Environment resistant retaining wall block and methods of use thereof

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.

1 . A deterioration resistant retaining wall block comprising: 
 a top panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material and having a front section that extends a distance to at least cover the block top exposed to the exterior environment when positioned in a retaining wall;    a bottom panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material;    a substantially rigid wall assembly including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material that is adjoined to the top panel and bottom panel to form a chamber; and    one or more fill materials placed into the chamber of the deterioration resistant retaining wall block.    
   
   
       2 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1  wherein the composite or polymeric material is a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, vinyl, silicone, rubber, fiberglass or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1  wherein the bottom panel includes one or more apertures to allow intermingling of fill material between blocks positioned below and above.  
   
   
       4 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1 , wherein the wall assembly has a front face with a natural earthen appearance.  
   
   
       5 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 3  wherein the front section includes a plurality of teeth.  
   
   
       6 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 3  wherein the wall assembly includes one or more waved panels.  
   
   
       7 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel is hingedly adjoined to the block.  
   
   
       8 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1 , wherein the block further includes a knob positioned on or adjacent to a front edge of the block and a depression positioned on or adjacent to a front edge opposite the knob.  
   
   
       9 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1 , wherein the block further includes more than one unit.  
   
   
       10 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1 , wherein the block further includes one or more anchoring devices.  
   
   
       11 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 10 , wherein the anchoring devices are selected from a group consisting of retaining flanges, insertable pegs and apertures for stability rods.  
   
   
       12 . 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.  
   
   
       13 . The deterioration resistant block of  claim 1 , wherein the block further includes a design positioned on a front face of the block.  
   
   
       14 . A deterioration resistant retaining wall comprising a plurality of deterioration resistant block including: 
 a top panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material and having a front section that extends a distance to at least cover the block top exposed to the exterior environment when positioned in a retaining wall;    a bottom panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material;    a substantially rigid wall assembly having a front face with a natural earthen appearance and including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material that is adjoined to the top panel and bottom panel to form a chamber; and    one or more fill materials placed into the chamber of the deterioration resistant retaining wall block.    
   
   
       15 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 14  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 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 14  wherein the bottom panel includes one or more apertures to allow intermingling of fill material between blocks positioned below and above.  
   
   
       17 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 14  wherein the wall assembly includes one or more waved panels.  
   
   
       18 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 14  wherein the block further includes a knob positioned on or adjacent to a front edge of the block and a depression positioned on or adjacent to a front edge opposite the knob.  
   
   
       19 . The deterioration resistant retaining wall of  claim 14 , wherein the block further includes one or more anchoring devices.  
   
   
       20 . 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 comprising a top panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material and having a front section that extends a distance to at least cover the block top exposed to the exterior environment; a bottom panel including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material; and a substantially rigid wall assembly including a deterioration resistant composite or polymeric material that is adjoined to the top panel and bottom panel to form a chamber;    placing the one or more retaining blocks side by side on the foundation to generate a straight or curved row;    filling the one or more retaining blocks with a fill material; and    stacking one or more rows with each row stacked upon the row below it to form a continuous retaining wall.