With Retaining Wall Patents (Class 405/262)
  • Patent number: 6793436
    Abstract: A connecting system for connecting a first mesh sheet to a member comprising a housing member, a first loop portion, and a first pin member. The housing member defines a loop passageway, and the housing member is adapted to be rigidly connected to the member. The first loop portion is formed on the first mesh sheet and extends into the loop passageway. The first pin member extends through the first loop portion of the first mesh sheet such that a force applied to the first mesh sheet away from the housing member causes the first pin member to engage the housing member and the loop portion to inhibit movement between the first mesh sheet and the member. In one preferred embodiment, the member is a concrete panel. In another preferred embodiment, the member is a second mesh sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: SSL, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Ruel, Dave Swanson
  • Patent number: 6793444
    Abstract: A mechanical anchor includes an anchor unit that is divided into a plurality of divided anchor units which are movably connected to a tension rod to be moved in lateral directions. The anchor unit is opened or closed by the movement of the divided anchor units, and the anchor unit forms a cylindrical shape when the divided anchor units are closed. A driving member for opening or closing the anchor unit is mounted on an inner side of the anchor unit in such manner that the driving member is extended in a longitudinal direction of the anchor unit. The driving member and each of the divided anchor units are connected with each other so that the driving force of the driving member is equally applied on each of the divided anchor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignees: Kabushikigaisha Jiban Shikenjo, Koyo Kogyo Kabushikigaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Kondo, Katsuyoshi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20040179903
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
  • Publication number: 20040179902
    Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall. The retaining wall system comprises a panel structure, an anchor mesh panel, and a lock member. The wall panel defines an exposed face and a rear face. An insert is partly embedded within the wall panel such that a portion of the insert is spaced from the rear face of the wall panel to define a lock opening. The anchor mesh panel comprises at least one tension member defining an anchor axis. The tension member is bent at a first edge location to define a bearing portion. The lock member is inserted through the lock opening to engage the tension member and the insert to inhibit relative movement between the anchor mesh panel and the wall panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Steven V. Ruel
  • Publication number: 20040179901
    Abstract: A soil nailing system includes a temporary retaining wall for an excavation sidewall. Soil nails extend outwardly into the soil sidewall and are integrated with the temporary retaining wall. The soil nails comprise an easily shearable reinforcing rod made, for example, of fiberglass so that the area containing the soil nails can be excavated after permanent walls are provided in the excavation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Steven A. Kulchin
  • Publication number: 20040161306
    Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall. The retaining wall system comprises at least one panel structure, at least one anchor mesh panel, and at least one connecting pin. The panel structure comprising a wall panel and at least one insert. The wall panel defines an exposed face and a rear face. A first portion of the insert is embedded within the wall panel. A second portion of the insert extends from the rear face of the wall panel such that the second portion and the rear face of the wall define at least one lock opening. The anchor mesh panel defines a bearing portion and a bearing bar. The anchor mesh panel is arranged such that the bearing bar engages the second portion of the insert and the bearing portion is arranged adjacent to the rear face. The connecting pin is inserted through the at least one lock opening to inhibit relative movement between the anchor mesh panel and the wall panel when loads are applied to the wall panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Steven V. Ruel
  • Publication number: 20040151550
    Abstract: A block for use in constructing a multiple course retaining wall. The block has a substantially planar top surface, a front surface, wherein said front surface is of a substantially curvilinear shape, a rear surface, opposed side surfaces, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a predetermined area and a non-planar portion, with the non-planar portion comprising a continuous area making up at least one-quarter of the bottom surface and creating a cavity between the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of a lower course of blocks when the block is placed on the top surface of the lower course of blocks. The cavity allows dirt and other foreign matter to exist between successive courses of blocks without creating instability between the block and the lower course of blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald P. Price, Raymond R. Price
  • Patent number: 6769222
    Abstract: A below ground wall anchoring and straightening device including a horizontally disposed elongate rod member and an earth anchor secured to one end of the rod member. An elongate wall brace plate is attached intermediate its ends to the other end of the rod member and a wall brace plate extends upright in its direction of elongation and this elongate plate is secured at its bottom end to a base portion of the wall structure to be straightened. The rod member includes a fastener for engaging the rod member and thereby pressing the elongate plate against the wall to anchor and straighten the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph W. Billante
  • Patent number: 6764252
