Multi-battered segmental retaining wall blocks with integral self alignment system, and methods of forming retaining walls with same

Abstract

Provided herein are various embodiments of retaining wall blocks suitable for use interchangeably as components in battered and vertical retaining wall construction. Each includes a block body and a vertical interlock system that includes: two female-type components comprising first and second grooves each extending along a bottom side of the block body and a male-type component extending across a top side of the block body. A lateral interlock system comprises a male-type lateral interlock interface integrated with a first side of the block body in lateral alignment with a female-type lateral interlock interface integrated with a second side of the block body. Methods for constructing retaining walls using the retaining wall blocks described herein are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retaining wall block comprising:
 a block body comprising:
 a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side; 
 a front side and a rear side opposite the front side; and 
 a first side and a second side opposite the first side; 
   a vertical interlock system comprising:
 a first female-type component comprising a first groove extending along the bottom side of the block body between the first side and the second side, the first groove being spaced from the front side by a distance of (Z or Z−T) and having a width Y+T, wherein each of Z, T and Y is greater than zero, and Z is greater than T; 
 a second female-type component comprising a second groove extending along the bottom side of the block body between the first side and the second side, the second groove being spaced from the rear side by a distance Z+B and having a width Y+T, wherein B is greater than zero; 
 a male-type component extending across the top side of the block body between the first side and the second side, the male-type component being spaced from the rear side by a distance Z and having a width no greater than Y+T; and 
   a lateral interlock system comprising:
 a male-type lateral interlock interface integral with the first side midway between the front side and the rear side; and 
 a female-type lateral interlock interface integral with the second side midway between the front side and the rear side and in lateral alignment with the male-type lateral interlock interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the male-type component of the vertical interlock system is a single vertical male tongue. 
     
     
         3 . The retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the male-type component of the vertical interlock system comprises a plurality of vertical male tongues. 
     
     
         4 . The retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the first groove of the first female-type component is spaced from the front side by a distance of Z. 
     
     
         5 . The retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the first groove of the first female-type component is spaced from the front side by a distance of Z-T. 
     
     
         6 . The retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the male-type lateral interlock interface comprises:
 a first bearing wall that extends laterally away from the block from a first position along the first side that is a distance X from the front side; and 
 a second bearing wall that extends laterally away from the block from a second position along the first side that is the distance X from the rear side; 
   and   the female-type lateral interlock interface comprises:
 a third bearing wall that extends laterally into the block from a third position along the second side that is the distance X from the front side; and 
 a fourth bearing wall that extends laterally into the block from a fourth position along the second side that is the distance X from the rear side. 
   
     
     
         7 . The retaining wall block of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first bearing wall extends laterally away from the block at a same non-normal first angle as the third bearing wall extends laterally into the block; and   the second bearing wall extends laterally away from the block at a same non-normal second angle as the fourth bearing wall extends laterally into the block.   
     
     
         8 . The retaining wall block of  claim 6 , wherein the first bearing wall is a part of a first lateral male key and the second bearing wall is a part of a second lateral male key that is spaced from the first lateral male key along the first side. 
     
     
         9 . The retaining wall block of  claim 8 , wherein the first lateral male key is a mirror image of the second lateral male key about a notional plane extending vertically through the top side and the bottom side midway between the front side and the rear side. 
     
     
         10 . The retaining wall block of  claim 6 , wherein the first bearing wall and the second bearing wall are both parts of a single lateral male key. 
     
     
         11 . The retaining wall block of  claim 6 , wherein the first bearing wall, the second bearing wall, the third bearing wall and the fourth bearing wall all extend the same distance from respective sides. 
     
     
         12 . A set of retaining wall blocks comprising:
 a plurality of the retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in at least one of the plurality the first groove of the first female-type component is spaced from the front side by a distance of Z (“Unit A block”); and 
 in at least one of the plurality the first groove of the first female-type component is spaced from the front side by a distance of Z-T (“Unit B block”). 
   
     
     
         13 . A retaining wall formed using at least the set of retaining wall blocks of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         14 . The retaining wall of  claim 13 , wherein successive courses of the retaining wall are battered with respect to previous courses. 
     
     
         15 . The retaining wall of  claim 13 , wherein successive courses of the retaining wall are not battered with respect to previous courses. 
     
     
         16 . The retaining wall of  claim 13 , wherein at least one course of the retaining wall comprises at least one of the Unit A block and at least one of the Unit B block.