Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RETAINING WALL BLOCK SYSTEM WITH MODULATING
HEIGHTS, WIDTHS, AND INCLUDED ANGLES
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] 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
[0002] Retaining wall blocks can be manufactured and arranged
in a variety of different ways.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, there is provide 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.
[0004] In another aspect, there is provide 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.
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[0005] In further aspect, there is provided 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.
[0006] In yet another aspect, there is provided 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
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dimensions relative to the first wall block and second wall
block.
[0007]
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
[0008]
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:
[0009]
FIGURES 1A through 10 are diagrams of retaining wall
blocks in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIGURES 2A through 20 are diagrams of a first
retaining wall module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0011]
FIGURES 3A through 30 are diagrams of a second
retaining wall module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure; and
[0012]
FIGURES 4A through 4D are diagrams of a multi height
retaining wall in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013]
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.
[0014]
FIGURES LA 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 FIGURE 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 Ll, outer width
W, height H, an included angle a 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 FIGURE
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 2a 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 FIGURE 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 3a and an inner radius R, and
can be used to create variable and aesthetically-pleasing wall
designs, as shown in FIGURES 4A through 4C.
Length L1 can be
greater than, equal to or less than length L2. In one embodiment
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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.
[0015]
As shown in FIGURES 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 Na (where N is typically an
integer) and radii R such that the blocks are capable of
modulating arrangements as described below.
[0016]
FIGURES 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 FIGURES 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
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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.
[0017]
FIGURES 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 FIGURES 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.
[0018]
FIGURES 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 a, first wall block 200, having height n*H,
midpoint radius R and included angle m*a, and a second wall
block 300, having height i*H, midpoint radius R and included
angle j*a are provided.
In another exemplary embodiment, cap
block 100 can be a fractional element of wall blocks 200, 300.
[0019]
As shown in FIGURES 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
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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.
[0020]
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.
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