    Abstract: A retaining wall system having at least one wall section. Each wall section including a base, retaining face and a hinge. The base having a front, rear and sides. The retaining face having a top, bottom and sides. The hinge connecting the front of the base to the bottom of the retaining face. Whereby the hinge allows the retaining face to be folded to and from the base. The retaining face includes an open grid pattern between the top, bottom and sides. The wall section further includes a plurality of receiving elements on each of the sides of both the base and retaining face to allow different angle settings between the base and retaining face. A brace is connected to one of the receiving elements on the base and one of the receiving elements on the retaining face on each side of the wall section between the base and retaining face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Murray Sinclair Banting
  • Patent number: 6761509
    Abstract: A retaining wall with stacked courses of concrete modules, each module having an upright front wall, two upright lateral walls, and a bottom wall. Each lateral wall has a front edge adjoining the front wall, a back edge spaced from the front edge, and upright ribs extending in-wardly outwardly from the lateral wall. The upright ribs are spaced equally from the front wall. Each lateral wall also has a provision for receiving a batten which, if pulled backwardly, bears against the upright ribs. A geogrid is anchored to the modules by the batten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Jan Erik Jansson
  • Publication number: 20040131429
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
  • Publication number: 20040131430
    Abstract: A retaining-wall block has a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight, and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening. In some cases the block has a second cavity with openings for collecting liquid and for passing collected liquid out of the second cavity to adjacent blocks in an assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mark A. Boys
  • Patent number: 6758636
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
  • Publication number: 20040118071
    Abstract: A retaining wall with a series of differently sized, pre-formed blocks. Each block includes a projection and a recess, with the projection and recess arranged and configured so that each projection effectively engages a recess in an adjacent course to connect and align adjacent courses in registry. Retaining walls made of horizontal blocks may be stacked in columnar fashion or running bond fashion. The location of the indexing surface on a projection relative to the viewable surface of the block may be varied to enable adjacent courses to be coplanar or tiered in a variety of predetermined offset distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond R. Price, Gerald P. Price
  • Publication number: 20040109729
    Abstract: A soil reinforced retaining wall for an earthen embankment is formed by screwing nails into the embankment at spaced intervals. The nails have helical threads extending therearound of such proportion and pitch as to screw into the formation as the nails are driven into place with a vibratory hammer, without prior boring of the embankment to accommodate the nails, or the necessity of cementing the nails into place. The wall is constructed from the top down and face panels are progressively assembled over the embankment and secured in place by the nails. In a preferred embodiment the nails have an elongate tubular body of a polyhedral cross-section and the threads are formed by twisting the body about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: William B. Hilfiker, Enayat S. Aziz
  • Patent number: 6745537
    Abstract: A modular wall or fence construction system includes at least first and second I-profile blocks, each having an I-shape in planform. The I-shape defines a parallel pair of flanges across opposite ends of a web extending between the flanges. The I-profile blocks have generally planar and parallel upper and lower surfaces and a uniform vertical height. Each of the flanges of the first and second I-profile blocks have radiused rib keys formed in opposite parallel edges of the flanges. The edges are distal on the flanges relative to the web. A first pair of the radiused rib keys are a pair of convex rails along the parallel edges on a first side of the web. A second pair of the radiused rib keys are a pair of concave channels along the parallel edges on a second side of the web opposite the first side of the web. Each flange has oppositely disposed, on opposite edges, one convex rail and one concave channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Roderick Bruce Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6742967
    Abstract: A fastening system is invented for fasten the soil nails (which are used in cut areas) and the reinforced retaining structures (which are used in fill areas). The system is to connect the two and form an integrated body to prevent sliding plane passing through the interface of the two. The fastening system includes coupling elements, struts, flanges, steel pipes, cables, annular sleeve and clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventors: Nelson N. S. Chou, Chia-Cheng Fan
  • Publication number: 20040088931
    Abstract: A fastening system is invented for fasten the soil nails (which are used in cut areas) and the reinforced retaining structures (which are used in fill areas). The system is to connect the two and form an integrated body to prevent sliding plane passing through the interface of the two. The fastening system includes coupling elements, struts, flanges, steel pipes, cables, annular sleeve and clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Nelson N.S. Chou, Chia-Cheng Fan
  • Publication number: 20040081517
    Abstract: A sectional headwall (10) for a drain pipe (72) includes a unitary base member (12), a unitary sectional member (14) positioned on top of the base member (12), and a unitary lid member (16) positioned on top of the sectional member (14). The unitary base member (12) includes two longitudinally extending walls (42, 44) and two end walls (46). The base member (12) further includes a sleeve (48) extending between and connecting the longitudinal walls (42, 44). The sleeve (48) defines an aperture (50) extending through the longitudinal walls (42, 44) for receiving a drain pipe (72). A drain pipe adapter (80) may be inserted into the aperture (50) to accommodate different sized drain pipes (72).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Henry B. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6719498
