SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ELEVATING A RETAINING WALL PANEL
A support member for elevating a retaining wall panel includes a base arrangement with a first area that engages an underlying mounting surface. A height elevating section extends from the base arrangement to a third area. The height elevating section has a receiving area configured to connect to a wall panel. A sloped surface extends between the base arrangement proximate the first area and the height elevating section proximate to the third area. The sloped surface is configured to support a load bearing panel.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/887,898 filed on Aug. 16, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention is directed to a support member for elevating a panel of a retaining wall. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a support member for use when building an ice skating rink on ground that is sloped or otherwise unleveled.
BACKGROUNDIn cold climates it is common to create a structure on a yard, field, or hard court that acts as a perimeter for an outdoor ice skating rink. Prior art ice rinks are often made from wooden, plastic, or metal boards and brackets that form the perimeter of the rink and a water impermeable liner that covers the perimeter and provides a barrier for the water and ice. Ice skating rinks that are set up in this manner must be portable and easily assembled because the ice rinks are moved and are erected and taken down on an annual basis. It is important that the assembly is easy while also producing a safe, complete ice skating rink for the user.
One of the main challenges in constructing temporary outdoor ice skating rinks is the slope of the underlying surface. If the underlying surface is sloped, the water that will eventually freeze into ice gathers or pools at the lower end of the rink due to the force of gravity. As a result, the area under the ice rink must be relatively flat or the water will collect and freeze into ice that is uneven and does not reach entirely across the ice rink. Prior art temporary outdoor ice skating rinks allow for a maximum of one vertical foot of slope across the entire ice rink.
There are no economically feasible or widely available solutions for allowing more than one vertical foot of slope across the area of the portable ice rink. One prior art solution, is to have the yard or surface professionally graded. This option is prohibitively time intensive and costly for the land owner. Having a suitably graded surface is often undesirable to the land owner because it can significantly hinder drainage. Another prior art solution is to use taller boards to hold deeper water at one end of the rink. These deep-water solutions use heavily-reinforced boards to withstand the very large force generated by several feet of water pressing against the board. This option is prohibitively expensive because the wall structures must be highly reinforced to withstand the force generated by the water. This option also requires a very large amount of friction between the boards and the ground itself, necessitating large metal or plastic spikes or stakes that penetrate the underlying surface. Penetrating the underlying surface in this manner is also often undesirable to the land owner.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an economically feasible, easily assembled temporary ice skating rink that allows more than one foot of slope across the rink.
SUMMARYThere is disclosed herein a support member for elevating a retaining wall panel. The support member includes a base arrangement with a first area (A). The base arrangement engages a mounting surface. A height elevating section extends from the base arrangement near the first area (A) to a second area (C). The height elevating section has a first receiving area that receives a wall panel. A sloped surface extends between the base arrangement near the first area (A) and the height elevating section near the second area (C). The sloped surface supports a load bearing panel extending between the first area (A) and the second area (C).
In some embodiments, the sloped surface includes at least one mounting area that receives a lateral brace member.
In some embodiments, a tension member secures to a second receiving area of the support member.
In some embodiments, the base arrangement includes an anti-skid feature.
In some embodiments, the support member is a unitary body.
In some embodiments, a gusset extends between the base arrangement, the height elevating section and the sloped surface.
In some embodiments, the base arrangement, the height elevating section and the sloped surface are connected to one another.
In some embodiments, an opening extends laterally through the support member.
In some embodiments, the base arrangement, the height elevating section, and the sloped surface form a triangular shape or an A-shape.
In some embodiments, the support member has a first side face and a second side face defining a lateral thickness (T1).
In some embodiments, the sloped surface is at a first angle (δ) relative to the base arrangement. In some embodiments, the first angle (δ) is between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees.
In some embodiments, the height elevating section has an edge oriented at a second angle (α), relative to the base arrangement. In some embodiments, the second angle (α) is less than 90 degrees.
In some embodiments, the height elevating section has an edge oriented at a second angle (α), relative to the base arrangement. In some embodiments, the second angle (α) is about 87 degrees.
In some embodiments, the first receiving area supports the wall panel vertically, when the base arrangement is positioned on the mounting surface.
In some embodiments, the height elevating section extends a height (H1) and the base arrangement extends a length (L1). The support member has an aspect ratio equal to the thickness (T1) divided by a sum of the height (H1) plus the length (L1).
In some embodiments, the aspect ratio is a fractional number.
In some embodiments, the aspect ratio is greater than 1.0.
In some embodiments, the height elevating section slopes inwardly toward the first area (A).
In some embodiments, the height elevating section slopes outwardly away from the first area (A).
In some embodiments, the height elevating section is positioned a predetermined distance (H2) above the mounting surface.
In some embodiments, a lip extends from the base arrangement near the first area (A). The lip has a panel receiving area that receives an end of a load bearing panel.
In some embodiments, the receiving area of the height elevating section abuts the wall panel vertically when the base arrangement is positioned on the mounting surface.
In some embodiments, the support member is an elongate beam.
In some embodiments, the support member is a flat sheet.
In some embodiments, the sloped surface removeably secures to the base arrangement and the height elevating section.
In some embodiments, the sloped surface is selectively positionable on and removeably secured to the base arrangement and the height elevating section.
In some embodiments, the base arrangement and the height elevating section are L-shaped.
In some embodiments, the base arrangement and the height elevating section are a unitary member.
In some embodiments, the height elevating section is integral with the wall panel.
In some embodiments, the wall panel extends from the sloped surface.
In some embodiments, the wall panel and the sloped surface are L-shaped.
In some embodiments, the wall panel and the sloped surface are oriented at an angle (θ2) relative to one another and the angle (θ2) is less than 90 degrees.
In some embodiments, the base arrangement forms a shim receiving slot.
In some embodiments, a second sloped surface extends from the first side face or the second side face.
In some embodiments, the second sloped surface is integral with the first side face or the second side face.
In some embodiments, the second sloped surface removeably secures to the first side face or the second side face.
There is also disclosed herein a retaining wall elevating structure including a support member and a load bearing panel on the support member.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the load bearing panel extends along a slope between the mounting surface near the first area (A) to the height elevating section near the second area (C).
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a wall panel extends vertically upward from the mounting surface and the wall panel is positioned substantially vertically in the first receiving area.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a liner drapes over the wall panel and the load bearing panel.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the load bearing panel is disposed on and extends over two support members.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a lateral brace member extends between the two support members.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the load bearing panel is supported by the lateral brace member.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the support member is positioned substantially inwardly of the wall panel.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a number of support members of a first support member size, a second support member size, and a third support member size. The first support member size is smaller than the second support member size and the second support member size is less than the third support member size.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a wall panel is in each adjacent pair of the support members and the wall panels all intersect a common horizontal plane (WL).
In some embodiments, at least one wall shim is in the receiving area to adjust a height of the wall panel.
In some embodiments, at least one wall shim is under the support member to adjust a height of the wall panel.
There is also disclosed herein a retaining wall elevating member including a sloped sheet and an integral wall panel extending at an angle.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating member, the wall panel and the sloped sheet are L-shaped.
In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating member, the wall panel and the sloped sheet are oriented at an angle (θ2) relative to one another and the angle (θ2) is less than 90 degrees.
There is also disclosed herein, an ice skating rink including the retaining wall system.
In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, the support members are positioned substantially inside the rink.
In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, a liner drapes over a number of tension members. The tension members extend under the liner and are in frictional engagement with the mounting surface. One of the tension members is secured to each of two generally opposing support members.
In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, a bracket supports a retaining wall and a liner draped over a number of tension members extending under the liner and in frictional engagement with the mounting surface. One of the tension members is secured to one of the supports and a bracket.
In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, the bracket is located substantially outside of the ice skating rink.
In some embodiments of the support member, the base arrangement extends from the first area (A) to a third area (B) near the mounting surface.
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In the depicted embodiments, the base arrangement 14 has an anti-skid feature 14A to increase the friction between the bottom of the base arrangement 14 and the mounting surface 1. In the depicted embodiments, the anti-skid feature 14A is a series of angled teeth extending from the base arrangement 14. Other features, such as pins, protrusions, ribs, or other means of increasing the friction between the base arrangement 14 and the mounting surface 1 do not depart from the device disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the lower surface of the base arrangement 14 is substantially smooth. In the depicted embodiments, the support member 10 is a unitary body, but other arrangements do not depart from the devices disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the base arrangement 14, the height elevating section 16, and the sloped surface 20 are separate pieces connected to one another. In some embodiments, a gusset 10G extends between the base arrangement 14, the height elevating section 16, and/or the sloped surface 20.
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In some embodiments, the ice skating rink 2000 includes tension members 5 extending under the water impermeable liner 50 and in frictional engagement with the mounting surface 1. Referring to
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Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A support member for elevating a retaining wall panel, the support member comprising:
- a base arrangement having a first area, the base arrangement being configured to engage a mounting surface;
- a height elevating section extending from the base arrangement proximate the first area to a second area, the height elevating section having a first receiving area configured to receive a wall panel;
- a sloped surface extending between the base arrangement proximate the first area and the height elevating section proximate the second area, the sloped surface being configured to support a load bearing panel extending between the first area and the second area.
2. The support member of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface comprises at least one mounting area for receiving a lateral brace member.
3. The support member of claim 1, further comprising a second receiving area for securing a tension member thereto.
4. The support member of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement comprises an anti-skid feature.
5. The support member of claim 1 comprised of a unitary body.
6. The support member of claim 1, further comprising a gusset extending between the base arrangement, the height elevating section and the sloped surface.
7. The support member of claim 1, further wherein the base arrangement, the height elevating section and the sloped surface are connected to one another.
8. The support member of claim 1, further comprising an opening extending laterally therethrough.
9. The support member of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement, the height elevating section and the sloped surface form one of a triangular shape and a A-shape.
10. The support member of claim 1, having a first side face and a second side face defining a lateral thickness between the first side face and the second side face.
