Wall system

Abstract

A wall system ( 10 ) comprising a plurality of pilings ( 12 ) and a plurality of slabs ( 14 ) supported by the pilings ( 12 ). Both the pilings ( 12 ) and slabs ( 14 ) are preferably formed of concrete and may be imprinted with one or more patterns. The pilings ( 12 ) are preferably cylindrical and include a bottom section ( 22 ) and a top section ( 24 ) supported by the bottom section ( 22 ). The bottom section ( 22 ) is preferably buried substantially below grade, while the top section ( 24 ) is located substantially above grade. The top section ( 24 ) includes at least one vertical slot ( 26 ) extending upwardly from a ledge ( 28 ) located approximately at grade to an opening ( 30 ) in a top surface ( 32 ) of each piling ( 12 ). The ledge ( 28 ) supports opposing edges ( 34 ) of the slabs ( 14 ), such that lower edges ( 36 ) of the slabs ( 14 ) are supported substantially at grade.

Having thus described preferred embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:  
     
         1 . A wall system comprising: 
 a plurality of pilings each having a bottom section for installation substantially below grade and a top section for installation substantially above grade, wherein the top section includes at least one vertical slot that terminates in a ledge approximately where the bottom section meets the top section; and    at least one substantially flat slab for installation between two of the pilings, fitting into the slots therein and supported by the ledges, such that a lower edge of the slab is supported substantially at grade in order to minimize hydraulic load on the system.    
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the vertical slot extends through the top section and terminates in an opening at a top surface of the top section of the pilings.  
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the slab is in slid into place down through the opening to the ledge.  
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , further including a plurality of top caps that fit over the top surface and cover the openings of the slots.  
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pilings are imprinted with a pattern using a reusable rubber pattern mat.  
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the slab is imprinted with a pattern.  
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the slab is imprinted with a first pattern on a front side and a second pattern on a back side.  
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pilings and the slab are constructed of poured concrete.  
     
     
         9 . The system as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the pilings are constructed at a job site along a proposed path of the system.  
     
     
         10 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the slots are arranged along a proposed path for the system.  
     
     
         11 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pilings are constructed by: 
 digging holes for the pilings at substantially even intervals along a proposed path for the system;    placing piling forms within the holes, such that a portion of the piling forms extends above the holes in order to form the top section;    placing slot blocks within the piling forms, such that the vertical slots will be formed in the top section of the pilings arranged along the proposed path for the system; and    pouring concrete into the piling forms in order to form the pilings.    
     
     
         12 . A deck system comprising: 
 a plurality of horizontally elongated pilings each having a bottom section for installation substantially below grade and a top section for installation substantially above grade, wherein the top section includes at least one horizontal slot forming a ledge approximately where the bottom section meets the top section; and    at least one substantially flat slab for installation between two of the pilings, fitting into the slots therein and supported by the ledges, such that a lower surface of the slab is supported substantially at grade.    
     
     
         13 . The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the horizontal slot extends across the top section.  
     
     
         14 . The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the slab is imprinted with a pattern.  
     
     
         15 . The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the pilings and the slab are constructed of poured concrete.  
     
     
         16 . The system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the pilings are constructed on-site along a proposed path of the system.  
     
     
         17 . The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the pilings are constructed by: 
 digging holes for the pilings at substantially even intervals along a proposed path for the system;    placing piling forms within the holes, such that a portion of the piling forms extends above the holes in order to form the top section;    placing slot blocks within the piling forms, such that the horizontal slots will be formed in the top section of the pilings arranged along the proposed path for the system; and    pouring concrete into the piling forms in order to form the pilings.    
     
     
         18 . A method of installing a wall system comprising the steps of: 
 digging holes for pilings at substantially even intervals along a proposed path for the system;    placing piling forms within the holes, such that a portion of the piling form extends above the holes;    placing slot blocks within the piling forms, such that slots will be formed in the pilings arranged along the proposed path for the system;    pouring concrete into the piling forms in order to form the pilings;    removing the forms and the slot blocks from the pilings after the concrete has hardened; and    placing preformed concrete slabs between the pilings with opposing edges of the slabs fitting within the slots, such that lower edges of the slabs are supported substantially at grade thereby minimizing hydraulic load on the system.    
     
     
         19 . The system as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the slab is imprinted with a pattern.  
     
     
         20 . The system as set forth in  claim 19 , further including the step of inserting a pattern mat into the forms before the concrete is poured into the forms in order to imprint the pilings with the pattern.