ELEMENT ET STRUCTURE DE CONSTRUCTION

BUILDING ELEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Abrégé anglais

A precast concrete building element and structure constructed from such
elements, the
elements being designed so that either face of the element can be used in the
design
of the construction of retaining walls, foundations, posts or other
structures, wherein
one face of the element gives the appearance of a dual vertical octagon shape,
and the
other face of the element is vertically flat faced, with a 45 degree
vertically angled
comer on each end of the element. Thus, the overall wall or structure gives
the
appearance of repeating vertical part octagonal shapes. Through various
configurations
of such a design, arrangements of elements to form structures which have an
internal
angle of 45, 90 and 135 degrees are possible. The structure can be designed so
that
it can be stacked straight up, in that each element comprising the structure
has a
groove or channel on a bottom of the element, which internally extends a
length of the
element, and a top surface of the element has two button shaped protrusions
thereon.
The protrusions are designed to allow each element to lock or connect into the
groove
or channel of another element placed thereon.

Revendications

15
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A building element for use in the construction of elevated structures
comprising:
front and rear faces;
a channel formed internally on an underside of the element;
first and second sides; and
first, second, third, and fourth diagonal sides, wherein said front and rear
faces
are disposed approximately parallel to each other, said first and second sides
are
disposed approximately parallel to each other, the first one of the diagonal
sides being
disposed between said front face and said first side, the second one of the
diagonal
sides being disposed between said front face and said second side, the third
one of the
diagonal sides being disposed between said rear face and said first side, and
the fourth
one of the diagonal sides being disposed between said rear face and said
second side.
2. A building element according to claim 1, further comprising:
a protrusion projecting from a top surface of the element, said protrusion
being
dimensioned slightly narrower than a width of said channel and being capable
of insertion into the channel of another element, so as to secure the elements
together.
3. A building element for use in the construction of elevated structures
comprising:
eight sides forming a substantially octagonal shape;
a channel formed internally on an underside of the element; and
a protrusion projecting from a top surface of the element, said protrusion
being
dimensioned slightly narrower than a width of said channel and being capable
of
insertion into a channel of another element, so as to secure the elements
together.
4. A building element for use in the construction of elevated structures
comprising:
a front face comprising first and second halved portions, each of the halved
portions being substantially part octagonal in shape;
a substantially planar rear face which extends substantially the length of the
first
and second halved portions;

16
first and second sides;
a channel formed internally on an underside of each of the halved portions of
the
element; and
a protrusion projecting from a top surface of each of the halved portions of
the
element, said protrusion being dimensioned slightly narrower than the width of
said
channel and being capable of insertion into the channel of another wall
element so as
to secure the elements together.
5. The element of claim 4, wherein each of the halved portions each further
comprise first and second diagonal sides, a first one of the diagonal sides
being
disposed between said front face and said first side, and a second one of the
diagonal
sides being disposed between said front face and said second side, and wherein
the
first halved portion further comprises a third diagonal side being disposed
between said
rear face and said first side of said first halved portion, and wherein the
second halved
portion further comprises a fourth diagonal side being disposed between said
rear face
and said second side of said second halved portion.
6. The element of claim 5, wherein the second diagonal side of the first
halved portion
intersects the first diagonal side of the second halved portion at a mid-point
on the
element, the mid-point being recessed back from the front face of the element.
7. A building element for use in the construction of elevated structures
comprising:
front and rear faces;
a channel formed internally on an underside of the element;
a protrusion projecting from a top surface of the element, said protrusion
being
dimensioned slightly narrower than the width of said channel and being capable
of
insertion into the channel of another element, so as to secure the elements
together;
first and second sides; and
first, second, third, and fourth diagonal sides, wherein said front and rear
faces
are disposed approximately parallel to each other, said first and second sides
are
disposed approximately parallel to each other, the first one of the diagonal
sides being
disposed between said front face and said first side, the second one of the
diagonal

