Patent Grant
11686063
The present disclosure relates to retaining walls and other similar structures. Namely, the instant disclosure relates to an interlocking blocking system for retaining walls, the like, or other similar uses.
Generally speaking, a retaining wall is a relatively rigid wall used for supporting soil laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides. Retaining walls are structures designed to restrain soil to a slope that it would not naturally keep to (typically a steep, near-vertical or vertical slope). They are used to bound soils between two different elevations often in areas of terrain possessing undesirable slopes or in areas where the landscape needs to be shaped severely and engineered for more specific purposes like hillside farming or roadway overpasses. A retaining wall that retains soil on the backside and water on the front side is called a seawall or a bulkhead.
Retaining walls are typically erected out of a concrete masonry block. Concrete masonry blocks some of the most versatile building products available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them. Concrete blocks are made from cast concrete (e.g. Portland cement and aggregate, usually sand and fine gravel, for high-density blocks). Lower density blocks may use industrial wastes, such as fly ash or bottom ash, as an aggregate. Recycled materials, such as post-consumer glass, slag cement, or recycled aggregate, are often used in the composition of the blocks. Use of recycled materials within blocks can create different appearances in the block, such as a terrazzo finish. Lightweight blocks can also be produced using autoclaved aerated concrete.
The use of concrete blocks allows structures to be built in the traditional masonry style with layers (or courses) of staggered blocks. Concrete blocks may be produced with hollow centers (cores) to reduce weight, improve insulation and provide an interconnected void into which concrete can be poured to solidify the entire wall after it's built. Blocks come in modular sizes, with the most popular typically referred to (by their thickness) as “4-inch”, “6-inch”, “8-inch”, and “12-inch”. Concrete block, when built with integral steel reinforcing or in tandem with concrete columns and tie beams and reinforced with rebar, is a very common building material for the load-bearing walls of buildings, in what is termed concrete block structure (CBS) construction. American suburban houses typically employ a concrete foundation and slab with a concrete block wall on the perimeter. Other common uses for concrete block walls are interior fire-rated partition walls, and exterior backup wall for attachment of building envelope systems and facades.
The instant disclosure recognizes the skill, time, difficulty, and expense required to erect concrete blocking structures. This includes not only the process required to align, mortar or connect the blocks together, but also the difficulty in moving each of the concrete blocks, the difficulty in connecting and reinforcing concrete block structures and/or the difficulty in sealing a concrete block structure. Thus, there is clearly a need to provide a blocking system that is easier and less expensive to install. In addition, the instant disclosure recognizes the limited shapes, sizes, and styles that typical concrete blocking is available in. Thus, there is clearly a need to provide more ornamental or decorative concrete blocking blocks and systems.
The instant disclosure may be designed to address at least certain aspects of the problems or needs discussed above by providing an interlocking blocking system for retaining walls, the like, or other uses.
The present disclosure solves the aforementioned limitations of the currently available blocking systems and/or retaining walls by providing an interlocking blocking system for retaining walls, the like, or other uses. The interlocking blocking system may generally include a plurality of interlocking blocks. Each of the interlocking blocks may include a tapered opening, a protruding bottom, and a hollow tapered inside. The tapered opening may be through a top surface of the interlocking block. The protruding bottom may extend beyond a bottom surface of the interlocking block. The protruding bottom may include a tapered outer surface, a thickness, and an inner tapered surface. The hollow tapered inside may extend from the tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the inner tapered surface of the protruding bottom. The tapered outer surface of the protruding bottom may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the tapered opening at the top surface of the interlocking block. Wherein the plurality of interlocking blocks may be configured to be stacked onto one another, where the protruding bottom of a top block may be inserted into the tapered opening of a bottom block, whereby the top block is interlocked to the bottom block.
One feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that it can be configured for a retaining wall.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the interlocking blocks may be configured to interlock without mortar using their matching tapers thereby reducing a time and skill level necessary to install the retaining wall.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the hollow tapered inside of each of the plurality of interlocking blocks may be configured as forms for additional concrete of other material.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the hollow tapered inside of each of the plurality of interlocking blocks may be configured to allow for easy handling and tying of structure together without mortar.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the interlocking blocking system may be configured with a minimal amount of concrete to reduce manufacture cost, weight, and shipping costs.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the interlocking blocking system may be configured with the ability to easily be handled by light equipment since a significant portion of each of the interlocking blocks is the hollow tapered inside.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the interlocking blocking system may be configured with a modular design that can be configured to allow for multiple configurations with a minimum number of different pieces.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the interlocking blocking system can be configured with the ability to build either structures that allow water to flow thru them or ones that are a barrier to water.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the disclosed interlocking blocking system can be configured to use the hollow tapered inside of each interlocking block as a form for additional reinforcement or for adding concrete once the structure is in place.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system a cap or plurality of caps may be included. The cap may be configured to interlock and cover the top surface of one of the interlocking blocks. The cap may include a flat top face and a bottom face. The bottom face may include a tapered protrusion. The tapered protrusion may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the tapered opening at the top surface of one of the interlocking blocks.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system, each of the plurality of interlocking blocks may include decorative face inserts. The decorative face inserts may be on at least a front side, a left side, a right side, or a combination thereof. The decorative face inserts may be configured to provide for texture or patterning of any visible block faces.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system, a sealing system may be included. The sealing system may be for creating a sealed structure or wall. The sealing system may include a front groove and/or a back groove. The front groove may be around the periphery of each of the interlocking blocks approximate a front. The back groove may be around the periphery of each of the interlocking blocks approximate a back. An expanding material may be included with the sealing system. The expanding material may be inserted into the front groove and/or the back groove. The expanding material may be configured for sealing the plurality of interlocking blocks with one another via the front groove, the back groove, or the combinations thereof. In select embodiments, the expanding material may be an expanding foam.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system, a tie down system may be included. The tie down system may be for tying down a top block to a bottom block or for tensioning the top block onto the bottom block. The tie down system may be configured for securely tying down the top block to the bottom block. In select embodiments, the tie down system may include a first indentation and a second indentation. The first indentation may be on a first side of the hollow tapered inside extending down from the tapered opening at the top surface. The second indentation may be on an opposing second side of the hollow tapered inside extending down from the tapered opening at the top surface matching the first indentation. A tie down rod may extend from a first bracket positioned below the bottom surface of the bottom block through the tapered hollow interior of the bottom block up the tapered hollow interior of the top block to a second bracket positioned in between the first indentation and the second indentation. In select embodiments, the tie down rod may be configured to be tightened thereby putting tension between the top block and the bottom block.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that, for blocks with multiple hollow tapered insides, the first indentation on the first side of a first hollow tapered inside, and the second indentation on the second side of an adjacent second hollow tapered inside, may create a non-tapered or flat surface between the adjacent hollow tapered insides. This non-tapered or flat surface between adjacent hollow tapered insides may provide for a gripping surface for lifting, moving and/or manipulating such blocks with multiple hollow tapered insides.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system a plurality of square blocks may be included. Each of the square blocks may include a square tapered opening, a square protruding bottom, and a square hollow tapered inside. The square tapered opening may be through the top surface of the square block. The square protruding bottom may extend beyond the bottom surface of the square block. The square protruding bottom may include a square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a square inner tapered surface. The square hollow tapered inside may extend from the square tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the square inner tapered surface of the square protruding bottom. The square tapered outer surface of the square protruding bottom may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the square tapered opening at the top surface of the square block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system a plurality of rounded blocks may be included. Each of the rounded blocks may include a rounded tapered opening, a rounded protruding bottom, and a rounded hollow tapered inside. The rounded tapered opening may be through the top surface of the rounded block. The rounded protruding bottom may extend beyond the bottom surface of the rounded block. The rounded protruding bottom may include a rounded tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a rounded inner tapered surface. The rounded hollow tapered inside may extend from the rounded tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the rounded inner tapered surface of the rounded protruding bottom. The rounded tapered outer surface of the rounded protruding bottom may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the rounded tapered opening at the top surface of the rounded block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system a plurality of adaptor blocks may be included. Each of the adaptor blocks may include a square tapered opening, a rounded tapered opening, a square protruding bottom, a rounded protruding bottom, a square rounded hollow tapered inside, and a rounded hollow tapered inside. The square tapered opening may be through the top surface of the adaptor block. The rounded tapered opening may be through the top surface of the adaptor block. The square protruding bottom may extend beyond the bottom surface of the adaptor block. The square protruding bottom may include the square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and the square inner tapered surface. The rounded protruding bottom may extend beyond the bottom surface of the adaptor block. The rounded protruding bottom may include the rounded tapered outer surface, the thickness, and the rounded inner tapered surface. The square hollow tapered inside may extend from the square tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the square inner tapered surface of the square protruding bottom, where the square tapered outer surface of the square protruding bottom is shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the square tapered opening at the top surface of the adaptor block. The rounded hollow tapered inside may extend from the rounded tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the rounded inner tapered surface of the rounded protruding bottom, where the rounded tapered outer surface of the rounded protruding bottom is shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the rounded tapered opening at the top surface of the adaptor block.
One feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system may be that the included rounded blocks and/or adaptor blocks can be configured for non-right angles and radiuses. As such, these rounded blocks and/or adaptor blocks may be configured to allow blocks to be positioned together at various angles without the need to cut or manipulate any blocks.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of square 1×1 blocks may be included. Each of the square 1×1 blocks may include the square tapered opening, the square protruding bottom, and the square hollow tapered inside. The square tapered opening may be through the top surface of the square 1×1 block. The square protruding bottom may extend beyond the bottom surface of the square 1×1 block. The square protruding bottom may include a square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a square inner tapered surface. The square hollow tapered inside may extend from the square tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the square inner tapered surface of the square protruding bottom. The square tapered outer surface of the square protruding bottom may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the square tapered opening at the top surface of the square 1×1 block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of square 2×1 blocks may be included. Each of the square 2×1 blocks may include two square tapered openings, two square protruding bottoms, and two square hollow tapered insides. The two square tapered openings may be through the top surface of the square 2×1 block. The two square protruding bottoms may extend beyond the bottom surface of the square 2×1 block. Each of the two square protruding bottoms may include a square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a square inner tapered surface. Each of the two square hollow tapered insides may extend from one of the square tapered openings on the top surface and taper into one of the square inner tapered surfaces of one of the square protruding bottoms. Each of the square tapered outer surfaces of the two square protruding bottoms may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the square tapered openings at the top surface of the square 2×1 block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of square 2×2 blocks may be included. Each of the square 2×2 blocks may include four square tapered openings, four square protruding bottoms, and four square hollow tapered insides The four square tapered openings may be through the top surface of the square 2×2 block. The four square protruding bottoms may extend beyond the bottom surface of the square 2×2 block. Each of the four square protruding bottoms may include a square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a square inner tapered surface. Each of the four square hollow tapered insides may extend from one of the square tapered openings on the top surface and taper into one of the square inner tapered surfaces of one of the square protruding bottoms. Each of the square tapered outer surfaces of the four square protruding bottoms may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the square tapered openings at the top surface of the square 2×2 block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of square L-blocks may be included. Each of the square L-blocks may include three square tapered openings in an L-formation, three square protruding bottoms in the L-formation, and three square hollow tapered insides in the L-formation. The three square tapered openings may be through the top surface of the square L-block. The three square protruding bottoms may extend beyond the bottom surface of the square L-block. Each of the three square protruding bottoms may include a square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a square inner tapered surface. Each of the three square hollow tapered insides may extend from one of the square tapered openings on the top surface and taper into one of the square inner tapered surfaces of one of the square protruding bottoms. Each of the square tapered outer surfaces of the three square protruding bottoms may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the square tapered openings at the top surface of the square L-block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of square T-blocks may be included. Each of the square T-blocks may include three square tapered openings in a T-formation, three square protruding bottoms in the T-formation, and three square hollow tapered insides in the T-formation. The three square tapered openings may be through the top surface of the square T-block. The three square protruding bottoms may extend beyond the bottom surface of the square T-block. Each of the three square protruding bottoms may include a square tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a square inner tapered surface. Each of the three square hollow tapered insides may extend from one of the square tapered openings on the top surface and taper into one of the square inner tapered surfaces of one of the square protruding bottoms. Each of the square tapered outer surfaces of the three square protruding bottoms may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the square tapered openings at the top surface of the square T-block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of rounded 1×1 blocks may be included. Each of the rounded 1×1 blocks may include the rounded tapered opening, the rounded protruding bottom, and the rounded hollow tapered inside. The rounded tapered opening may be through the top surface of the rounded 1×1 block. The rounded protruding bottom may extend beyond the bottom surface of the rounded 1×1 block. The rounded protruding bottom may include a rounded tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a rounded inner tapered surface. The rounded hollow tapered inside may extend from the rounded tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the rounded inner tapered surface of the rounded protruding bottom. The rounded tapered outer surface of the rounded protruding bottom may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the rounded tapered opening at the top surface of the rounded 1×1 block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of rounded 2×1 blocks may be included. Each of the rounded 2×1 blocks may include two rounded tapered openings, two rounded protruding bottoms, and two rounded hollow tapered insides. The two rounded tapered openings may be through the top surface of the rounded 2×1 block. The two rounded protruding bottoms may extend beyond the bottom surface of the rounded 2×1 block. Each of the two rounded protruding bottoms may include a rounded tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a rounded inner tapered surface. Each of the two rounded hollow tapered insides may extend from one of the rounded tapered openings on the top surface and taper into one of the rounded inner tapered surfaces of one of the rounded protruding bottoms. Each of the rounded tapered outer surfaces of the two rounded protruding bottoms may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the rounded tapered openings at the top surface of the rounded 2×1 block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of rounded 2×1 caps may be included. Each of the rounded 2×1 caps may be configured to interlock and cover the top surface of one of the rounded 2×1 blocks. Each of the 2×1 rounded caps may include a flat top face and a bottom face. The bottom face may include two rounded tapered protrusions. Each of the rounded tapered protrusions may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the rounded tapered openings at the top surface of one of the rounded 2×1 blocks.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of rounded T-blocks may be included. Each of the rounded T-blocks may include three rounded tapered openings in a T-formation, three rounded protruding bottoms in the T-formation, and three rounded hollow tapered insides in the T-formation. The three rounded tapered openings may be through the top surface of the rounded T-block. The three rounded protruding bottoms may extend beyond the bottom surface of the rounded T-block. Each of the three rounded protruding bottoms may include a rounded tapered outer surface, the thickness, and a rounded inner tapered surface. Each of the three rounded hollow tapered insides may extend from one of the rounded tapered openings on the top surface and taper into one of the rounded inner tapered surfaces of one of the rounded protruding bottoms. Each of the rounded tapered outer surfaces of the three rounded protruding bottoms may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the rounded tapered openings at the top surface of the rounded T-block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed interlocking blocking system plurality of rounded T-caps may be included. Each of the rounded T-caps may be configured to interlock and cover the top surface of one of the rounded T-blocks. Each of the rounded T-caps may include a flat top face and a bottom face. The bottom face may include three rounded tapered protrusions in the T-formation. Each of the rounded tapered protrusions may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of one of the rounded tapered openings at the top surface of one of the rounded T-blocks.
In another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces a retaining wall. The retaining wall disclosed herein may generally include the interlocking blocking system in any of the various embodiments and/or combination of embodiments shown and/or described herein. As such, the disclosed retaining wall may include a plurality of the interlocking blocks in any of the various embodiments and/or combination of embodiments shown and/or described herein. Each of the interlocking blocks used in the disclosed retaining wall may include a tapered opening, a protruding bottom, and a hollow tapered inside. The tapered opening may be through a top surface of the interlocking block. The protruding bottom may extend beyond a bottom surface of the interlocking block. The protruding bottom may include a tapered outer surface, a thickness, and an inner tapered surface. The hollow tapered inside may extend from the tapered opening on the top surface and may taper into the inner tapered surface of the protruding bottom. The tapered outer surface of the protruding bottom may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the tapered opening at the top surface of the interlocking block. Wherein the plurality of interlocking blocks may be configured to be stacked onto one another, where the protruding bottom of a top block may be inserted into the tapered opening of a bottom block, whereby the top block is interlocked to the bottom block.
One feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the interlocking blocks may be configured to interlock without mortar using their matching tapers thereby reducing a time and skill level necessary to install the retaining wall.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the hollow tapered inside of each of the plurality of interlocking blocks may be configured as forms for additional concrete of other material.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the hollow tapered inside of each of the plurality of interlocking blocks may be configured to allow for easy handling and tying of structure together without mortar.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the interlocking blocking system may be configured with a minimal amount of concrete to reduce manufacture cost, weight, and shipping costs.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the interlocking blocking system may be configured with the ability to easily be handled by light equipment since a significant portion of each of the interlocking blocks is the hollow tapered inside.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the interlocking blocking system may be configured with a modular design that can be configured to allow for multiple configurations with a minimum number of different pieces.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the interlocking blocking system can be configured with the ability to build walls that allow water to flow thru them or ones that are a barrier to water.
Another feature of the disclosed retaining wall may be that the disclosed interlocking blocking system can be configured to use the hollow tapered inside of each interlocking block as a form for additional reinforcement or for adding concrete once the structure is in place.
In select embodiments of the disclosed retaining wall a cap or plurality of caps may be included. Each of the caps may be configured to interlock and cover the top surface of one of the interlocking blocks. The cap may include a flat top face and a bottom face. The bottom face may include a tapered protrusion. The tapered protrusion may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of the tapered opening at the top surface of one of the interlocking blocks.
In select embodiments of the disclosed retaining wall, each of the plurality of interlocking blocks may include decorative face inserts. The decorative face inserts may be on at least a front side, a left side, a right side, or a combination thereof. The decorative face inserts may be configured to provide for texture or patterning of any visible block faces of the retaining wall.
In select embodiments of the disclosed retaining wall, a sealing system may be included. The sealing system may be for creating a sealed wall. The sealing system may include a front groove and/or a back groove. The front groove may be around the periphery of each of the interlocking blocks approximate a front. The back groove may be around the periphery of each of the interlocking blocks approximate a back. An expanding material may be included with the sealing system. The expanding material may be inserted into the front groove and/or the back groove. The expanding material may be configured for sealing the plurality of interlocking blocks with one another via the front groove, the back groove, or the combinations thereof. In select embodiments, the expanding material may be an expanding foam.
In select embodiments of the disclosed retaining wall, a tie down system may be included. The tie down system may be for tying down a top block to a bottom block or for tensioning the top block onto the bottom block. The tie down system may be configured for securely tying down the top block to the bottom block. In select embodiments, the tie down system may include a first indentation and a second indentation. The first indentation may be on a first side of the hollow tapered inside extending down from the tapered opening at the top surface. The second indentation may be on an opposing second side of the hollow tapered inside extending down from the tapered opening at the top surface matching the first indentation. A tie down rod may extend from a first bracket positioned below the bottom surface of the bottom block through the tapered hollow interior of the bottom block up the tapered hollow interior of the top block to a second bracket positioned in between the first indentation and the second indentation. In select embodiments, the tie down rod may be configured to be tightened thereby putting tension between the top block and the bottom block.
In select embodiments of the disclosed retaining wall, the plurality of interlocking blocks may include a plurality of square blocks, a plurality of rounded blocks, a plurality of adaptor blocks, or a combination thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the contest clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “compromises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence of addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the disclosure, it will be understood that a number of thermal enhancements are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit, and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, the description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the intervention and the claims.
It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
The present disclosure will not be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments.
Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following general description.
The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the disclosure, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed disclosure.
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The present disclosure solves the aforementioned limitations of the currently available blocking systems and/or retaining walls by providing an interlocking blocking system 10 for retaining walls 34, structures, the like, or other uses. Interlocking blocking system 10 may generally include a plurality of interlocking blocks 12. Each of the interlocking blocks 12 may include tapered opening 14, protruding bottom 18, and hollow tapered inside 28. Tapered opening 14 may be through top surface 16 of interlocking block 12. Protruding bottom 18 may extend beyond bottom surface 20 of interlocking block 12. Protruding bottom 18 may include tapered outer surface 22, thickness 24, and inner tapered surface 26. Hollow tapered inside 28 may extend from tapered opening 14 on top surface 16 and may taper into inner tapered surface 26 of protruding bottom 18. Tapered outer surface 22 of protruding bottom 18 may be shaped and sized to match and fit inside of tapered opening 14 at top surface 16 of interlocking block 12. Wherein the plurality of interlocking blocks 12 may be configured to be stacked onto one another, where the protruding bottom 18 of top block 30 may be inserted into tapered opening 14 of bottom block 32, whereby top block 30 is interlocked to bottom block 32.
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One feature of interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be that the included rounded blocks 88 and/or adaptor blocks 90 can be configured for non-right angles and radiuses. As such, rounded blocks 88 and/or adaptor blocks 90 may be configured to allow blocks 12 to be positioned together at various angles without the need to cut or manipulate any blocks 12.
In sum, interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be provided and configured with: blocks 12 that interlock with one another without mortar using matching tapers; open sections of block make forms for additional concrete of other material; center non tapered section allows for easy handling and tying of structure together without mortar; adaptor and double round blocks allow for non-right angles and radiuses; interchangeable mold parts allow for texture or patterning of visible block faces; and/or optional grooves allow for the creation of a sealed wall using expanding foam or similar material
A feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be its ability to use a minimal amount of concrete to reduce manufacture cost, weight, and shipping costs.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be that it can be configured with the ability to tie the structure together without the use of mortar reducing the time and skill level necessary to install.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be its ability to use cavities as a form for additional reinforcement and and/or concrete once the structure is in place.
Another feature of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be its ability to easily be handled by light equipment since a significant portion of the block is a hole.
Another advantage of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be the modular design allows for multiple configurations with a minimum number of different pieces.
Another advantage of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be that different facing appearances can be achieved by changing out any of the outside panels of the mold.
Another advantage of the disclosed interlocking blocking system 10, and/or retaining wall 34, may be the ability to build either structures that allow water to flow thru them or ones that are a barrier to water.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein but is limited only by the following claims.
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/947,016, filed on Dec. 12, 2019, entitled “Interlocking Block System for Retaining Walls and Other Uses”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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