11. The support member of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface is at a first angle relative to the base arrangement and wherein the first angle being from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.
12. The support member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section comprises an edge oriented at a second angle relative to the base arrangement, the second angle being less than 90 degrees.
13. The support member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section comprises an edge oriented at a second angle relative to the base arrangement, the second angle is about 87 degrees.
14. The support member of claim 11, wherein the first receiving area is configured such that the wall panel is configurable in a vertical orientation when the base arrangement positioned on the mounting surface.
15. The support member of claim 10, wherein the height elevating section extends a height and the base arrangement extends a length, and the support member has an aspect ratio equal to the thickness divided by a sum of the height plus the length.
16. The support member of claim 15, wherein the aspect ratio is a fractional number.
17. The support member of claim 15, wherein the aspect ratio is greater than 1.0.
18. The support member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section slopes inwardly toward the first area.
19. The support member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section slopes outwardly away from the first area.
20. The support member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section is positioned a predetermined distance above the mounting surface.
21. The support member of claim 1, further comprising a lip extending from the base arrangement proximate the first area, the lip having a panel receiving area configured to receive an end of a load bearing panel therein.
22. The support member of claim 1, wherein the receiving area of the height elevating section is configured to abut the wall panel in a vertical orientation when the base arrangement is positioned on the mounting surface.
23. The support member of claim 1, comprising an elongate beam.
24. The support member of claim 1, comprising flat sheet configuration.
25. The support member of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface is removeably secured to the base arrangement and the height elevating section.
26. The support member of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface is selectively positionable on and removeably secured to the base arrangement and the height elevating section.
27. The support member of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement and the height elevating section have an L-shaped configuration.
28. The support member of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement and the height elevating section are a unitary member.
29. The support member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section is integral with the wall panel.
30. The support member of claim 1, wherein the wall panel extends from the sloped surface.
31. The support member of claim 1, wherein the wall panel and the sloped surface have an L-shaped configuration.
32. The support member of claim 1, wherein wall panel and the sloped surface are oriented at an angle relative to one another and wherein the angle is less than 90 degrees.
33. The support member of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement has a shim receiving slot formed therein.
34. The support member of claim 1, at least one of the first side face and the second side face have a second sloped surface extending therefrom.
35. The support member of claim 34, wherein the second sloped surface is integral with the at least one of the first side face and the second side face.
36. The support member of claim 34, wherein the second sloped surface is removeably secured to the at least one of the first side face and the second side face.
37. A retaining wall elevating structure comprising:
- at least one of the support members of claim 1; and
- at least one load bearing panel disposed on the at least one support member.
38. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, wherein the load bearing panel extends in a sloped manner between the mounting surface proximate the first area to height elevating section proximate second area.
39. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, further comprising a wall panel extending substantially vertically upward from the mounting surface and positioned substantially vertically along the first receiving area.
40. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, further comprising liner draped over the wall panel and the load bearing panel.
41. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, further comprising:
- at least two support members of any one of the preceding claims; and wherein the load bearing panel is disposed on and extends over the at least two support members.
42. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, further comprising at least one lateral brace member extending between the at least two support members.
43. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 41, wherein the load bearing panel is supported by the at least one lateral brace member.
44. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, wherein the support member is positioned substantially inwardly of the wall panel.
45. A retaining wall system, comprising a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members comprising a first support member size, a second support member size and a third member support size, wherein the first support member size is smaller than the second support member size and the second support member size is less than the third support member size.
46. The retaining wall system of claim 45, wherein a wall panel is disposed in each adjacent pair of the support members so that the wall panels all intersect a common horizontal plane.
47. The retaining wall system of claim 45, further comprising at least one wall shim disposed in the receiving area to adjust a height of the wall panel.
48. The retaining wall system of claim 45, further comprising at least one support shim disposed under the support member to adjust a height of the wall panel.
49. A retaining wall elevating member comprising:
- a sloped sheet; and
- a wall panel integral with and extending at an angle.
50. The retaining wall elevating member of claim 49, wherein the wall panel and the sloped sheet have an L-shaped configuration.
51. The retaining wall elevating member of claim 49, wherein wall panel and the sloped sheet are oriented at an angle relative to one another and wherein the angle is less than 90 degrees.
52. An ice skating rink comprising the retaining wall system of claim 45.
53. The ice skating rink of claim 52, wherein the support members are positioned substantially inside the rink.
54. The ice skating rink of claim 52, further comprising a liner draped over a plurality of tension members, the tension members extending under the liner and being in frictional engagement with the mounting surface, one of the tension members being secured to each of two generally opposing support members.
55. The ice skating rink of claim 52, further comprising a bracket for supporting a retaining wall and a liner draped over a plurality of tension members extending under the liner and in frictional engagement with the mounting surface, one of the tension members being secured to one of the support members and a bracket.
56. The ice skating rink of claim 55, wherein the bracket is located substantially outside of the ice skating rink.
57. The support member of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement extends from the first area to a third area proximate to the mounting surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 14, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 18, 2021
Inventor: Dylan Gastel (Boston, MA)
Application Number: 16/993,801