    Abstract: A slope stabilizer in which both a ground anchorage and a soil nail are located in a single borehole. The ground anchorage includes a plurality of ground anchorages, each including a tensile member bonded to the bore grout along substantially its whole length. The slope stabilizer has the advantage of allowing the ground to be pre-stressed using the ground anchorages. However, an active zone of the ground is also stabilized by the soil nail, which allows a lighter facing structure to be used than is normal with ground anchorages. Economy of operations is obtained, as a number of items are included in a single borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Keller Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Donald Barley
  • Patent number: 6719487
    Abstract: The structuring unit is composed of a wall surface member for the construction with a mounting cavity formed therein, such as a stone, and an anchor mounted on the wall surface member for the construction through the mounting cavity thereof. The anchor is provided with a resistance-increasing member at the opposite side thereof. The anchor is composed of a linear member extending over the full length of the anchor, a protective layer for protecting the linear member from physical damages, and a flexible layer for preventing water or the like from penetrating into a gap between the linear member and the protective layer. The construction such as a revetment or the like is built by laying plural rows of the structural units over one another and embedding the plural rows of the structural units with filling materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kankyo Kogaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Yukimoto, Kiyonori Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6715965
    Abstract: Retaining walls are formed from one or more tiers of concrete blocks. Top projections on all except the uppermost tier of blocks are received in recesses in the bottom of blocks in an adjacent upper tier. The top of the retaining wall may be finished with blocks which have a surface portion recessed below an upper edge of the face of the block for extending top soil or other material up to the block face. Alternately, the top blocks may form a drainage ditch which extends along at least a portion of the top of the retaining wall. Blocks used in tiers below the uppermost tier may have troughs suitable for filling with soil and plants. The exposed faces of the blocks are textured and, optionally, may be colored to simulate the appearance of stone or rocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Redi-Rock International, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Manthei, James A. Manthei
  • Publication number: 20040062613
    Abstract: A retaining wall system having at least one wall section. Each wall section including a base, retaining face and a hinge. The base having a front, rear and sides. The retaining face having a top, bottom and sides. The hinge connecting the front of the base to the bottom of the retaining face. Whereby the hinge allows the retaining face to be folded to and from the base. The retaining face includes an open grid pattern between the top, bottom and sides. The wall section further includes a plurality of receiving elements on each of the sides of both the base and retaining face to allow different angle settings between the base and retaining face. A brace is connected to one of the receiving elements on the base and one of the receiving elements on the retaining face on each side of the wall section between the base and retaining face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Murray Sinclair Banting
  • Publication number: 20040062614
    Abstract: A method of constructing a retaining wall by connecting one or more layers of reinforcing sheet material, such as a polymeric geogrid, to the rear of one or more wall panels via slots defined in the rear walls of the panels having an angular locking section inside the panels adapted to retain U-shaped end sections of the reinforcing material carrying a connection bar that is cammed into the locking sections of the slots by a wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Robert B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6709201
    Abstract: Connectors for use in a retaining wall and a retaining wall having grooved blocks configured to receive the connector. Connectors can be used in various orientations within the grooves of the blocks. In a retaining wall, a flexible geosynthetic material fits into a channel of a channel connector, and is held in place by an elongate bar. The connector prevents abrasion of geosynthetic material. The connector can also be a plurality of spaced-apart projections for use with an apertured, relatively rigid geogrid. The connectors hold geogrid firmly in place, providing for increased connection capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Race
  • Publication number: 20040052587
    Abstract: A soil nailing system includes a temporary retaining wall for an excavation sidewall. Soil nails extend outwardly into the soil sidewall and are integrated with the temporary retaining wall. The soil nails comprise an easily shearable reinforcing rod made, for example, of fiberglass so that the area containing the soil nails can be excavated after permanent walls are provided in the excavation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Steven A. Kulchin