17
sides being disposed between said front face and said second side, the third
one of the
diagonal sides being disposed between said rear face and said first side, and
the fourth
one of the diagonal sides being disposed between said rear face and said
second side.
8. The element of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the element is formed of
concrete.
9. The element of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a textured exterior finish
is
provided for the element.
10. The element of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a 45 degree internal
corner is
formed by the face of the element and an adjacent face of another element.
11. The element of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a 90 degree internal
corner is
formed by the face of the element and an adjacent face of another element.
12. The element of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a 135 degree internal
corner is
formed by the face of the element and an adjacent face of another element.
13. An elevated structure comprising a plurality of mutually juxtaposed and
interconnected building elements as defined as in any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. The elevated structure of claim 13, wherein protrusion-free elements are
located
on a top surface of said structure as capping elements so as to provide a
substantially
planar top surface for said structure.
15. The elevated structure of claim 13 or 14, wherein mutually adjacent
elements are
configured to achieve a plurality of internal comer angles of 45, 90 and 135
degrees
formed by the face of an element and an adjacent face of another element,
through
manipulating various arrangements of elements with adjacent elements.

18
16. A method of assembling an elevated structure in which said structure
comprises
a plurality of selectively juxtaposed and interconnected building elements,
said method
comprising the steps of providing a first building element, having front and
rear faces;
a channel formed internally on an underside of said element; first and second
sides;
and first, second, third, and fourth diagonal sides, wherein said front and
rear faces are
disposed approximately parallel to each other, said first and second sides are
disposed
approximately parallel to each other, the first one of the diagonal sides
being disposed
between said front face and said first side, the second one of the diagonal
sides being
disposed between said front face and said second side, the third one of the
diagonal
sides being disposed between said rear face and said first side, and the
fourth one of
the diagonal sides being disposed between said rear face and said second side;
and,
said method including the steps of positioning the first building element
adjacent to one
or a plurality of other building elements along one or more diagonal sides,
and providing
a plurality of internal comer angles formed by the face of the first building
element and
an adjacent face of one or a plurality of other building elements, and
marshalling
arrangements of a plurality of building elements with adjacent building
elements along
one or more diagonal sides, and positioning a protrusion projecting from a top
surface
of a building element, being dimensioned slightly narrower than a width of the
channel
and being capable of insertion into the channel of another building element,
and
inserting the protrusion into the channel of another building element, and
securing the
interconnection between the protrusion and the channel of the building
elements, and
arranging a plurality of building elements by securing the protrusion of one
or more
building elements into the channel of one or more building elements, and
thereafter
positioning a plurality of building elements along a plurality of adjacent
diagonal sides,
channels and protrusions, thus providing an elevated structure formed of said
elements.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said comer angles are formed at
45, 90
and 135 degrees respectively.

Description

CA 02479978 2004-09-O1
1
BUILDING ELEMENT AND STRUCTURE
The present invention relates to a precast concrete building element and
structure constructed from such element. In particular, this invention relates
to a dual
faced retaining element which has been designed so that either face can be
used in the
design of the construction of retaining walls, wherein one face of the wall
element gives
the appearance of a dual vertical octagon shape, and the other face of the
wall element
is vertically flat faced, with a 45 degree vertically angled comer on each end
of the wall
element. Through use of such a design, wall constructions which have an inside
or
outside angle of 45, 90 and 135 degrees are possible. The element can also be
used
in the design of the construction of a variety of other projects and
structures, including
foundations, posts and other configurations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Retaining wall blocks and walls, for example, are used in various landscaping
projects and are generally available in a wide variety of styles. There are
numerous
methods and materials which exist for the construction of retaining blocks and
walls,
and such methods can include the use of natural stone, poured concrete,
precast
panels and masonry. Many of these blocks, such as that described and
illustrated in
U.S. Patent No. 5,513,475, have been developed with configurations having
essentially
the same outside surface, that is a rectangular block. A standard cement block
is
rectangular in shape and has two openings with a solid web transversing
between the
two openings. However, use of these types of blocks for the construction of
retaining
wall structures are generally not aesthetically appealing.
Presently, when rectangular cement blocks are used to fabricate walls, the
aesthetics of the wall leave much to be desired, in that essentially only a
straight linear
wall with a vertical surface is created. Generally, only 90 degree comers can
be used
if a tum in the wall is required. Other walls of various angles can be
constructed only
by cutting the comers of the rectangular block to match the desired angle.
However,
this technique is very time consuming in that it requires a skilled mason to
cut each and
every block at the desired angle.

