The present invention relates to blocks, such as concrete blocks, for constructing walls, and more particularly to blocks employing a pin and slot system for interconnecting blocks stacked on top of each other in a wall.
Natural stone blocks cut from quarries have been used for a number of years to assemble walls of various types, including ornamental walls for landscaping purposes. Natural blocks have unique sizes, differences in shape and differences in appearance. However, construction of walls using such blocks requires significant skill to match, align, and place blocks so that the wall is erected with substantially uniform courses. While such walls provide an attractive ornamental appearance, the cost of quarried stone and the labor to assemble the stone blocks are generally cost prohibitive for most applications.
An attractive, low cost alternative to natural stone blocks are molded concrete blocks. In fact, there are several, perhaps hundreds, of utility and design patents which relate to molded blocks and/or retaining walls made from such blocks. Most prior art walls, however, are constructed from dimensionally identical blocks which can only be positioned in one orientation within the wall. Thus, a wall made from molded or cast blocks does not have the same random and natural appearance of a wall made from natural stone blocks.
Accordingly, there is a need for new and improved molded blocks and block systems and methods for constructing walls that have a more natural appearance than walls constructed using molded blocks, block systems, and molded block methods of the prior art.
According to one embodiment, a block for constructing retaining walls comprises an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces extending between respective ends of the first and second faces, which together form a block body. A first pin-receiving recess is formed in the upper surface of the block. A first, longitudinally extending pin-receiving channel is formed in the lower surface of the block. The channel also intersects the side surfaces and extends continuously therebetween.
Desirably, the first face has a surface area greater than that of the second face. In a disclosed embodiment, the side surfaces taper inwardly from the first face to the second face. In another disclosed embodiment, only one of the side surfaces tapers inwardly from the first face to the second face and the other side surface is substantially perpendicular to the first and second faces. In both embodiments, the block is “reversible,” that is, either the first face or the second face can serve as the exposed face in one side of a wall, thereby giving the appearance that the wall is constructed from two differently sized blocks.
The pin-receiving recess in the upper surface may comprise either a pin hole or an elongate slot extending substantially parallel to the first and second faces. In either case, when constructing a wall, a pin may be inserted into the pin-receiving recess in the upper surface of the block. The exposed, upper portion of the pin can then be inserted into the pin-receiving channel in the lower surface of an overlying block. The channel permits a block to be shifted longitudinally in a course so that it is longitudinally offset from a block in an adjacent lower course.
The block also can be configured to permit placement of the block in a vertical orientation in a wall, as a jumper block. When used in this manner, the side surfaces serve as the upper and lower surfaces of the block in a wall and the upper and lower surfaces serve as the side surfaces of the block in a wall. Thus, a combination of both horizontally and vertically oriented blocks can be used to construct a wall. In blocks configured for use as a jumper, the first face of the block desirably has a length that is a multiple of the height of the block so that it is possible to achieve a level upper surface of the wall.
According to another embodiment, a block for constructing retaining walls comprises an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces extending between respective ends of the first and second faces. At least one pin-receiving aperture or pin hole is formed in the upper surface of the block. First and second longitudinally extending pin-receiving channels are formed in the lower surface. The channels extend at least partially between the side surfaces of the block. To interconnect a lower block with an overlying block in an adjacent upper course, the lower portion of a pin may be inserted into the pin-receiving aperture of the lower block the upper portion of the pin may be inserted in either of the first or second channels in the lower surface of the overlying block.
The block may further include first, second, third and fourth rows of pin holes in the upper surface. Each row extends longitudinally of the block and has at least one pin hole. The first and third rows of pin holes are spaced from the first and second faces, respectively, by a first distance. The second and fourth rows of pin holes are spaced from the first and second faces, respectively, by a second distance less than the first distance. The first and third rows of pin holes desirably are vertically aligned with the first and second channels, respectively, in the upper surface. In this manner, like blocks can be stacked directly over one another to form a vertical wall with a connecting pin being partially received in, for example, a pin hole of the first row of a lower block and the first channel of an overlying block. The pin and slot system also permits the interconnection of blocks stacked in a set forward or set backward manner.
In addition, the pin holes of the first row may be positioned so as to be tangent to or contacting a vertical plane defined by the first channel. Likewise, the pin holes of the third row may be positioned so as to be tangent to a vertical plane defined by the second channel. Thus, where an overlying block is stacked in vertically alignment with an adjacent lower block, the head of the connecting pin will abut a side surface in its respective channel in the overlying block to prevent retained earth from upsetting the vertical alignment of the blocks.
According to yet another embodiment, a block for constructing retaining walls comprises an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces extending between respective ends of the first and second faces. At least one pin hole is formed in the upper surface and at least one longitudinally extending trough is formed in the lower surface. The pin hole desirably is positioned tangent to a vertical plane defined by a side surface of the trough.
In another embodiment, a block system for constructing walls comprises a first and second set of blocks. The first set of blocks comprises a small, medium and large block, each of which has an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface defining a block height, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces extending between respective ends of the first and second faces. The second set of blocks comprises a small, medium and large block, each of which has an upper surface spaced apart from a substantially parallel lower surface defining a block height, opposed first and second faces, and opposed side surfaces extending between respective ends of the first and second faces.
Within each set, the blocks have the same height and the same depth. In addition, the dimensions of the small, medium and large block of the first set desirably are equal to the dimensions of the small, medium and large block, respectively, of the second set, except that the blocks of the second set are greater in height than the blocks of the first set. In a disclosed embodiment, the height of the blocks of the second set is a multiple of the height of the blocks of the first set.
A method according to one embodiment of constructing a wall also is provided. The method includes providing a first block having a first face with a surface area greater than the surface area of an opposed second face. The first block is positioned in a first course with its lower surface facing the ground. A second block has a first face with a surface area greater than the surface area of an opposed second face. The second block is positioned in a second course on top of the first course in a vertical position so that a side surface of the second block is juxtaposed to the upper surface of the first block.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the following description, “upper” and “lower” refer to the placement of a block in a retaining wall. The lower, or bottom, surface of a block is placed such that it faces the ground. In a retaining wall, one row of blocks is laid down, forming a lowermost course or tier. An upper course or tier is formed on top of this lower course by positioning the lower surface of one block on the upper surface of another block. Additional course may be added until a desired height of the wall is achieved. Typically, earth is retained behind a retaining wall so that only a front surface of the wall is exposed. A free-standing wall (i.e., one which does not serve to retain earth) having two exposed surfaces may be referred to as a “fence.”
According to a first aspect, a block for constructing a wall is configured to be reversible, that is, the block has at least two surfaces of different dimensions, each of which can be used as the exposed face in a surface of a wall. According to another aspect, a pin and slot connection system for interconnecting blocks of adjacent courses permits alignment of blocks directly over one another, set forward, or set backward relative to one another so that either vertical or non-vertical walls may be constructed.
Referring first to
Desirably, the surface texture of the first face 18 is the same as that for the second face 20. In this manner, the block 10 is “reversible,” that is, either the first face 18 or the second face 20 can serve as the exposed face on one side of a wall. Since the first face 18 is larger than the second face 20, a wall constructed from such blocks takes on a more random, natural appearance, than a wall in which the exposed faces of all blocks are equal in size. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, both the first face 18 and the second face 20 are provided with a roughened, split look (as shown in
Pin-receiving slots (also referred to herein as troughs or channels) 22, 24 formed in the bottom surface 14 extend longitudinally of the block between the side walls 12, and preferably intersect the side walls as shown. The slots 22, 24 allow a block to be shifted longitudinally in a course either to the left or the right so that the block is longitudinally offset from a block in an adjacent lower course. Thus, a block in an upper course can be positioned to span two blocks in a lower course and be connected to them with a connected pin extending into one of the slots from one or both of the blocks in the lower course. Although less desirable, either of slots 22, 24 may extend only partially between the side walls 12. For example, the length of the slots 22, 24 may be less than the distances between opposed side walls at the slots such that the slots do not intersect the side walls 12. This configuration, however, limits the longitudinal placement of a block in an upper course relative to the blocks of a lower course. It would also eliminate the ability of a block to be stacked on its side in a wall, as shown in
The block 10 may also have a centrally located core 28 between the channels 22, 24 to reduce the overall weight of the block 10. The core 28 in the illustrated example is a semi-hollow or partial core that extends from the bottom surface 14 partially through the block 10. The core 28 may be a full core, that is, a core that extends completely through the block 10. When forming courses with blocks having full cores, the cores should be filled with a fill material, such as gravel, to prevent migration of earth into the core. In addition, the block 10 may have optional hand holds or handles 30 defined in the bottom surface 14 at each side wall 12 to facilitate carrying or placement of the block 10.
The block 10 has a plurality of pin-receiving apertures such as pin holes 26a-l formed in the upper surface 16. The pin holes 26a-l are shown as extending completely through the block, although this is not a requirement. In an alternative embodiment, the pin holes 26a-l extend partially through the block from the upper surface. In any event, the pin holes 26a-l are arranged in four rows extending substantially parallel to the first and second faces 18, 20.
Each row in the illustrated embodiment has three such pin holes 26, although the number of pins holes 26 in each row, as well as the number of rows of pin holes 26, may vary.
As best shown in
When constructing engineered or structural walls (e.g., walls typically built above a height of about four feet), a suitable geogrid can be placed between courses of blocks to extend into the hillside or earth behind the wall to give the wall sufficient strength and stability. Blocks having full cores (i.e., a core extending completely through the block) are preferred (although not required) when using geogrid because the fill material placed in the cores assists in retaining the geogrid between adjacent courses.
As mentioned, the pin and slot connection system permits vertical, set forward, or set back placement of blocks in a course relative to the blocks in an adjacent lower course. As shown in
Block 42 of the third course 44 is in a set back relation to block 38 of the second course 40. In this position, slot 24 of block 42 is aligned over the inner row 62 of pin holes of block 38 with the lower portion of a pin 32b received in a pin hole 26 of block 38 and the head of pin 32b received in slot 24 of block 42. Block 46 of the fourth course 48 is in a set forward relation to block 42 of the third course 44 with slot 24 of block 46 being aligned over an inner row 64 of pin holes 26 of block 42. Block 46 is also reversed in the wall so that its second face 20 is exposed in the first surface 54 of the wall and its first face 18 is exposed in the second surface 56 of the wall. A pin 32c is partially received in a pin hole 26 of block 42 and slot 24 of block 46 to hold these blocks together. Block 50 of the fifth course 52 is in a set forward position with respect to block 46 of the fourth course 48, with slot 22 of block 50 being aligned over an inner row 62 of pin holes 26 of block 46. A pin 32d is partially received in a pin hole 26 in the upper surface 16 of block 46 and slot 22 of block 50.
Referring again
Because the side walls 12 are angled with respect to the first and second surfaces 18, 20, the block 10, when used as a jumper, would be tilted slightly from a vertical plane of the wall. Also, a block placed on top of the upwardly facing side wall 12 of the jumper would be supported at an angle. Thus, to support the jumper and any overlying block in a vertically upright position, pin-receiving slots 66 and 68 are formed in the side walls 12 proximate the ends of channel 22. The widths w1 of pin-receiving slots 66 and 68 are desirably, although not necessarily, dimensioned to form a frictional fit with the lower portion of a connecting pin 32. When the block is turned on its side for vertical placement in a wall, pins are inserted into slots 66 and 68, which then support the block and any overlying block in a vertically upright position. Pin-receiving slots 70 and 72 are similarly formed in the side walls 12 proximate the ends of channel 24. Slot 70 serves as a pin hole for frictionally engaging the lower portion of a pin. Slot 72 has a width equal to that of channel 24 and serves as an extension of channel 24 to receive the upper portion of a pin.
Where a block is configured to be used as a jumper (such as shown in
As best shown in
All three blocks may be formed in a single mold as a three-block module, such as shown in
The large block 84 is shown as having all of the features of block 10 shown in
The block system can be used to construct various straight or curvilinear walls. As illustrated in
The dimensions of the small, medium and large blocks may vary. In one specific embodiment of a three-block system, the first face 86 of the large block 84 is 16 inches in length and the second face 88 is 14 inches in length. The first and second faces 92, 94, respectively, of the medium block 82 are 12 and 10 inches, respectively, in length. The first and second faces 100, 98, respectively, of the small block 80 are 6 and 4 inches, respectively, in length. The depth of each block is 11.5 inches and the height of each block is 8 inches. The foregoing dimensions have been found to permit ease of handling and withstand the impact forces of the tumbling process. Of course, those skilled in the art will realize, these specific dimensions (as well as other dimensions provided in the present specification) are given to illustrate the invention and not to limit it. These dimensions can be modified as needed in different applications or situations.
The radii of the curved walls shown in
The angles of convergence of the side walls of each block in the three-block system are substantially the same. Thus, placing blocks of any size side-by-side in a course, with every other block being reversed 180°, forms a substantially straight wall.
Because the blocks of the three-block system have angled side walls, a corner block may be used to form a 90° corner at the end of a wall.
Referring now to
As shown in
The large block 150 of the first set has a first face 124 and a second face 126. The large block 156 of the second set has a first face 136 and a second face 138. The length of the first face 124 of block 150 is equal to the length of the first face 136 of block 156. The medium block 152 of the first set has a first face 128 and a second face 130. The medium block 158 of the second set has a first face 140 and a second face 142. The first faces 128, 140 of the medium blocks 152, 158 are equal in length. The small block 154 of the first set has a first face 132 and a second face 134. The small block 160 of the second set has a first face 144 and a second face 146. The first faces 132, 144 of the small blocks 154, 160 are equal in length.
As shown, the first face of each block is greater in surface area than the second face so that each block can be used to provide at least two differently sized faces in the surface of a wall. Thus, a wall constructed from the small, medium and large blocks of both sets has the appearance of a wall constructed from twelve differently sized blocks. The angles of convergence of the side walls of each block are the same so that blocks placed side-by-side with every other block being reversed with respect to an adjacent block forms a substantially straight wall. Significantly, any two adjacent blocks form a closed joint at the front and back surface of the wall so that there are no open spaces between blocks. Thus, a wall made of blocks of the present embodiment can be used as a free-standing wall or fence.
The wall of
In addition, any of the blocks of the first and second sets can be configured for use as a jumper block.
In a specific implementation of the present embodiment, the first set of blocks comprises a small, medium and large block having a height of 8 inches. The first and second faces 124, 126, respectively, of the large block 150, are 16 and 14 inches, respectively, in length. The first and second faces 128, 130, respectively, of the medium block 152 are 12 and 10 inches, respectively, in length. The first and second faces 132, 134, respectively, of the small block 154 are 6 and 4 inches, respectively, in length. The depth of each block of the first set is 11.5 inches. A second set of blocks comprises a small, medium and large block having the same dimensions except that the blocks of the second set have a height of 4 inches.
Referring now to
The top surface 206 includes longitudinally extending channels 218 and 220 extending substantially parallel to the first and second faces 202, 204, respectively (
Channels 218 and 220 serve the purpose of pin receiving apertures, the same as pin holes 26 of block 10 in
The sections of concrete between channels 222 and 224 and between channels 220 and 218 may be recessed slightly (e.g., about ⅛ inch) relative to the top and bottom surfaces to avoid damage to those sections when the block is tumbled.
Like block 10 of
In another embodiment, channels 218 and 220 are formed in the bottom surface of the block and channels 222 and 224 are formed in the top surface of the block. In yet another embodiment, a single channel is formed in each of the bottom and top surfaces. In the latter configuration, the channels desirably are equidistant from the first and second faces 202, 204 to permit the construction of vertical walls.
Block 250 is desirable in that angled first and second faces 202, 204, respectively, provide for a substantially non-planar wall surface, thereby enhancing the natural appearance of the wall.
The dimensions of block 200 may vary. In one specific embodiment, the depth of the block between the first and second face is about 8 inches. The height of the block between the upper and lower surfaces is 4.875 inches. The lengths of the first face and the second face are 8 inches and 6.5 inches, respectively.
The present invention has been shown in the described embodiments for illustrative purposes only. The present invention may be subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. We therefore claim as our invention all such modifications as come within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/344,549, filed Oct. 18, 2001.
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