  • Publication number: 20040052589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for constructing a pre-stressed modular construction for supporting or retaining an applied load. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for pre-stressed modular retaining walls. The system comprises a plurality of header stacks constructed from a variety of header units. The header stacks are coupled by structural members. Active reinforcement elements are used to induce a pre-stressing force into the header stacks to support or retain the applied load. A method for constructing the modular construction is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Cyrrus G. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20040037654
    Abstract: A modular retaining watt has tiers of headers which extend into compacted backfill material and tiers of stretchers which extend between headers to form the front face of the wall. Vertical pins, extending between successive headers in each stack of headers, facilitate precise emplacement of headers during construction of the wall. Layers of geosynthetic mesh reinforcement reinforce the load bearing capability of the backfill. Load forces in the backfill are sustained by forward ends of the layers of geosynthetic mesh reinforcement, which extend upward in front of the backfill and then backward into the backfill, instead of being sustained by the stretchers. A sizable space behind the stretchers may be filled with loose topsoil to facilitate growth of landscaping plantings on the face of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: John E. Peterson, Deh-Jeng Jang
  • Patent number: 6685400
    Abstract: A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall. The retaining wall system comprises a plurality of face panels, a plurality of anchor mesh panels, and a plurality of connecting pins. The face panels each comprise a wall portion and at least one connecting portion. Each connecting portion defines a void system comprising at least one third passageway that intersects the mesh opening. In use, the face panels are stacked in a plurality of vertically spaced rows with openings between vertically spaced wall portions. The anchor mesh panels are buried within the earthen wall with a portion of one of the anchor mesh panels inserted into each of the mesh openings. Connecting pins are inserted into one of the third passageways and one of the mesh openings to connect the anchor mesh panels to the face panels. The earthen wall is accessible through the gaps or openings defined by the wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: SLL, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Ruel, David Swanson
  • Publication number: 20040018061
    Abstract: In a retaining wall comprising stacked courses of concrete modules, each module has unitary walls including a front wall, two lateral walls, and a bottom wall, the front and lateral walls being upright. Each lateral wall has a front edge adjoining the front wall, a back edge spaced from the front edge, an upright rib extending inwardly from said lateral wall, and an upright rib extending outwardly from said lateral wall, the upright ribs being spaced equally from the front wall. Each lateral wall has a provision, such as a recess opening upwardly or an opening through that lateral wall, which is adapted to receive and receives a batten so that the batten can extend through said lateral wall and which is positioned where the batten if pulled backwardly can bear against the upright ribs of said lateral wall. In each of at least some of the courses, a batten is received by the provisions of the lateral walls of at least some of the concrete modules and a geogrid is anchored to the same modules, by the batten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jan Erik Jansson
  • Publication number: 20040013474
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a wale for use in bracing a retaining wall. The wale is comprise of a back wall, a front wall having a channel formed therein, and a plurality of connecting walls connecting the back and front walls to form at least one chamber between the back and front walls. In one embodiment, the wale is of unitary construction and the plurality of connecting walls includes top and bottom walls which form a single chamber between the back and front walls. In an alternative embodiment, the wale is of a unitary construction and the plurality of connecting walls includes a top, upper reinforcing, lower reinforcing, and bottom walls, which form a plurality of chambers between the back and front walls. The wale may by made of a pultruded composite material such as a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) resin impregnated composite. A seawall system using such a waler is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Shane E. Weyant, Dustin L. Troutman
  • Patent number: 6679656
    Abstract: A connection for securing a geogrid fabric to between two tiers of concrete blocks which are stacked to form an earth retaining wall. A groove is formed in the top of each block in the lower tier to extend across the width of each block substantially parallel to the face of the block. The fabric is positioned to extend from the rear of the block over the groove and a first rod is positioned in the groove over the fabric. The fabric is folded to wrap around the first rod to extend past the groove towards the rear of the block and a second rod is positioned in the groove over the fabric to the rear of the first rod. When an upper tier of blocks is stacked on the lower tier, the rods and fabric are locked into the groove in the lower blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Redi-Rock International, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Manthei
  • Patent number: 6666625
    Abstract: A support post for use in the construction of a retaining wall comprises a single, rigid plate member, the bottom portion of which is pointed so that the plate member can be readily driven into the ground a distance sufficient to ensure minimal movement of the plate member. The upper portion of the plate member has at least one aperture (and preferably several pairs of apertures) in it, through which a bolt, screw or nail may be passed to hold a wall member (for example, a plank) firmly against the plate member. If the plate member is roll formed from steel sheet, it will normally have ridges or folds to improve its stiffness. A spike may extend below the plate member, and a rod may extend upwardly from the top of the plate member and be fitted with a support for a wire, cable, hose or a fence post. A support post for use at corners of a retaining wall has two half-plate members welded to a steel rod with an included angle of up to 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Anthony Thornton
