Environment resistant retaining wall block and methods of use thereof

• US 20020069595A1
• Filed: 12/13/2000
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Technology Resources, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Edward Alan Knudson, John Fitzgerald Dolan
• Inventors: Dolan, John Fitzgerald, Knudson, Edward Alan
• Granted Patent: US 6,571,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/102
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 29/025 made up of similar modular elements stacked without mortar

Abstract

The present invention relates to a retaining wall block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment it is placed into. The deterioration resistant block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is lightweight and is configured to accept and retain any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such blocks.

Claims

1. A deterioration resistant retaining wall block comprising:

a top panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material;

a bottom panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material;

a wall assembly including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material that is adjoined to the top panel and bottom panel to form a sealable chamber for receiving and retaining one or more fill materials.

3. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the top panel, bottom panel or wall assembly includes one or more apertures.

4. The deterioration resistant block of claim 3, wherein the apertures are sealed with a sealing device.

5. The deterioration resistant block of claim 4, wherein the sealing device is a cap or plug for retaining a liquid in the chamber.

6. The deterioration resistant block of claim 5, wherein the deterioration resistant block further includes one or more expansion chambers.

7. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the top panel, bottom panel or wall assembly includes a removable or hingedly adjoined cover.

8. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the block further includes one or more interior partitions.

9. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the block further includes more than one unit.

10. The deterioration resistant block of claim 9, wherein the block further includes one or more disengaging tabs.

11. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the block further includes one or more anchoring devices.

12. The deterioration resistant block of claim 11, wherein the anchoring devices are selected from a group consisting of retaining flange, pegs and locking mechanisms.

13. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the fill materials are selected from a group consisting of sand, gravel, dirt, crushed rock, pea rock, concrete, water and antifreeze.

14. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the block is a unitary structure.

15. The deterioration resistant block of claim 1, wherein the block further includes a design positioned anywhere on the block.

17. The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of claim 16, wherein the rows are staggered.

18. The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of claim 16, wherein the individual retaining blocks are engaged by anchoring devices.

19. The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of claim 18, wherein the anchoring devices are selected from a group consisting of retaining flange, pegs and locking mechanisms.

20. The method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall of claim 16, wherein the retaining wall is constructed on a waterfront and all or a portion of said retaining wall extends into water.

2. The deterioration resistant block of claim 2 wherein the composite or polymeric material is a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, vinyl, silicone, rubber, fiberglass or any combination thereof.

16. A method of constructing a deterioration resistant retaining wall comprising

establishing a foundation that can support more than one deterioration resistant blocks, said deterioration resistant blocks comprised of a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material and including a top panel and bottom panel that are adjoined to a wall assembly to form a sealable chamber for receiving and retaining a fill material;

filling more than one retaining blocks with a fill material;

placing one or more retaining blocks side by side on the foundation to generate a straight or curved row; and

stacking one or more rows with each row stacked upon the row below it to form a continuous retaining wall.