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More recently, segmental concrete retaining wall units, which include dry
stacked
individual blocks, have become widely accepted in the construction of
retaining walls.
Retaining walls made from these types of blocks or units can be structurally
sound,
easy and relatively inexpensive to install, and couple the durability of
concrete with the
attractiveness of various architectural finishes available for the concrete
blocks.
Currently, many commercially available blocks are symmetrical and include
parallel
front and back faces and non-parallel, converging side surfaces. The
converging side
surfaces allow the blocks to be stacked and form a predictable pattern for the
retaining
wall. However these types of blocks do not provide for a unique appearance and
configuration with respect to the comers incorporated into the retaining wall.
Accordingly, there is a need for a retaining wall element and system wherein
the
face of the retaining wall, and the corners incorporated into the retaining
wall, have a
more attractive, unique appearance and variable configuration than that
available in
conventional wall constructions. The present invention satisfies this need and
provides
these benefits. In addition, the element described in the present invention
can be used
in the design of the construction of a variety of other projects and
structures, including
foundations and posts.
SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a dual faced building element
designed so that either face of the element can be used in the design of the
construction of retaining walls and other structures such as foundations,
posts and
other configurations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual faced building
element wherein one face of the element gives the appearance of a dual
vertical
octagon shape, and the other face of the element is vertically flat faced,
with a 45
degree vertically angled comer on each end of the element, whereby through use
of
such a design, constructions which have an internal angle of 45, 90 and 135
degrees
are possible through manipulating various arrangements of elements with
adjacent
elements.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building
element for use in the construction of elevated structures comprising front
and rear

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faces; a channel formed internally on an underside of the element; first and
second
sides; and first, second, third, and fourth diagonal sides, wherein the front
and rear
faces are disposed approximately parallel to each other, the first and second
sides are
disposed approximately parallel to each other, the first one of the diagonal
sides being
disposed between the front face and the first side, the second one of the
diagonal sides
being disposed between the front face and the second side, the third one of
the
diagonal sides being disposed between the rear face and the first side, and
the fourth
one of the diagonal sides being disposed between the rear face and the second
side.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
building element for use in the construction of elevated structures comprising
eight
sides forming a substantially octagonal shape; a channel formed internally on
an
underside of the element; and a protrusion projecting from a top surface of
the element,
the protrusion being dimensioned slightly narrower than a width of the channel
and
being capable of insertion into a channel of another element, so as to secure
the
elements together.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
building
element for use in the construction of elevated structures composing: a front
face
comprising first and second halved portions, each of the halved portions being
substantially part octagonal in shape; a substantially planar rear face which
extends
substantially the length of the first and second halved portions; first and
second sides;
a channel formed internally on an underside of each of the halved portions of
the
element; and a protrusion projecting from a top surface of each of the halved
portions
of the element, the protrusion being dimensioned slightly narrower than the
width of the
channel and being capable of insertion into the channel of another wall
element so as
to secure the elements together.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
building
element for use in the construction of elevated structures comprising front,
and rear
faces; a channel formed internally on an underside of the element; a
protrusion
projecting from a top surface of the element, the protrusion being dimensioned
slightly
narrower than the width of the channel and being capable of insertion into the
channel
of another element, so as to secure the elements together; first and second
sides; and
first, second, third, and fourth diagonal sides, wherein the front and rear
faces are

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disposed approximately parallel to each other, the first and second sides are
disposed
approximately parallel to each other, the first one of the diagonal sides
being disposed
between the front face and the first side, the second one of the diagonal
sides being
disposed between the front face and the second side, the third one of the
diagonal
sides being disposed between the rear face and the first side, and the fourth
one of the
diagonal sides being disposed between the rear face and the second side.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided
an
elevated structure comprising a plurality of mutually juxtaposed and
interconnected
building elements as defined herein.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method
of assembling an elevated structure in which the structure comprises a
plurality of
selectively juxtaposed and interconnected building elements, the method
comprising
the steps of providing a first building element, having front and rear faces;
a channel
formed internally on an underside of the element; first and second sides; and
first,
second, third, and fourth diagonal sides, wherein the front and rear faces are
disposed
approximately parallel to each other, the first and second sides are disposed
approximately parallel to each other, the first one of the diagonal sides
being disposed
between the front face and the first side, the second one of the diagonal
sides being
disposed between the front face and the second side, the third one of the
diagonal
sides being disposed between the rear face and the first side, and the fourth
one of the
diagonal sides being disposed between the rear face and the second side; and,
the
method including the steps of positioning the first building element adjacent
to one or
a plurality of other building elements along one or more diagonal sides, and
providing
a plurality of internal comer angles formed by the face of the first building
element and
an adjacent face of one or a plurality of other building elements, and
marshalling
arrangements of a plurality of building elements with adjacent building
elements along
one or more diagonal sides, and positioning a protrusion projecting from a top
surface
of a building element, being dimensioned slightly narrower than a width of the
channel
and being capable of insertion into the channel of another building element,
and
inserting the protrusion into the channel of another building element, and
securing the
interconnection between the protrusion and the channel of the building
elements, and
arranging a plurality of building elements by securing the protrusion of one
or more

CA 02479978 2004-09-O1
building elements into the channel of one or more building elements, and
thereafter
positioning a plurality of building elements along a plurality of adjacent
diagonal sides,
channels and protrusions, thus providing an elevated structure formed of the
elements.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method
5 of assembling an elevated structure as described above, wherein the comer
angles are
formed at 45, 90 and 135 degrees respectively.
The building element of the present invention is designed so that either face
of
the element can be used in the design of the construction of structures, such
as
retaining walls, wherein one face of the element gives the appearance of a
dual vertical
octagon shape, and the other face of the element is vertically flat faced,
with a 45
degree vertically angled comer on each end of the element. In a construction
of this
type, essentially, one face of the element does not complete the octagon,
rather a flat
surface extends the length of the two halves. The primary advantage of this
design lies
in its versatility. A user may arrange the stone in a variety of fashions
which result in
a wide ranging finished product, such as a complete wall. Through various
configurations of such a design, arrangements of elements to form wall
constructions
which have an inside or outside comer angle of 45, 90 and 135 degrees are
possible.
The element can also be used in the design of the construction of a variety of
other
projects and structures, including posts and foundations.
Preferably, the element is made of precast concrete. In addition, each element
has a singular groove or channel running horizontally across a substantial
area of the
bottom surface of the element, and which is internally formed on an underside
of the
element. Preferably, the vertical height of this groove or channel within the
element
extends internally to accommodate the entire vertical height of the
protrusion. It is
possible, however, that a shallower internal channel or groove may also be
used. It is
also possible that multiple grooves or channels can be formed on the underside
of each
element, the grooves or channels substantially corresponding in shape with the
protrusions formed on the top surface of each element. The grooves or channels
in
each element can be internally located beneath each protrusion, whereby each
protrusion from one element may be interlocked with a corresponding channel of
another element placed thereon.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are two protrusions