  • Patent number: 6663323
    Abstract: A retaining-wall block has a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight, and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening. In some cases the block has a second cavity with openings for collecting liquid and for passing collected liquid out of the second cavity to adjacent blocks in an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Mark A. Boys
  • Publication number: 20030223825
    Abstract: Mechanically stabilized retaining wall structures are comprised of a stabilized earth mass connected to a precast concrete panel facing wall. A lengthwise adjustable turnbuckle style connector assembly accommodates horizontal and vertical offsets in the connection points. An array of the connection assemblies comprise a three-dimensional space truss that accomodates wall movement horizontally and vertically with respect to the wall face as well as perpendicular to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: The Reinforced Earth Company
    Inventors: Michael Timmons, Roger Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 6651401
    Abstract: A retaining wall comprising a series of differently sized, pre-formed horizontal and vertical blocks. Each block includes a projection and a recess, with the projection and recess arranged and configured so that each projection effectively engages a recess in an adjacent course to operatively connect adjacent courses together. The horizontal, blocks are formed in incremental thicknesses and may be stacked in various combinations equivalent to the height of the vertical, blocks. The location of the abutment member relative to the block may be varied to enable adjacent courses to be coplanar or tiered in a variety of predetermined offset distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwood Retaining Walls Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Price, Gerald P. Price
  • Patent number: 6652196
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
  • Publication number: 20030213203
    Abstract: A stablized retaining wall structure comprising concrete blocks stacked in an array of superimposed rows, and with a stable anchoring assembly being in restraining contact with selected blocks. A retainer detent extends from the top surface of a wall of the block between the outer surface of the block and the hollow core. An earthen fill zone is arranged in spaced apart relationship to the rear surface of the retaining wall and clean granular back-fill is interposed between the retaining wall and the earthen fill zone. A retainer device is provided to couple selected wall blocks to a remote stable anchoring assembly, with the retainer device being configured to be restrainably held within the hollow core. One end of an elongated fastener is coupled to the retainer device, with the fastener extending outwardly through the retainer detent and secured to the remote stable anchoring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Allan Block Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Bott, Robert A. Gravier
  • Publication number: 20030210960
    Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part 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 surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
  • Publication number: 20030194279
    Abstract: A block for use in constructing a retaining wall having a bottom with a non-planar portion which creates a gap between the bottom surface and the top surface of a lower course of similar blocks when the block is placed thereon. This gap assists the block in resting on the lower course of blocks in a stable, level manner by providing a space where small amounts of rubble and dirt may exist without interfering with the stacking of the blocks. The non-planar, preferably concave, portion is also advantageous in that it reduces the unit weight of the block without significantly affecting the structural integrity of the block. Preferably, the block's bottom surface further comprises a plurality of grooves which further reduce the weight of the block and provide additional clearance in the gap for larger stones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald P. Price, Raymond R. Price
  • Patent number: 6632048
    Abstract: A retaining wall, supported by a footer, foundation or conventional retaining wall, includes a plurality of post-tensioning rods anchored in the underlying support and extending through the cells of blocks forming the courses of the retaining wall. An elongated apertured plate or a plurality of individual plates rest upon the next to last course to penetrably receive the threaded ends of each of the rods. Nuts engage the threaded ends of the rods to draw the rods to the plate and place them in tension. The top course rests upon the plate or plates and may be constructed as a bond beam. The rods extending from the support may be located adjacent the said side of the retaining wall and bent away therefrom to penetrate the plate or plates at the lateral midpoint of the plate or plates and thereafter extend essentially vertically upwardly. To add an extended wall supported on the bond beam, couplings may be threadedly engaged with the rod ends. Further rods threadedly engage the couplings and extend upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Pyramid Retaining Walls, LLC
    Inventor: Harold H. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6616382
    Abstract: The present invention includes block molds and manufacturing processes as well as a composite masonry block comprising a block body having an irregular trapezoidal shape and comprising a front surface and a back surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, and first and second sidewalls. Both the first and second sidewalls have a first and second part, the sidewall first part 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 surfaces adjoins and lies between the sidewall first parts and the block back surface. The block also has a flange extending from the block back surface past the height of the block. Also disclosed are landscaping structures such as a retaining wall comprising a plurality of the composite masonry blocks of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Woolford, Dick J. Sievert
