Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
Field of Invention
.
This invention relates -to improvements in hollo~,~ r.~od-
ules or units with open tops useful in themselves singly
or in groups as enclosures for soil to serve as planters
or when arranged together with other like or compatible
modules or units and mounted upon a suitable footing and
in courses one upon the other and securely anchored in
place by depositing earth or fill within the modules serve
as a retaining wall or embankment or other useful or
decorative structure in a landscaped setting.
Objects of This Invention
One very important object of this invention is to
provide a versatile hollow module or unit which of itself
will have sufficient breadth and mass as is required to
serve as a planter or as a footing or wall unit and is
interlockingly interengageable with like or compatible
superimposed modules or units so -that in combination an
improved stable retaining wall or other load bearing
struc-ture can be established.
More particularly, it i5 an object of this invention
to provide an improved precast concrete hollow module or
unit which is selectively interlockingly interengageable
one with the other in alternative dispositions so as to
establish a variety of stable supportiny or free standing
structures.
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Still another important object is to provide such
hollow module or unit which in combination with other like
or compatible modules or units are readily secured against
separation or displacement over a range of alternative
groupings whereby requisite stability required by munici-
pal regulations can be demonstrated and acceptance assur-
ed.
It is another o~ject of this invention to provide a
novel hollow module or unit which ca~ be readily combined
with a cover or slab which registers upon the open top
thereof to serve as a seat, a stairtread in a staircase or
as a platform.
It is also an important object to provide such hollow
module or unit in a fundamental configuration readily
adaptable to precast concrete moulding techniques and of
proportions which can be readily handled as well as trans-
ported.
Another very important object is to provide a module
or unit which offers a variety of attractive or pleasing
arrangements enabling one to achieve in any given setting
a certain style or distinctiveness that commands a-ttention
and there~ore likely to commend itsel~ to archi-tects,
landscape gardeners or other designers in rendering a pro-
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posal or layout for all manner of domestic or co~nercial
sites.
Still another very important cbject is to provide a
novel hollow module or unit which in assembly in a select-
ed precise interlocking i.nterengagement with other likemodules automatically gives rise to a retaining wall hav-
ing the requisite angle of inclination from the vertical
so as to fall within the controlling specifications or
regulations of the municipality, province or state.
~eatures of the Invention
One very important feature of this invention resides
in providing a module or unit in the form of a hollow
body defined by an upstanding wall formation of recti-
linear outline presenting front and rear faces and opposed
side faces with generally planar upper and lower surfaces
and having a substantially constant wall thickness
throughout the extent of any given wall face, the lower
planar surface in each of the regions of the opposed side
faces presenting opposed depending lug formations project-
ing therebelow of dimensions such that when measured in
the front to rear direction the extent of same are always
less than the front to rear extent of the opposed side
faces, thereby defining with the lower planar surface
recess formations for registration upon the upper planar
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surface of another like or co-mpatible module or modules,
so that the modules can be interlockingly interengaged.
More particularly, according to the invention in the
preferred embodiment the wall thickness of the module is
constant throughout ana the depending lug formations in
the region of the front face are separated therefrom a
distance of up to the module wall thickness and in the
region of the rear face are separated therefrom forwardly
thereof a distance up to twice the module wall thickness
less the first men-tioned distance such that the depending
lug formations will snugly regis-ter within a like or com-
patible module or modules when the lug formations are so
oriented and presented to the upper planar surface there-
of.
Further, according to the invention in the preferred
embodiment at least two pairs of opposed depending lug
formations project below the lower planar surface in each
of the regions of the opposed side faces, each pair of
opposed lug formations being separated by a pair of like
opposed recesses, each of a dimension of the order of
twice the module wall thickness whereby such recess
formations when so oriented can embrace abutting walls of
two like or compatible modules over their respective upper
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planar surfaces and secure same against displacement in
one direction.
Still more particularly, in the preferred el~bodiment
Oe the invention the hollow module has a rectilinear con-
fiyuration and in plan view has an outer perimeter and aninner perimeter of parallelogrammatical configuration uni-
formly separated so as to establish the constant wall
thickness throughout, with the lower planar surface of
such hollow module in each of the regions of the opposed
side faces presenting at least a front and rear pair of
opposed depending lug formations projecting therebelow and
extending in a direction front to rear to define with the
lower planar surace of the aforementioned regions a cen-
tral recess formation having a dimension of the order of
twice the wall thickness and in the region o~ the front
face the depending lug projections are spaced therefrom a
distance when measured in front to rear direction less
than or equal to the module wall thickness, with the rear
pair of depending lugs spaced forwardly from the rear face
a distance when measured in the front to rear direction
twice the module wall thickness less the aforementioned
distance from the front face of the front pair of depend-
ing lug for~ations.
