Retaining wall and building block therefor
First Claim
1. A building block for a retaining wall, the block comprising:
- (a) spaced apart inner and outer faces, and spaced apart generally parallel top and bottom faces, the faces defining a transverse cross-section of the block,(b) first and second end portions, the end portions being complementary to each other and having respective openings therein positioned to permit adjacent end portions of adjacent blocks to cooperate with each other so that pairs of adjacent openings are alignable with each other, the openings of a particular block being disposed on a straight longitudinal axis of the block,(c) a clearance means located adjacent the longitudinal axis and adjacent a central portion of the inner face of the block.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elongated building block has spaced apart inner and outer faces and top and bottom faces and complementary end portions with openings therein. The openings of the block are disposed on a straight longitudinal axis and clearance is located adjacent the longitudinal axis and a central portion of the inner face of the block. When horizontal rows of similar blocks are stacked one upon the other, end portions of the blocks in one row are positioned above central portions of blocks in an adjacent row, so the joints between the blocks are staggered. Generally vertical connecting rods pass through aligned openings to connect alternate rows of the blocks together. Clearance in alternate rows of blocks exposes intermediate portions of the connecting rods. When used as an embankment retaining wall, generally horizontal tie back rods embedded in the embankment connect with the exposed intermediate portions of the connecting rods passing between alternate rows of blocks. Exposed intermediate portions of the connecting rods provide a relatively wide tolerance for connection to the tie back rods.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A building block for a retaining wall, the block comprising:
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(a) spaced apart inner and outer faces, and spaced apart generally parallel top and bottom faces, the faces defining a transverse cross-section of the block, (b) first and second end portions, the end portions being complementary to each other and having respective openings therein positioned to permit adjacent end portions of adjacent blocks to cooperate with each other so that pairs of adjacent openings are alignable with each other, the openings of a particular block being disposed on a straight longitudinal axis of the block, (c) a clearance means located adjacent the longitudinal axis and adjacent a central portion of the inner face of the block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wall comprising a plurality of stacked blocks arranged in horizontal rows, one on top of the other, and a plurality of rods cooperating with the blocks, in which each block comprises:
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(a) spaced apart inner and outer faces, and spaced apart generally parallel top and bottom faces, the faces defining a transverse cross-section of the block, (b) first and second end portions, the end portions being complementary to each other and having respective openings therein positioned to permit adjacent end portions of adjacent blocks to cooperate with each other so that pairs of adjacent openings are alignable with each other, the openings of a particular block being disposed on a straight longitudinal axis, (c) a clearance means located adjacent the longitudinal axis and adjacent a central portion of an inner face of the block, the end portions of the blocks in a lower row being disposed beneath central portions of the blocks in an adjacent upper row, and the plurality of rods comprises; (d) a plurality of generally vertical connecting rods, each connecting rod passing through at least two pairs of aligned openings in two vertically spaced apart rows of blocks, which rows of blocks are separated by at least one intermediate row of blocks, and in which an intermediate portion of a particular rod passes through the clearance means of a block in the intermediate row of blocks, the intermediate portion of the particular rod being exposed for access. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification