RETAINING WALL BLOCK SYSTEM WITH MODULATING HEIGHTS, WIDTHS, AND INCLUDED ANGLES

Abstract

A system of retaining wall blocks suitable for constructing a retaining wall comprising a modified arc segment shape cap block, a modified arc segment shape first wall block, and a modified arc segment shape second wall block.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/838,205, entitled “Masonry Blocks,” filed Jun. 21, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retaining wall blocks, and more specifically to a system of retaining wall blocks having modulating heights, widths, and angles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retaining wall blocks can be manufactured and arranged in a variety of different ways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system of retaining wall blocks suitable for constructing a retaining wall comprising a trapezoidal cap block, a trapezoidal first wall block, and a trapezoidal second wall block.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1C are diagrams of retaining wall blocks in accordance with in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A through 2C are diagrams of a first retaining wall module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A through 3C are diagrams of a second retaining wall module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 4A through 4D are diagrams of a multi height retaining wall in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIGS. 1A through 1C are diagrams of retaining wall cap 100 and blocks 200 and 300 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, cap block 100 is an modified arc segment having modified inner and outer radius surfaces, which are flattened to form a modified arc segment shape block having a length L₁, outer width W, height H, an included angle α and an inner radius R, and can be used as a cap stone for placement on top of a retaining wall, such as where the retaining wall blocks are hollow and the cap stone is used to cover the hollow portion. As shown in FIG. 1B, first wall block 200 is an arc segment having modified inner and outer radius surfaces, which are flattened to form a modified arc segment shape block having a length L₂, outer width 2W, height 3H, and included angle 2α and an inner radius R, and can be used to form the retaining wall. The hollow feature of first wall block 200 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 1C, second wall block 300 is an arc segment having modified inner and outer radius surfaces, which are flattened to form a modified arc segment shape block having a length L₂, outer width 3W, height 2H, an included angle 3α and an inner radius R, and can be used to create variable and aesthetically-pleasing wall designs, as shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C. Length L₁ can be greater than, equal to or less than length L₂. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, length L₁ is slightly larger than length L₂, allowing cap block 100 to overhang first wall block 200 or second wall block 300. In this fashion, cap block 100 serves as a cap stone to a retaining wall comprised of first wall blocks 200, second wall blocks 300 and other suitable wall blocks. Essentially, the retaining wall blocks can be arranged as desired, such as shown, and the radial dimensions of the blocks allow the blocks to be configured so as to follow a contour, and to create a semi-random looking pattern. The various dimensions and number of blocks shown are exemplary, and other suitable dimensions and numbers of blocks can also or alternatively be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, radius R refers to the distance between the inner radius of the sidewalls and a center point located at the intersection point of imaginary lines extending from the side walls of cap block 100, first wall block 200 or second wall block 300. However, radius R can extend to any suitable location along the sidewalls of cap block 100, first wall block 200 or second wall block 300, and can generally refer to a point that is common to cap block 100, first wall block 200 or second wall block 300, such as where those blocks overlap. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, cap block 100, first wall block 200, and second wall block 300 can all have included angles Nα (where N is typically an integer) and radii R such that the blocks are capable of modulating arrangements as described below.

FIGS. 2A through 2C are diagrams of a module of retaining wall blocks in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C, two (2) cap blocks 100 can be positioned on a first wall block 200 to act as a cap stone. In addition, block 200 has a roughened texture on a front surface and rounded edges along the sides. In one exemplary embodiment, the roughened texture is created by splitting a larger block into two parts, and the rounded edges are formed by a rounded insert in the block mold. A splitting process can be used that creates the roughened and rounded edges at the top and bottom edges of the blocks.

FIGS. 3A through 3C are diagrams of a module of retaining wall blocks in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 3A through 3C, three (3) cap blocks 100 can be positioned on a second wall block 300 to act as a cap stone. In addition, block 300 has a roughened texture on a front surface and rounded edges along the sides. In one exemplary embodiment, the roughened texture is created by splitting a larger block into two parts, and the rounded edges are formed by a rounded insert in the block mold. A splitting process can be used that creates the roughened and rounded edges at the top and bottom edges of the blocks.

FIGS. 4A through 4D are diagrams of a multi height retaining wall in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In another exemplary embodiment, a set of concrete blocks suitable for constructing a serpentine wall comprising a cap block 100, having height H, midpoint radius R and included angle α, first wall block 200, having height n*H, midpoint radius R and included angle m*α, and a second wall block 300, having height i*H, midpoint radius R and included angle j*α are provided. In another exemplary embodiment, cap block 100 can be a fractional element of wall blocks 200, 300.

As shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D, cap block 100, first wall block 200, and second wall block 300 can be arranged as desired to form an aesthetically pleasing, yet sturdy retaining wall assembly. For example, blocks 100, 200, 300 may be stacked and/or assembled end to end to form a straight or contoured retaining wall. The present disclosure enables blocks 100, 200, 300 to be arranged side-to-side with abutting front faces or side-to-side with abutting front and back faces (i.e. an inversed side-by-side arrangement), so as to allow the retaining wall to define or follow landscape contours. The cap blocks 100 cover the hollow portions of first wall block 200 and second wall block 300, to serve aesthetic purposes and to prevent an unsightly wall configuration. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hollow cavities of the retaining wall blocks 200 and 300 can be filled with dirt, gravel, stone, concrete, rebar, or any other conventional material suitable to provide for a sturdy retaining wall assembly.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. A system of retaining wall blocks suitable for constructing a retaining wall comprising:

a cap block of modified arc segment shape, having height H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle A;

a first wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height n*H, two opposing sides with a midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle m*A; and

a second wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height i*H, two opposing sides with a midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle j*A.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the cap block having a length L1; and

the first wall block and second wall blocking having a length L2, wherein L1 is greater than, equal to, or less than L2.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein L1 is greater than L2.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the first wall block having height 3*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle 2*A; and

a second wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height 2*H, opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle 3*A.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wall block further comprises an interlocking lip configured to engage with a second first wall block or a second wall block.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second wall block further comprises an interlocking lip configured to engage with a first wall block or a second second wall block.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one first module, the first module including a first wall block and two cap blocks deposited on a top surface of the first wall block.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one second module, the second module including a second wall block and three cap blocks deposited on a top surface of the second wall block.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wall block and second wall block further comprise a textured front face having rounded edges.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wall block further comprises at least one hollow cavity.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second wall block further comprises at least one hollow cavity.

12. A method of constructing a retaining wall, the method comprising:

arranging a first wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height n*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius R and included angle m*A, adjacent to a second wall block, having height i*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius R and included angle j*A; and

capping the first wall block and second wall block with a plurality of cap blocks having height H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius R and included angle A, wherein the plurality of cap blocks have dimensions relative to the first wall block and second wall block.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first wall block and second wall block further comprise at least one hollow cavity.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

arranging a first module having a first wall block and two cap blocks deposited onto a top surface of the first wall block.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

arranging a second module having a second wall block and three cap blocks deposited onto a top surface of the second wall block.

16. In a system having a cap block of modified arc segment shape, having height H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle A, a first wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height n*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle m*A, the first wall block further comprising at least one hollow cavity, and a second wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height i*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle j*A, the second wall block further comprising at least one hollow cavity, a method comprising:

arranging the first wall block of modified arc segment shape, having height n*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius R and included angle m*A, adjacent to the second wall block, having height i*H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle j*A; and

capping the first wall block and second wall block with a plurality of cap blocks having height H, two opposing sides with midpoint radius of approximately R and included angle A, wherein the plurality of cap blocks have dimensions relative to the first wall block and second wall block.