  • Patent number: 6612784
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Rainey, Svenn Borgersen, John W. Turgeon-Schramm
  • Patent number: 6607332
    Abstract: A method for reinforcing a slope in which field ground deformation characteristics of an unstable slope can be rapidly and reliably judged and the unstable slope recovered and restored to its own natural state by introduction and application of an earth reinforcement theory, where apparent cohesion is increased by reinforcement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Soo-Yong Kang
  • Patent number: 6604891
    Abstract: A drainage unit for an earth retaining wall system to provide water drainage from a vertical drainage sheet through the retaining wall to reduce hydrostatic pressure on the retaining wall. The drainage unit comprises a drainage collector for attaching to a sheet drain to collect and discharge water that flows into the sheet drain. A drain hub is included in the drainage collector for being mounted in fluid communication with the sheet drain to receive and channel water for discharge. A discharge extension is included in the drainage collector that extends from the drain hub for discharging water through the retaining wall. A retainer is provided for engaging the discharge extension after passing through the sheet drain and securing the drain hub and discharge extension in position on the sheet drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Daryl Wurster
  • Publication number: 20030147705
    Abstract: A revetment block for use forming an articulating revetment mat. The revetment block has first and second ends and first and second sidewalls. The sidewalls have a first lower vertical surface, first and second upper vertical surfaces, and transition surfaces between the upper and lower vertical surfaces. The sidewalls define interlocks which extend outward from the sidewalls and are either normal to the upper vertical surfaces or angled. The sidewalls also design corner spaces comprising a transition surface and at least on vertical surface for operably communicating with an interlock. The revetment block may also comprise a plurality of ducts extending therethrough as well as a dome extending from the top surface of the revetment block. The revetment block may also comprise at least one aperture extend vertically through the block. The aperture may have tapered walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Lee Masonry Products, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. McAllister, Kenny W. McCoy, Derek W. Dice
  • Publication number: 20030140840
    Abstract: A gravity-type quay wall comprising a rubble base stage (3) extending from the sea bottom. A lower part (1a) is constructed on the rubble base stage (3) by stacking cell block units (4) wherein each of the cell block units (4) have four walls defining a vacant space therein for filling with rubble (5). Two of the walls of the cell block units (4) are side walls (6,6a), each having one of a female key (13) or a male key (14) for mating with adjacent cell block units (4). In an upper part of a top staged cell block unit (4a) is a depressed portion (7). An L-shaped shelf-style middle part (1b) is settled on a top surface of the rubble (5) of the lower part (1a) wherein the rubble (5) is filled halfway in the depressed portion (7). An upper part (1c) is settled on the middle part (1b) with the same length and width thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Won-Hoi Yang
  • Patent number: 6595726
    Abstract: A retaining wall system formed from a wire facing unit having an upstanding face section and a rearwardly extending floor section the rear end of which is provided with aligned, transversely extending, openings defined by upstanding, inserted U-shaped, in the wire elements. The apertures in the forward portion of a geogrid, preferably an integral, uniaxially-stretched, polymer geogrid, can be seated over the protuberances and a connecting rod inserted through the openings to secure the geogrid to the wire facing unit. Strengthening struts can be engaged between cross-wires at the top of the face section of the wire facing unit and at the rear of the floor section of the wire facing unit. An aggregate, including soil or the like, can then be placed behind the face section and over the floor section of the wire facing unit and over the geogrid to form a geogrid-reinforced retaining wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Atlantech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Egan, Robert Anderson
  • Patent number: 6578329
    Abstract: An anchoring device for fixing a structural cable to a building element, the cable comprising a plurality of strands each comprising wires which are themselves enclosed together in a protective sheath, each of the protective sheaths being interrupted at a terminal edge such that the strands have each an exposed end section. The exposed section is inserted in a sealed chamber with a packing box whereof on plate is fixed and the other plate is compressed by threaded rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Jérôme Stubler, Patrick Ladret, Jean-Claude Percheron
  • Patent number: 6565288
    Abstract: A method and a structure for stabilizing a formation of natural substrate having a substantially vertical face. A tendon is inserted into a hole in the formation. A heading device includes a plate, a tube, an adhesive material within the tube, and an anchor. The plate has a bore disposed over a protruding portion of the tendon. The tube is disposed over the protruding portion of the plate. An adhesive material is disposed within the tube to couple the tendon to the tube. The anchor is coupled to the plate. A final concrete facing is placed over the entire heading device embedding the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: James P. McCallion