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b
formed on a top surface of each element. Preferably, these protrusions are
round and
button shaped, however, other configurations and shapes can be utilized as
well. The
protrusions are designed to allow each element to lock or connect into the
groove or
channel on the underside of another element placed thereon. In this manner,
building
elements comprising the elevated structure can be stacked straight up in
forming a
complete elevated structure, and increases the strength and durability of the
structure.
When completing a wall construction utilizing the building elements of the
present invention, it is preferable, in constructing the top surface of the
wall, to utilize
a further embodiment of the retaining element of the present invention, which
does not
possess any protrusions on a top surface portion of the element (a "capping"
element)
so as to provide a substantially planar top surface for the structure.
Though generally speaking it is preferable for an elevated structure
constructed
with the elements of the present invention to feature full size elements
wherein one face
provides the dual vertical octagon shape, and the other face of the element is
vertically
flat faced, nevertheless, in a further embodiment of the present invention a
"half"
element may also be used in designing the elevated structure and giving it a
unique
appearance. The entire outer periphery of the "half element comprises an
octagonal
shape, and possesses a channel formed internally on an underside of the
element, with
a corresponding singular protrusion also projecting from a top surface of the
element.
By utilizing a "half' element in constructing an elevated structure, in
combination with
the regular sized element of the present invention, it is possible to place
singular "half
elements" on top of a singular protrusion of a regular sized element at
staggered,
spaced intervals in the elevated structure construction. When, in assembling
the
elevated structure, full sized elements of the present invention are then
further locked
or connected on the protrusion of the "half element, the result is an elevated
structure
construction which, depending upon the interval between placement of the "half
elements", can provide for gaps in the outer surface of the structure, which
enables an
aesthetically appealing, unique configuration.
In a further embodiment, in constructing the top surface of the elevated
structure,
the "half element can be configured to not possess any protrusions on a top
surface
portion thereof, so as to provide a "capping element" to enable the top
portion of the
elevated structure to have a substantially planar surface.

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7
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a full size retaining wall element in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates the wall element being
provided
with protrusions on a top surface thereof;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a half size version of the retaining wall
element of
Figure 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a full size retaining
wall element
of the present invention, which illustrates the wall element being provided
without
protrusions on a top surface thereof;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a half size version of the retaining wall
element of
Figure 2;
FIG. 5a is a top view of the retaining wall element of Figure 1;
1S FIG. 5b is a bottom view of the retaining wail element of Figure 1:
FIG. 6 is a side view of the retaining wall element of Figures 1, 5a and 5b,
showing an
internally formed channel is located within the wall element;
FlG. 7 is a top view of a comer configuration for a retaining wall which
utilizes an
embodiment of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein
the outer
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape, and a 90 degree
internal
comer is formed by two adjacent interior faces of the elements;
FIG. 8 is a top view of a comer configuration for a retaining wall which
utilizes a further
embodiment of the retaining wall element of the present invention, wherein the
outer

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8
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape, and a 135 degree
internal
comer is formed by the two adjacent interior faces of the elements;
FIG. 9 is a top view of a comer configuration for a retaining wall which
utilizes a further
embodiment of the retaining wall element of the present invention, wherein the
outer
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape, and a 45 degree
internal
comer is formed by the two adjacent interior faces of the elements;
FIG.10 is a top view of a comer configuration for a retaining wall which
utilizes a further
embodiment of the retaining wall s elements of the present invention, wherein
the inner
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape, and a 90 degree
internal
comer is formed by the two adjacent interior faces of the elements;
FIG.11 is a top view of a comer configuration for a retaining wall which
utilizes a further
embodiment of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein
the inner
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape, and a 135 degree
internal
comer is formed by the two adjacent interior faces of the elements;
FIG.12 is a top view of a comer configuration for a retaining wall which
utilizes a further
embodiment of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein
the inner
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape, and a 45 degree
internal
comer is formed by the two adjacent interior faces of the elements;
FIG.13 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a single face construction;
FIG.14 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a single face, single offset construction;
FIG.15 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment

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of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a single face, double offset construction;
FIG.16 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a double face construction;
FIG.17 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a double face, single offset construction;
FIG.18 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a double face, double offset construction;
FIG.19 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a further
embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features an alternate face construction; and
FIG. 20 is a top view of a retaining wall construction which utilizes a
further embodiment
of the retaining wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a double face, half staggered construction.
DESCRIPTION OP THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FiG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a retaining wall
unit of
the present invention. The retaining wall element (1 ) comprises a front side
(3) for each
of the first (7) and second halved (9) portions. A substantially planar rear
side (5)
extends a total length of the first (7) and second halved (9) portions. The
retaining wall
element also possesses a left side (4) and a right side (6). A channel (not
shown) is
also formed internally on an underside of each of the halved portions (7,9) of
the wall
element (1), and a protrusion (11) projects from a top surface of each of the
halved
portions (7,9) of the wall element (1 ). Each of the halved portions (7,9)
furthercomprise

CA 02479978 2004-09-O1
first and second diagonal sides, the first diagonal side (13) of the first
halved portion (7)
being disposed between the front side (3) and the left side (4), and the first
diagonal
side (15) of the second halved portion (9) also being disposed between the
front side
(3) and the left side (4), and extending to a mid-point (10) on the wall
element (1 ), which
5 is recessed back from the front side (3) of the element (1 ). A second
diagonal side
(17) of the first halved portion (7) is disposed between the front side (3)
and the right
side (6), whereby the second diagonal side (17) of the first halved portion
(7) intersects
the first diagonal side {15) of the second halved portion (9) at the mid-point
(10) on the
wall element (1 ) which is recessed back from the front side (3) of the
element and the
10 second diagonal side (19) of the second halved portion (9) is also disposed
between
the front side (3) and the right side (6). The halved portions (7,9) further
comprise third
(21 ) and fourth diagonal sides (23), the third diagonal side (21 ) being
disposed between
the rear side (5) and the left side (4) of the first halved portion (7), and a
fourth diagonal
side (23) being disposed between the rear side (5) and the right side (6) of
the second
halved portion (9).
Referring to Figure 2, this figure illustrates a perspective view of a further
embodiment of the present invention, namely a "half" size version of the
retaining wall
element of Figure 1. The retaining wall "half" element (24) comprises a
protrusion (11 )
projecting from a top surface of the element, front (25) and rear sides (27)
disposed
approximately parallel one to another, and left (29) and right sides (31 )
disposed
approximately parallel one to another. Also provided are a first diagonal side
(33)
disposed between the front side (25) and the left side (29), a second diagonal
side {35)
disposed between the front side (25) and the right side (31 ), a third
diagonal side (37)
disposed between the rear side (27) and the left side (29), and a fourth
diagonal side
{39) disposed between the rear side {27) and the right side (31 ). Also
provided is a
channel (not shown), which is formed internally on an underside of the element
(24).
Referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated a perspective view of a further
embodiment of the retaining wall element of the present invention, which
illustrates the
wall element being provided without protrusions on a top surface thereof, as a
"capping"
element, so as to provide a substantially planar surface for the top portion
of a wall
being constructed. The retaining wall element (1) comprises a front side (3)
for each
of the first (7) and second halved (9) portions. A rear side (5) extends a
total length of

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the first (7) and second halved (9) portions. The retaining wall unit also
possesses a
left side (4) and a right side (6). A channel (not shown) is also formed
internally on an
underside of each of the halved portions (7,9) of the wall element (1 ). Each
of the
halved portions (7,9) further comprise first and second diagonal sides, the
first diagonal
side (13) of the first halved portion (7) being disposed between the front
side (3) and
the left side (4), and the first diagonal side (15) of the second halved
portion (9) also
being disposed between the front side (3) and the left side (4), and extending
to a mid-
point (10) on the wall element (1 ), which is recessed back from the front
side (3) of the
element (1 ). A second diagonal side (17) of the first halved portion (7) is
disposed
between the front side (3) and the right side (6), whereby the second diagonal
side (17)
of the first halved portion (7) intersects the first diagonal side (15) of the
second halved
portion (9) at the mid-point (10) on the wall element (1 ), which is recessed
back from
the front side (3) of the element (1 ), and the second diagonal side (19) of
the second
halved portion (9) is also disposed between the front side (3) and the right
side (6). As
with the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the halved portions (7,9) further
comprise
third (21 ) and fourth diagonal sides (23), the third diagonal side (21 )
being disposed
between the rear side (5) and the left side (4) of the first halved portion
(7), and a fourth
diagonal side (23) being disposed between the rear side (5) and the right side
(6) of the
second halved portion (9).
Referring to Figure 4, this figure illustrates a perspective view of a further
embodiment of the present invention, namely a "half' size version of the
retaining wall
element of Figure 3. The retaining wall "half" element (41 ) comprises front
(25) and rear
sides (27) disposed approximately parallel one to another, and left (29) and
right sides
(31 ) disposed approximately parallel one to another. Also provided are a
first diagonal
side (33) disposed between the front side (25) and the left side (29), a
second diagonal
side (35) disposed between the front side (25) and the right side (31 ), a
third diagonal
side (37) disposed between the rear side (27) and the left side (29), and a
fourth
diagonal side (39) disposed between the rear side (27) and the right side (31
). Also
provided is a channel (not shown), which is formed internally on an underside
of the
element (41 ).
Figures 5a, 5b and 6 illustrate top, bottom and side views of the retaining
wall
element of Figure 1, and Figure 6 clearly indicates an internally formed
channel (43)

CA 02479978 2004-09-O1
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(positioned beneath each protrusion) is present within the wall element, and
illustrates
each channel (43), on the underside of the element (1 ). Preferably, the
channel runs
the entire intemai length of the element. The internally positioned sides of
the channel
are indicated as (44).
Figure 7 is a top view of a comer configuration which can be used in
constructing
an elevated structure, utilizing an embodiment of arranging the retaining wall
element
of the present invention. In Figure 7, by placing the face of the fourth
diagonal side (23)
of one wall element in place against the face of the third diagonal side (21 )
of another
wall element, a 90 degree internal comer is formed by the two adjacent
interior faces
of the elements for an elevated structure wherein the outer surface of the
wall features
a dual vertical octagon shape. Figure 8 is a top view of a further comer
configuration
for a retaining wall which utilizes a further embodiment of arranging the
retaining wall
elements of the present invention. In Figure 8, by placing the face of the
fourth
diagonal side (23) of one wall element in place against the face of the left
side (4) of
another wall element, a 135 degree internal comer is formed by the two
adjacent
interior faces of the elements for an elevated structure wherein the outer
surface of the
wall features a dual vertical octagon shape. Figure 9 is a top view of a still
further
comer configuration which can be used in constructing an elevated structure,
through
arranging the retaining wall elements of the present invention. In Figure 9,
by placing
the face of the fourth diagonal side (23) of one wall element in place against
the face
of the rear side (5) of another wall element, a 45 degree internal comer is
formed by the
two adjacent interior faces of the elements for an elevated structure wherein
the outer
surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape.
FIG. 10 is a top view of a still further comer configuration which can be used
in
constructing an elevated structure, which utilizes a further embodiment of
arranging the
retaining wall elements of the present invention. In Figure 10, by placing the
first
diagonal side (13) of the first halved portion of one wall element in place
against the
face of the second diagonal side ( 19) of the second halved portion of a
second wall
element, a 90 degree internal comer is fom~ed by the two adjacent interior
faces of the
elements for an elevated structure wherein the inner surface of the wall
features a dual
vertical octagon shape. FIG.11 is a top view of a still further corner
configuration which
can be used in constructing an elevated stnrcture. in Figure 11, by placing
the first

CA 02479978 2004-09-O1
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diagonal side (13) of the first halved portion of one wall element in place
against the
face of a right side (6) of another wall element, a 135 degree internal comer
is formed
by the two adjacent interior faces of the elements for an elevated structure
wherein the
inner surface of the wall features a dual vertical octagon shape. FIG. 12 is a
top view
of a still further corner configuration which can be used in constructing an
elevated
structure. In Figure 12, by placing the first diagonal side (13) of the first
halved portion
of one wall element in place against the face of a front side (3) of another
wall element,
a 45 degree internal comer is formed by the two adjacent interior faces of the
elements
for an elevated structure wherein the inner surface of the wall features a
dual vertical
octagon shape.
illustrated in Figures i 3 to 20 are examples of various configurations of
constructing an elevated structure, which are possible through manipulating
various
arrangements of the wall elements of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a top
view of the
base of an elevated structure constructed utilizing the wall elements of the
present
invention, wherein the outer surface of the wall features a single face
construction
which, in this embodiment, is vertically flat faced, by arranging the flat
faced surface of
multiple wall elements side by each in the same manner. In accomplishing this
arrangement, a plurality of wall elements can be arranged, wherein the face of
a left
side (4) of each wall element is placed against the face of a right side (6)
of another wall
element, and so forth. FIG. 14 is a top view illustrating the base of the
outer surface of
the wall featuring a single flat face, single offset construction, wherein the
face of the
third diagonal side (21 ) of a first wall element is placed against the face
of the second
diagonal side (19) of a second wall element, and the first diagonal side (13)
of the
second waH element is then placed against the face of the fourth diagonal side
(23) of
a third wall element, and so forth.
FIG. 15 is a top view illustrating the base of the outer surface of the wall
featuring, wherein the outer surface of the wall features a single flat face,
double offset
construction, wherein the face of a left side (4) of a first wall element is
placed against
the face of a right side (6) of a second wall element, and the face of a third
diagonal
side (21 ) of the second wall element is placed against the face of the second
diagonal
side (19) of a third wall element, and so forth. FIG. 16 is a top view of a
further
embodiment of the base of an elevated structure constructed utilizing the wall
elements

CA 02479978 2004-09-O1
14
of the present invention, wherein the outer surface of the wall features a
double face
construction, giving the appearance of a dual vertical octagon shape. In
accompiishing
this arrangement, a plurality of wall elements can be arranged, wherein the
face of a
right side (6) of a first wall element can be placed against the face of a
left side (4) of
a second wall element, and so forth.
Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment of an elevated structure constructed
utilizing
the wall elements of the present invention, wherein the outer surface of the
wall
features a double face, single offset construction, giving the appearance of a
dual
vertical octagon shape. The face of a second diagonal side (19) of a first
wall element
can be placed against the face of a third diagonal side (21 ) of a second wall
element,
and so forth. FIG. 18 illustrates a further embodiment of an elevated
structure of the
present invention, wherein the outer surface of the wall features a double
face, double
offset construction, again giving the outer surface of the wall the appearance
of a dual
vertical octagon shape. In accomplishing this arrangement, a plurality of wall
elements
can be arranged, wherein the face of a right side (6) of a first wall element
can be
placed against the face of a left side (4) of a second wall unit, and the face
of a second
diagonal side (19) of the second wall element can be placed against the face
of a third
diagonal side (21 ) of a third wall element. A face of the right side (6) of
the third wall
element can then be placed against the face of a left side (4) of a fourth
wall element,
and so forth.
FIG. 19 is a top view of a further embodiment of an elevated structure of the
present invention, wherein the outer surface of the wall features an alternate
face
construction, wherein each wall element of the present invention altematingly
presents
first a substantially flat faced surface of a wall element, in adjacent
relationship with the
dual octagon shape of another wall element placed next to it, whereby, the
face of a
right side (6) of a first wall element can be placed against the face of a
right side (6) of
a second wall element. FIG. 20 is a top view of a further embodiment of an
elevated
structure of the present invention, wherein the outer surface of the wall
features a
double face, half staggered construction.
The foregoing are exemplary embodiments of the present invention and a person
skilled in the art would appreciate that modifications to these embodiments
may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

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