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By so selecting such spacings and dimensions fGr th-
depending lug formations, when like or compatible hollow
modules are superimposed upon groupings of suc'n modules
disposed in a lower course so that one face of one module
is presentecl to ano-ther :face of another module in abutment
or in selected spaced apart relation in-terengaging rela-
tionships are established thereby securing the module
grouping or structure against separation in one direction
while shiftable over a range of positions in another dir-
ection whereby variations in the support s-truc-ture erec-ted
can be achieved.
Still more particularly, by establishing through the
dimensions of the depencling lug formations a precise over-
lapping of modules in the superior course to the modules
in the inferior course a precise inclination of the struc-
ture is automatically established as the modules are laid
one upon the other to fall within the acceptable range of
the controlliny specifications or regulations where such
structure serves, as a retaining wall.
It is also a feature to provide a slab formation or
element for disposition upon the upper planar surface of
such modules to establish therewith a supporting surface
such slab including lug formations projecting therebelow
and so spaced apart as to regis-ter within the wall forma-
tion of one or more modules or span abu-tting wall forma-
tions of such module and thereby secure same together.
Drawings
These and other objects and features will become ap-
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parent upon reading the followiny description in conjuric-
tion with the sheets of drawiny s in which .
Fiyure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred em-
bodiment o-f a hollow prismatic .-nodule made in accordance
with the invention taken from a point to the righ-~ and up-
wardly of the front wal 1 thereof .
E'igure 2 is a perspective view of the module of Fig-
ure 1 taken from a point to the lef t and downwardly of t'ne
front wall thereof.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view taken from the
right of the module of Figure 1~
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the rnodule of Fig-
ures 1 to 3 inclusive.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembly of sev-
eral modules of the structures of the modules of Figures 1
to 4 inclusive arranged in accordance with one preferred
method of placement so as to establish a retaining wall
structure .
Figure 6 is an alternative assernbly of several mod-
ules of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive in accordance with anoth-
er preferred method of placement shown in perspective and
constituting a free standing struc-ture which includes in
cornbination slab elements serving as a support surface.
Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken
along the lines 7-7 of the s-tructure of Figure 6.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
-
The hollow module or unit 10 embodying the invention
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illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive takes the form of
a hollow prism and includes 2 front face 12, r~ar face 14
and spaced opposed side faces 16 and 18 respectively.
Each ~ace in Figures 1 to 4 is provided with spaced
apart decorative grooves 12a, 14a, 16a and 18a respective-
ly, the surfaces however can be plain as depicted in Fig-
ures 5, 6 and 7 or given other surface treatments for aes-
thetic purposes throughout this description whether with
decorative grooves or plain surfaces modules 10 are locat-
ed as the same.
According to this preferred embodiment, hollow prism-
atic module lC in the bottom plan view illustrated in Fig-
ure 4 is seen to have an outer perimeter 20 of square con-
figuration and an inner perimeter 22 of like configuration
but of lesser perimetral extent and uniformly separated
throughout from said outer perimeter 20 a selected dis-
tance designated "t" thereby establishing a substantially
uniform wall thicXness for the hollow module throughout.
Upper and lower surfaces 24, 26 of hollow prismatic
module 10 are planar. Lower surface 26 has in the region
of opposed side faces 16, 18 opposed depending lug forma-
tions including a like or matching front pair 28, 30 and a
like or matching rear pair 32, 34 projecting therebelow.
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Front pair of depending lug formations 28, 30 are
separated from the rear pair 32, 34 by opposed like reces-
ses 36, 38 which when measured in the front to rear direc-
tion are of the order of twice wall thicXness "t".
Moreover in this preferred embodiment the front pair
28, 30 of opposed depending lug formations in the region
of the front face 12 are separated therefrom by opposed
like or matching recess formations 40, 42 a distance when
measured in the front to rear direction of the order of
one-half the wall thickness "t".
