US2018274195A1PendingUtilityA1

Modular block retaining wall construction system with spacer plates and methods of manufacture and use

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Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 22, 2017Filed: Mar 22, 2017Published: Sep 27, 2018
Est. expiryMar 22, 2037(~10.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:John T. AmreinDarren O'Rourke
E02D 29/0266E02D 29/0225E02D 29/02E02D 2600/40
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PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A modular block retaining wall construction system with a plurality of spacer plates securely fastened to a plurality of blocks. At least one arm extends (i) from each of the plurality of spacer plates, and (ii) partially into an aperture in the one of the plurality of modular blocks. Each of the plurality of spacer plates includes a plate that is spaced from the one of the plurality of modular blocks via the at least one arm at a predetermined distance, thereby defining a cavity therebetween. In this manner, the cavity can be filled with a predetermined amount of material, e.g., gravel, to facilitating proper drainage of liquid, e.g., water, from the soil and/or other material retained by the retaining wall of the present inventive concept.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A retaining wall system comprising:
 a plurality of modular blocks, each of the plurality of modular blocks including a receiver;   and a plurality of spacer plates, each of the plurality of spacer plates operable to be securely fastened to one of the plurality of modular blocks via the receiver, each of the plurality of spacer plates including (i) a substantially planar plate, (ii) at least one arm extending between the plate and into the receiver to define a space between the plate and the one of the plurality of modular blocks, and (iii) a plurality of apertures extending through the plate to permit drainage of fluid therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein,
 each of the plurality of modular blocks are securely fastened to the at least one arm of the one of the plurality of modular blocks via a friction-fit engagement. 
   
     
     
         3 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein,
 the at least one arm includes a friction-enhancing element and a backstop. 
   
     
     
         4 . The retaining wall system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein,
 the friction-enhancing element and the backstop are spaced from each other along each of the arms. 
   
     
     
         5 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein,
 the plurality of apertures form an array extending substantially across an entirety of each of the plurality of spacer plates. 
   
     
     
         6 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein,
 the space defines a predetermined volume. 
   
     
     
         7 . A method of manufacturing a retaining wall system, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a plurality of spacer plates, each of the plurality of spacer plates including a (i) substantially planar plated, (ii) and at least one arm extending from the plate, and (iii) a plurality of apertures extending through the plate to permit drainage of fluid therethrough;   forming a plurality of modular blocks, each of the plurality of modular blocks including a receiver; and   securing each one of the plurality of spacer plates to one of the plurality of modular blocks via at least one receiver formed in the one of the plurality of modular blocks,   wherein,
 each of the at least one arms defines a space between respective ones of the plurality of spacer plates and the plurality of modular blocks. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein,
 each one of the plurality of spacer plates is secured to one of the plurality of modular blocks via the at least one arm extending between the plate and into the one of the plurality of modular blocks. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein,
 each of the spaces defines a predetermined volume between the ones of the plurality of spacer plates and the plurality of modular blocks. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein,
 the at least one arm includes a friction-enhancing element. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 ,
 wherein,
 the at least one arm includes a backstop, and 
 the friction-enhancing element and the backstop are spaced from each other along the at least one arm. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein,
 the step of forming the plurality of spacer plates includes the step of securing the at least one arm to the plate. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 ,
 wherein,
 the plurality of apertures form an array extending substantially along an entirety of each of the plurality of spacer plates. 
   
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a retaining wall using a retaining wall system, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a first portion of a retaining wall by placing a first set of modular blocks along a first row, each of the modular blocks having a spacer plate secured thereto, each of the spacer plates having a substantially planar plate and at least one arm extending (i) from the plate, and (ii) into a respective one of the modular blocks, the at least one arm defining a space having a predetermined volume between the respective one of the modular blocks and the plate, each of the spacer plates having a plurality of apertures extending through the plate to permit drainage of fluid therethrough;   filling a first space defined by the first set of modular blocks;   forming a second portion of the retaining wall by placing a second set of the modular blocks along a second row; and   filling a second space defined by the second set of modular blocks,   wherein,
 the first space and the second space are between the plate and the modular block of each one of the first set of modular blocks and the second set of modular blocks. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 wherein,
 each of the first space and the second space has a predetermined volume. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 wherein,
 the at least one arm includes a friction-enhancing element. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 ,
 wherein,
 the at least one arm includes a backstop, and 
 the friction-enhancing element and the backstop are spaced from each other along the at least one arm. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 ,
 wherein,
 the plurality of apertures form an array extending substantially across an entirety of each of the plurality of spacer plates. 
   
     
     
         19 . The retaining wall system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein,
 the plurality of spacer plates are formed of one or more plastic resins. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 filling a third space on an opposite side of the plate from the first space or the second space with soil,   wherein,
 the first space and the second space is filled with gravel.

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