Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Rainey
Thomas L. Rainey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20090196695Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks. The retaining means includes a pair of retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. Each retaining bar has at least front, base, and side faces. The reinforcement member is secured between the front faces of the retaining bars through wedging action produced by force being applied to the base face of the second one of the retaining bars. Other systems and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Publication number: 20090047075Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of reinforcement member retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. A first of the retaining means secures the at least one reinforcement member against the bottom of the slot and a second of the retaining means secures the first retaining members against the side of the slot, such that the at least one reinforcement member is additionally secured between the pair of retaining means. Other systems and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 7445407Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of reinforcement member retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. A first of the retaining means secures the at least one reinforcement member against the bottom of the slot and a second of the retaining means secures the first retaining members against the side of the slot, such that the at least one reinforcement member is additionally secured between the pair of retaining means. Other systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 7390146Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, among others, can be implemented as follows. A modular wall block system includes a plurality of wall blocks comprising first wall blocks of a first shape and second wall blocks of a second shape and at least one continuous passageway running from a top of a wall to a bottom of the wall formed from the plurality of wall blocks. The wall blocks are configured such that the at least one continuous passageway is formed when a plurality of blocks are laid side by side in a tier and stacked one atop of another to form an additional tier. In a further embodiment, the wall blocks also include third wall blocks of a third shape. Other systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 7114887Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A modular block wall system includes a vertical passageway formed within the wall from a top surface of the wall to a bottom surface of the wall and a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock and each having a proximal portion extending into the passageway. The system further includes at least one elongate member positioned within the vertical passageway directly adjacent the proximal portions of the tieback rods, wherein tensile forces imposed upon the tieback rods are transmitted to the at least one elongate member so as to distribute the tensile forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall. Other systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 6935812Abstract: A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, at least one elongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tieback rods, a washer positionable about the proximal portions of the tieback rod in abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedly securable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washer against the force distribution member such that tensile forces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the force distribution member so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 6921231Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
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Publication number: 20040179903Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
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Publication number: 20040131429Abstract: A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, at least one elongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tieback rods, a washer positionable about the proximal portions of the tieback rod in abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedly securable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washer against the force distribution member such that tensile forces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the force distribution member so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 6758636Abstract: A wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
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Patent number: 6652196Abstract: A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, at least one elongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tieback rods, a washer positionable about the proximal portions of the tieback rod in abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedly securable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washer against the force distribution member such that tensile forces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the force distribution member so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: 6612784Abstract: A modular earth retaining wall system comprising a plurality of similarly configured wall blocks that have lock channels and lock flanges that provide a locking mechanism for resisting leaning or toppling of the blocks. A positive retaining mechanism is also provided for attaching reinforcement fabrics to the retaining wall in between mating courses of wall blocks. This mechanism secures the reinforcement fabrics in place and permits the fabrics to extend along the entire contact area between adjacent stacked wall blocks to avoid an aggregate leaning effect. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining bar that is placed on top of the reinforcement fabric within the lock channel. The retaining bar holds the fabric against a wall of the lock channel in response to tensile loads applied to the fabric to prevent it from being pulled out of the retaining wall.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
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Publication number: 20030072621Abstract: A retaining wall anchoring system for a segmental retaining wall comprising a plurality of tieback rods adapted to be embedded into soil or rock with a proximal portion extending therefrom, at least one elongated force distribution member positionable directly adjacent the proximal portion of at least one of the tieback rods, a washer positionable about the proximal portions of the tieback rod in abutment with the force distribution member, and a fastener fixedly securable to the proximal portion of the tieback rod to securely clamp the washer against the force distribution member such that tensile forces imposed on the tieback rod are transmitted to the force distribution member so as to distribute these forces throughout a portion of the retaining wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Publication number: 20020172563Abstract: The present invention relates to a wall block for use in a segmental retaining wall system. The wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from the exterior face to the interior face, and a top surface and a bottom surface. Further provided in the wall block is a channel defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and an arcuate bottom surface. The channel extends across one of the faces and surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
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Publication number: 20020094241Abstract: A modular earth retaining wall system comprising a plurality of similarly configured wall blocks that have lock channels and lock flanges that provide a locking mechanism for resisting leaning or toppling of the blocks. A positive retaining mechanism is also provided for attaching reinforcement fabrics to the retaining wall in between mating courses of wall blocks. This mechanism secures the reinforcement fabrics in place and permits the fabrics to extend along the entire contact area between adjacent stacked wall blocks to avoid an aggregate leaning effect. The retaining mechanism includes a retaining bar that is placed on top of the reinforcement fabric within the lock channel. The retaining bar holds the fabric against a wall of the lock channel in response to tensile loads applied to the fabric to prevent it from being pulled out of the retaining wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
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Patent number: 6416257Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: D526067Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: D527113Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: D530832Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Earth Reinforcement Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas L. Rainey
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Patent number: RE39922Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey