Retaining wall block and grid system
A retaining wall block and grid system for forming multiple course walls. The system includes a block having a front surface, a rear surface, first and second side surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface including a downwardly depending projection that is configured to engage the rear surface of a block in a lower course of blocks. The top or bottom surfaces may be provided with a groove that is configured to receive a fixation bar, which may be partially wrapped or otherwise connected to a flexible anchor sheet or geo-grid so as to provide the block with a positive connection to a geo-grid. The top and bottom surfaces may be provided with grooves that cooperate to capture and retain a fixation bar and associated geo-grid that are positioned between adjacent courses.
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/616,572 filed Oct. 6, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to retaining walls. More particularly, the present invention relates to manufactured blocks that are used to construct mortarless retaining walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRetaining walls can be both functional and decorative and range from small gardening applications to large-scale construction. Such walls are typically used to maximize horizontal surface areas by providing lateral support between differing ground levels, and reduce the possibility of erosion and slumping. They may be constructed of a variety of materials and shapes. Some have been constructed of wood timbers, others of rock in a natural form (such as limestone). Still others have been constructed of manufactured aggregate or concrete blocks.
Present mortarless wall building methods usually include laying a course of blocks, filling the space behind the course with fill material, packing the fill material, and carefully removing extraneous fill material from the top of each completed course prior to the addition of the next course, and then adding another course of blocks thereabove. However, as the coursework grows higher and higher, the ability of the wall to retain soil decreases.
There is a need for a way in which small retaining wall blocks are able to be assembled into multi-course retaining walls that are able to resist pressure exerted by soil placed therebehind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA retaining wall block, a geo-grid, and a fixation bar that forms a system that enables a wall to resist pressure from backfill or soil placed therebehind is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a retaining wall block comprises a front surface, a rear surface, opposing side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is provided with a downwardly depending projection that is configured to engage the rear surface a block in a lower course of blocks, and an upwardly extending groove that traverses the block from one opposing side surface to the other opposing side surface. The groove is configured and arranged to receive a fixation bar, which may be partially wrapped or otherwise connected to a flexible anchor sheet or geo-grid. Preferably, the groove and the fixation bar are configured to cooperate in such a way that the bar retains a portion of the anchor sheet within the groove. This arrangement serves to positively connect the block to the sheet in a restraining engagement. It will be understood that one or more geo-grids may be connected to one or more fixation bars and unrolled into the backfill material that is placed behind the retaining wall blocks. As will be appreciated, the groove may be located between the front and rear surfaces of the block. Preferably though, the groove is located between the front surface and the block engagement surface of the downwardly depending projection.
In an alternative embodiment, a retaining wall block comprises a front surface, a rear surface, opposing side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. As with the previous embodiment, the bottom surface is provided with a downwardly depending projection that is configured to engage the rear surface of a block in a lower course of blocks. And, as with the previous embodiment, the bottom surface may be provided with an upwardly extending groove that traverses the block from one opposing side surface to the other opposing side surface. In this embodiment, however, the block may be provided with another, second groove. This groove extends downwardly from the top surface of the block. When the block in this embodiment includes both lower and upper surface grooves, the grooves cooperate to receive a fixation bar, which may be partially wrapped or otherwise connected to a flexible anchor sheet or geo-grid. As will be appreciated, the lower groove may be omitted from the block, if desired. It will be understood that the position of the lower and upper grooves may be positioned anywhere along the depth of the block from a point adjacent the front surface to the block engaging surface of the downwardly depending projection.
The front surfaces of the aforementioned preferred embodiments may be configured to have a plurality of planar segments or they may be curvilinear. However, it is understood that other configurations are possible. For example, the front surfaces may be planar, angular, or prismatic and have a wide variety of finishes. In addition, the front surface of a single block may be provided with alpha-numeric characters, or with simulative decorative characters or objects in bas or alto relief.