Accordingly in this embodimen-t the rear pair of op-
posed depending lug formations 32, 34 in the region of the
rear face 14 are spaced forwardly therefrom a distance of
the order of 1 1/2 times the wall thickness "t" when mea-
sured in the front to rear direction thereby defining
opposed like or matching recess formations 44, 46.
Front and rear pair of opposed depending lug forma-
tions 28, 30, 32, 34 all have outer surfaces coplanar to
the respective outer surfaces of opposed side faces 16, 18
and in the preferred e~bodiment inner surfaces coplanar -to
the inner surfaces of the respective walls.
Lug formations 28, 30, 32, 34 in the preferred embod-
iment have a constant depth dimension in that they extend
down~ardly an equal distance from the lower planar surface
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26 of module 10 in each of the regions of the opposed side
faces 16, 1~. This fea-ture ensures stability when the
module is used as a footing for the composite structure
detailed in Figure 5 of the drawings and in Figures 6 and
7 of the drawings.
Recess formations 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, 46 as indi-
cated are all bounded uppermost by the lower planar sur-
face 26 of prismatic module 10 which surface 26 in all
composite structures is adapted to register upon -~he upper
planar surface 24 of liXe or compatible modules arranged
in a lower or inferior course as will be demonstrated.
Moreover, the end walls 48, 50 and 49, 51 of recess
formations 36, 38 are adapted to extend in close proximity
and contact the opposed inner wall surfaces of the abut-
ting modules of lower or inferior courses, with surfaces52, 54 of recess formations 40, 42 and surfaces 56, 58 of
recess formations 44, 46 also being adapted to extend in
close proximity and contact the inner wall surfaces of the
respective modules of the lower or inferior courses as
likewise will be demonstrated.
Retaining Wall Structure
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The composite structure illustrated in Figure 5
demonstrates the utility of module 10 as a component of a
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retaining wall struc-ture which is generally indicated at
60.
The lowermost course 62 of retaining wall 60 is com-
prised of like modules 10 disposed in side face 16 to side
face 18 abutting relation, with front faces 12 and rear
faces 14 arranged in alignment.
This lower course 62 is adapted to be mounted upon a
suitable footiny, not illustrated, either crushed stone or
poured concrete if desired, with each module 10 anchored
in place by depositing crushed stone suitable earth, fill
or concrete mix therewithin.
It will be understood that each module has the attri-
bute of a crlb structure with the wall presenting the
front face 12 tied to the wall presenting the rear face 14
by the spaced opposed side walls presenting the side faces
16 and 18 respectively. So considered each module in it-
self consti-tutes a very stable structural uni-t for retain-
ing wall or like construction.
The second or superior course 64 is derived from like
modules 10, so oriented that forward recess formations 40,
42 register or seat with upon the upper planar surfaces 24
of adjacent lower modules 10 in the regions of -their front
faces 12 and recesses 44, 46 of the modules 10 of superior
course 64 register or seat upon the upper planar surfaces
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24 of adjacent lower modules 10 in the regions of their
rear faces 14.
Likewise, in the third course 66 and all succeeding
courses which are derived from like rnodules 10 the same
relationships as have been detailed in connection with the
second and first courses of modules 10 can be established.
It will be observed in connection with the structure 60
illustrated in Figure 5 that the fron-t faces 12 of the
second course 64 of modules 10 are stepped back from the
fron-t faces 12 of the lowermost course 62 of modules 10 a
selected distance of the order of one-half the -thickness
"t" of the module wall.
By selecting a particular height dimension "h" and a
particular wall thickness dimension "t" for module 10 an
appropriate inclination from the vertical can be automati-
cally established upon the erection of such structure as
is depic-ted in Figure 5.
It is to be noted that in the arrangement proposed
the end walls 52, 54 of recess formations 40, 42 and the
end walls 56, 58 of the recess ormations 44, 46 contact
the inner surfaces respectlvely of the walls presenting
the front and rear faces 12, 14 of lower course modules
10 .
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Accordingly in this arrangement the position of the
superior modules 10 are fixed in relation to the inferior
modules 10 in the front to rear direction throughout all
levels or courses and with the structure automatically
assuming a predetermined or selected inclination depending
upon the selected height dimension and the selected -thick-
ness dimension, as earlier outlined.
