each of the walls has an upper surface. The rear wall also has a
lateral slot in an upper rear portion forming a cutout step at the
back of the block and a lug indentation located on a front side of
the upper surface of the rear wall adjacent to the void and
laterally centered between the left side wall and the right side
wall. The wall also includes a second row of segment blocks having
a plurality of upper segment blocks. Each of the upper segment
blocks includes a left side wall, a right side wall, a front wall,
and a rear wall, forming a central void in each block. Each of the
walls has a lower surface. The rear wall includes an extension that
extends downward at the back of the block beyond the lower surfaces
of the front and side walls. The rear wall also includes first and
second lugs located on a front side of the lower surface of the
rear wall adjacent to the void at the right and left edges of the
void. An upper block is laterally centered over two lower blocks by
placing one of the lugs of the upper block in the lug indentation
of a lower block.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will be better understood and its numerous
objects and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled
in the art by reference to the following drawings, in conjunction
with the accompanying specification, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a segment block in
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the segment block of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the segment block of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the segment block of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a retaining wall which
utilizes a plurality of blocks according to the teachings of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
retaining wall block;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the block of FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of the block of FIG.
6; and
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a retaining wall which
utilizes a plurality of blocks in an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention is an interlocking segmental retaining
wall.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a segment block 1
in a first embodiment of the present invention. The block is used
in the construction of an interlocking segmental retaining wall 3
(FIG. 5). The block is typically constructed of some rigid
material, such as concrete or brick. The block includes a void 5
within an interior portion of the block. In the preferred
embodiment, the void is located within the center of the block
1.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the segment block 1 of FIG. 1.
The block includes a plurality of lugs 7, located on the outer
edges of the void 5. The lugs 7 are outcroppings of the block used
for aligning the segment block with another block. An indentation 9
is located on an outer center edge of the void 5. The indentation
provides an area for placement of the plurality of the lugs 7 of
adjacent blocks stacked on top of the block and horizontally
offset. The indentation can accommodate one or more lugs.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of the segment block 1 of FIG. 1. The
block includes an extension 11 located on a bottom portion of a
back wall side 13 of the block. The extension 11 is an outcropping
of the block. In addition, the block includes a slot 15, located on
a top portion of the back wall side 13 of the block. The width of
the slot 15 is narrower than the width of the extension 11.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the segment block 1 of FIG.
1. The extension 11 is divided into a plurality of tabs 17. The
tabs may be removed when constructing a curved retaining wall
(discussed below).
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retaining wall 3
utilizing a plurality of blocks 1 according to the teachings of the
present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the structure of the
retaining wall 3 will now be explained. The blocks are stacked one
on top of another. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the placement
of a block is centered upon the top of two lower blocks, by
staggering the top block one half unit. By staggering the blocks, a
running bond pattern can be achieved, which provides an appealing
design. The alignment of the blocks is achieved by locating the
lugs 7 of an upper block with the indentation 9 of a lower
block.
[0032] The extension 11 of an upper block is placed upon the slot
15 of a lower block. Since the extension is wider than the slot,
when the blocks are stacked, a vertical offset is achieved. This
offset increases the overall stability and strength of the wall.
Additionally, the extensions and slots provides an interlocking
means between the blocks, allowing a greater strength in the
retaining wall 3.
[0033] A geo-grid 19 may be placed between each layer of blocks.
The geo-grid is commonly used in retaining walls to provide
additional support to the retaining wall 3. However, with the
addition of the slots 15 and the extensions 11, an increased
frictional coefficient is achieved between the geo-grid and the
blocks, which provides a stronger support for the retaining wall.
Aggregate may be placed within each void 5 of the blocks, again
enhancing the overall strength of the retaining wall.
[0034] The tabs 17 allow the retaining wall 3 to be curved, if
desired. In order to provide a curved shape to the retaining wall,
the outer tabs 17 of each block are removed. Additionally, the lugs
7 of each corresponding block are removed. This allows the blocks
to be stacked at an angle.
[0035] The retaining wall 3 provides both increased strength as
well as a pleasing appearance. In addition, the construction of the
wall is simplified by the lugs and indentation on the blocks.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a block 21 in an
alternative embodiment of the present invention. The block 21 is
used in the construction of a retaining wall 23 (FIG. 10). The
block 21 is constructed of a similar material as the block 1. The
block 21 includes a void 25 within an interior portion of the
block.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the block 21 of FIG. 6. The
block 21 does not have any lugs or indentations as described for
block 1, but includes a plurality of upper tabs 27 located on a top
portion of a back inner wall side 29 adjacent the void 25. The tabs
are outcroppings of the block. Although two tabs are illustrated,
any number of tabs may be utilized.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a right side elevational View of the block 21 of
FIG. 6. Unlike the block 1, the block 21 does not have a slot 15 at
the top rear corner of the block.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the retaining wall 23
utilizing a plurality of blocks 21 in an alternate embodiment of
the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 6-10, the structure of
the retaining wall will now be explained. The blocks are stacked
one on top of another. However, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the
lateral placement of each block is centered upon the top of two
lower blocks, by staggering the top block one half-unit to the
right or left. The lateral alignment of the blocks is achieved by
aligning one of the upper tabs 27 of a lower block within the void
25, and against the back inner wall side 29, of an upper block
positioned on top of the lower block. Each adjacent block can be
similar positioned to achieve the desired pattern achieved for the
retaining wall 3 illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0040] The positioning of the back inner wall side 29 of a upper
block 21 against one of the upper tabs 27 of a lower block creates
a vertical offset. As discussed for the retaining wall 3, the
offset increases the overall stability and strength of the wall.
Additional, the geo-grid 19 may be utilized between each layer of
blocks in a similar manner as discussed above. Aggregate may also
be placed within each void 25, thereby increasing the overall
strength of the retaining wall 23.
[0041] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of
the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing
description. While the apparatus shown and described has been
characterized as being preferred, it will be readily apparent that
various changes and modifications could be made therein without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
* * * * *