The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a relatively small block that is able to be used to construct relatively large retaining walls that are able to resist pressure from backfill material.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown in
As depicted in the Figures, rear surface 18 has a smaller width than front surface 12 and side surface 14 and 16 converge rearwardly and intersect with rear surface 18 at oblique angles thereto. This forms a generally trapezoidal shape that facilitates construction of straight, concave, convex, or serpentine walls without producing large gaps between vertical joints of adjacent blocks. It is envisioned that the block may be formed in other configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The bottom surface 22 of the block extends from front surface 12 to rear surface 18 and from side surface 14 to side surface 16. The bottom surface 22 includes a downwardly depending projection 30, which may extend across bottom surface 22, Preferably, the projection 30, is situated adjacent rear surface 18 of the block. More preferably, the projection is spaced from the rear surface 18 by a rear ledge 38 (see,
The bottom surface 22 of the block also includes an upwardly extending groove 40 that traverses the block 10 from one opposing side surface 14 to the other opposing side surface 16. As best show in
Referring now to
In use, as the second course of blocks is completed and the area behind the course is backfilled, an elongated fixation bar is positioned on the top surface of the block. Then a geo-grid or anchor sheet is positioned over the fixation bar and the third course block is placed on top. When the third course block settles into position, the geo-grid and the fixation bar are received within the groove, thus providing a positive connection between the third course block and the geo-grid. The wall structure 9 of
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown in
As depicted in
The bottom surface 122 of the block extends from front surface 112 to rear surface 118 and from side surface 114 to side surface 116. The bottom surface 122 includes a downwardly depending projection 130, which may extend across bottom surface 122 in a manner similar to the projection depicted in
The bottom surface 122 of the block also includes an upwardly extending groove 140 that traverses the block 110 from one opposing side surface 114 to the other opposing side surface 116. As best show in
Referring now to
In use, as the first course of blocks is completed and the area behind the course is backfilled, a geo-grid may be positioned over the downwardly extending groove 144. Then an elongated fixation bar 170 is positioned on the geo-grid to urge it into the groove 144. Then a second course of blocks may be positioned on top of the first course of blocks. As the second course of blocks is completed and the area behind the course is backfilled, an elongated fixation bar may be positioned in the downwardly extending groove 144 on the top surface of the block. Then a geo-grid or anchor sheet is positioned over the fixation bar and the third course block is placed on top. When the third course block settles into position, the geo-grid and the fixation bar are received within the groove, thus providing a positive connection between the third course block and the geo-grid. The wall structure 9 of
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, 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. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A retaining wall and grid system comprising:
- a plurality of courses of masonry blocks with at least two vertically adjacent courses, wherein at least one block in the two vertically adjacent courses comprises; a body having a front surface, a rear surface spaced from the front surface, a first side surface, a second side surface spaced from the first side surface, the first and second side surfaces extending from the front surface to the rear surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface spaced from the top surface and with the top and bottom surfaces extending from the front surface to the rear surface and from the first side surface to the second side surface, with at least one of the top or bottom surfaces having a groove formed therein, with the groove traversing the width of the block from the first side surface to the second side surface, the body being free of through-holes; an anchor sheet interposed between said at least one block and a vertically adjacent block and extending rearwardly of said block, and at least a portion of the sheet extending within the groove; and, a fixation bar disposed transversely between said one block and the vertically adjacent block substantially within the groove in restraining engagement with the flexible anchor sheet.
2. The retaining wall and grid system of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface further comprises a downwardly depending projection configured and arranged to engage a vertically adjacent block in the plurality of courses of blocks.
3. The retaining wall and grid system of claim 2, wherein the groove is in close proximity to the projection.
4. The retaining wall and grid system of claim 2, wherein the projection is adjacent the rear surface of said block.
5. The retaining wall and grid system of claim 4, wherein the groove is spaced apart from the downwardly depending projection between the front and rear surfaces.
6. The retaining wall and grid system of claim 1, wherein said block further comprises a second groove, with the groove that traversing the width of the block from the first side surface to the second side surface, with the groove configured and arranged to substantially receive a second fixation bar disposed therein.
7. A retaining wall structure comprising:
- a plurality of blocks arranged in a plurality of generally horizontal courses stacked on top of each other, each block comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface spaced from the top surface; a front surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; a rear surface spaced from the front surface, the rear surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface; spaced apart side surfaces extending between the top, bottom, front, and rear surfaces; with the top or bottom surface of at least one block of the plurality of blocks further comprising a groove that traverses the block from one side surface to the other side surface, and with the spaced-apart side surfaces of said at least one block being non-parallel;
- an anchoring sheet having two ends, with one end positioned between said block having a groove on one of said top or bottom surfaces and a vertically adjacent block of the plurality of blocks, and with the other end of the anchoring sheet extending into material being retained by the wall; and,
- an elongated bar disposed substantially within the groove in restraining engagement with the flexible anchor sheet.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 6, 2005
Publication Date: May 11, 2006
Inventor: Brian Price (Rochester, MN)
Application Number: 11/245,680
International Classification: E04H 9/00 (20060101);