It is of course within the framework of this proposal
that the front pair of lug formations 2~, 30 can be spaced
from the front face 12 a lesser distance than one-half the
wall thickness "t" or a greater distance up to wall thick-
ness "t" to provi.de a range in the inclination of the com-
posite structure, with the rear pair of depending lug
formations 32, 34 likewise being spaced at a greater or
lesser distance from rear face 14 respectively -to substan-
tially secure the superimposed modules against displace-
ment in the front to rear direction as indicated by arrow
70.
It will also be understood having regard to the
structure revealed by Figure 5 that all of the modules in
the superior courses 64, 66 and above are displaceable or
can slide upon the upper planar surfaces 24 of the respec-
tive modules 10 of the lower courses in the side to side
direction as indicated by arrow 72 up to the limit position
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when projecting lug formations 2~, 30 and 32, 34 contact
the inner surface of the walls presenting side faces 14
and 16 respectively.
When the position of the superior modules 10 is es-
tablished -they can then be filled if desired with soil or
crushed stone or the like and so firmly anchored in posi-
tion.
It is to be understood from Figure 5 that the wall
s~ructure 60 par-tly defined by interengaging modules 10 is
to be extended in either direction side to side and in a
direction upwardly to a selected height to es-tablish the
requisite wall or embankment.
It will also be appreciated tha-t as viewed in Figure
5 exposed modules at the end of the retaining wall can be
filled with garden soil and serve as planters for flowers,
shrubs, cacti or receptacles for decorative boulders,
stones or the like.
Free Standing Structures
The structure 80 illustrated in Figure 6 is derived
from like modules 10.
The lower course 82 of structure 80 is comprised of
six such modules 10 arranged with their respective side
and rear and front faces in contact.
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Each module 10 of the second or superior cours~ 24 of
structure 80 spans four of the lower course mo~ules 10
with the cen~ral opposed recess formations 36 and 38 of
each module embracing from above the double wall thickness
of the abutting rear and front faces of the lower modules
10 as illustrated.
Thus, it can be seen that t'ne superior course modules
10 secure the modules 10 of the lower course against sepa-
ration front to rear in the direction denoted by the arrow
86.
The lower course modules 10 are adapted to be anchor-
ed by depositing fill or crushed stone or earth therewith-
in or by small boulders Eor use as planters or decorative
displays.
Further, it will be understood that modules 10 of the
supericr course can be displaced in a side to side direc-
tion of the arrow 8~ with the central recess formations 36
and 38 still engaging or embracing the abutting wall form-
ations of the modules therebelow up to a limit position
when depending lug formations contact the inner surfaces
of the side walls of modules 10 of the lower course 82
when the superior modules are shifted or displaced to -the
right or to the left as viewed in Figure 6, but always
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constraining the modules 10 of the lowermost course agairl-
st separation.
Structures Including Supporting Surfaces
A typical slab 90 illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is
provided with depending lug projections 92 and 94 shown in
broken ou-tline in Figure 6 which projections 92, 94 are
spaced inwardly from -the front and rear faces 96, 98 and
from the side faces 100, 102 and from each other as at 104
so as to project within the open tops of abutting modules
10 of lower course 82 with the spacings so dimensioned as
to capture the abutting side walls of the respective mod-
ules the.rebetween and secure the units against further
separation.
Thus it will be observed that the slab 90 rests se-
curely upon the upper planar surfaces of the respective
abutting modules 10 of lower course 82, the dimensions of
-the slab being selected in this proposal such that the
rear surface 98 thereof abuts front face 12 of the module
10 of the superior course as particularly shown in Figure
7.
It will be obvious to persons skilled in this field
that other slab dimensions can be selected to cover the
open tops of particular modules in their entirety or only
partly in a like or similar manner and with such modified
slab units composite structures such as staircases
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can be erected or the slabs installed to serve as seats or
platforms all in the manner prescribed.
Alternative Structures
It will be understood that the modules 10 can be so
arranged in the superior courses of the structures as to
interlock with the inferior courses in the manner illus-
trated by Figure 5 and by Figure 6 to achieve still fur-
ther variation in dispositions of the interlocking modules
beyond those illustrated.
It will be understood further that variations or mod-
ifications can be undertaken in the module illustrated anddescribed by those persons skilled in the art and as well
in the composite structures derived therefrom without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
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