AU2018100695A4 - A retaining wall arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A retaining wall arrangement including stackable interlockable modular blocks assembled into a series of vertical support columns interlinked with intermediate lengths of stackable concrete sleepers. Each stackable interlockable modular block includes a protruding section and a recess section allowing blocks to be orientated vertically one to the other. Central bore holes of each stackable interlockable modular block defines a passageway for a stake to pass there through so as to fix an assembled vertical support column with the ground and wherein the passageway also allows a slurry of concrete, binding material and/or other adhesive type composite to set therein thereby permanently interlocking the multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks in the assembled vertical support column. - 12 Figure..1

Description

This invention relates to a retaining wall arrangement and more particularly to a unique and inventive arrangement which includes a multiplicity of stackable modular blocks adapted for assembling into a series of vertical support columns wherein the interlocking between said modular blocks ultimately in part is permanent and achieved again at least in part due to the inherent structural configuration of the modular blocks.

BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION [002] Retaining walls are often used in landscaping around residential or commercial buildings. Due to the nature of their application in retaining or walling in a significant volume of ground material, they are often made of concrete structures set in situ or walls formed of stacked sections of heavy masonry blocks set upon a concrete foundation.

[003] Once a retaining wall reaches a particular height it will usually fall under the requirements of local building codes, in that a constructed retaining wall must withstand certain forces judged by the height of the wall, the overall mass of the wall and the width or thickness of the wall at the base, with the mass being the most critical.

[004] For these local building code requirements to be satisfied, as introduced above, this will often require that the retaining wall arrangement include a concrete based foundation.

[005] In many instances however, a retaining wall need not be of a substantial height to fall under a regulated building code, wherein the wall for the most part provides an aesthetic terracing and/or landscaping feature around a property, rather than a structural re-enforcement to potentially movable ground material.

2018100695 23 May 2018 [006] Nonetheless, without suitable material and methods of construction to be able to assemble a retaining wall that lacks significant height most people are reluctant to build such a retaining wall arrangement due to the cost, convenience, skill and difficulties involved in using concrete masonry blocks and so forth upon a concrete foundation.

[007] It would be advantageous if it was possible to provide a more simple, cost saving, convenient and efficient modular building arrangement of assembling the retaining wall which would allow the more DIY’s, landscapers or not necessarily fully skilled tradespersons, to be able to assemble together a retaining.

[008] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a retaining wall arrangement utilising a multiplicity of stackable interlocking modular blocks that will be able to be handled conveniently, safely and without any significant skill whereby these modular blocks are assembled into a series of vertical support columns interlinked by way of intermediate lengths of stackable concrete sleepers.

[009] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a complete reading of the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [010] In one form of the invention there is a retaining wall arrangement, said retaining wall arrangement including;

[011] a multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks adapted for assembly into a series of vertical support columns whereby said vertical support columns are interlinked by way of intermediate lengths of stackable concrete sleepers;

[012] each stackable interlockable modular block including a protruding section and a recess section so that when one modular block is stacked upon another the protruding section and the recess section align, allowing the respective modular blocks to be orientated vertically one to the other;

2018100695 23 May 2018 [013] each stackable interlocking modular block having a central bore whereby when the modular blocks are orientated vertically one upon the other in the assembly of said vertical support column, said respective bore holes of each modular block defines a passage for a stake to pass there through so as to fix the assembled vertical support column with the ground;

[014] said defined passageway of the respective bore holes of each of the modular blocks stacked within an assembled vertical support column further configured to allow a slurry of concrete, binding material and/or other adhesive type composite to be receivable there through said passage when said stake has fixed said vertical column support with the ground such that on setting of said concrete, binding material and/or other adhesive type composite, said stake becomes set in said passageway thereby permanently interlocking the multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks within the vertical support column.

[015] In preference the retaining wall arrangement further includes a tie-back arrangement adapted to reinforce the structural support strength of the vertical support column, said tie-back arrangement including an intermediate link, wherein the intermediate link includes a first section securable within a notch included within the modular block and a second section of the intermediate link exposable from the vertical support column, wherein the second section of the intermediate link is engagable with a bracing arrangement.

[016] In preference the first section of the intermediate link of the tie-back arrangement includes an aperture commensurate in dimensions and shape with the bore hole of the modular block such that the first section of the intermediate link is restable within said notch about a peripheral upper edge of the respective bore hole of the modular block so as to allow the stake to be positionable within the aperture of the first section of the intermediate link wherein the stake has been driven through the passage defined in the vertical column support to fix the vertical support column with the ground.

[017] In preference the bracing arrangement includes a column brace, wherein one end of the column brace is adapted to hook and retainably engage with an aperture

2018100695 23 May 2018 of the second section of the intermediate link and wherein another end of said column brace is adapted to be fixably retained to a picket securable within the ground at a distance from said vertical support column of the retaining wall arrangement.

[018] In preference the stackable interlockable modular block protruding section is at the base of the modular block and the recess section of the modular block is at the top of the modular block.

[019] In this embodiment the introduction of the protruding section at the base of the modular block and the corresponding recess at the top of the modular block enables a multiplicity of the interlockable modular blocks to be stackable one above the other as the protruding section nests and rests in the recess section of the top part of the modular block.

[020] In preference the protrusion section and the corresponding recess section of the modular block are configured within the structure so that once the protruding section rests within the corresponding recess of a vertically adjacent below modular block, the respective bore holes of each modular block align to define the passageway to which once the vertical support column is stacked to a preferred height by placing one modular block one upon the other, the defined passageway allows a stake to pass through each of the bore holes of the respective modular blocks making up the vertical support column so as to then stake the vertical column support with the ground.

[021] In preference each stackable interlockable modular block on opposing sides includes aligned continuous slots whereby lengths of stackable concrete sleepers are guidable and confinable therein.

[022] In preference the stackable interlockable modular block further includes a slot running along a side at 90° to the opposing sides including the aligned longitudinal slots.

[023] In alternative embodiments the slots are configured at a corner or corners of the stackable interlockable modular block.

2018100695 23 May 2018 [024] In preference the retaining wall arrangement further includes a base support structure wherein the base support structure includes a recess to accept the protruding section of a stackable interlockable modular block mounted thereon.

[025] In preference the retaining wall arrangement further includes a capping tile configured to nest upon the top of the assembled vertical support column thereby closing off the top of the stackable interlockable modular block stacked the highest upon the vertical support column.

[026] In preference a corner or corners of the stackable interlockable modular block are bevelled.

[027] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiments will be described with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks used in assembling the vertical support column as part of the retaining wall arrangement.

[029] Figure 2 illustrates the intermediate link of the tie-back arrangement adapted to work with the bracing arrangement to reinforce the structural support strength of the vertical support column of the retaining wall.

[030] Figures 3a and 3b are schematic representations of the bracing arrangement between the intermediate link and the ground-engaging picket.

[031] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base support.

[032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled vertical column support of the retaining wall arrangement and the bracing thereof in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

2018100695 23 May 2018 [033] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a constructed retaining wall arrangement in a preferred embodiment of the invention using the multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [034] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one of the stackable interlockable modular blocks shown generally as (10).

[035] In the preferred embodiment each stackable interlockable modular block includes on the two opposing sides (12), (14) longitudinal slots (16) and (18) which is discussed in greater detail when referencing Figure 6, allows lengths of stackable concrete sleepers (11) to be guided and confined in the respective slots (16) and (18) when a series of stackable interlockable modular blocks have been assembled into the series of vertical support columns referenced as (13) in Figure 6 and by which one such vertical support column (13) is shown in cross-section and will be discussed in greater detail when referencing Figure 5.

[036] In the stackable interlockable modular block (10) shown in Figure 1 there is a further slot (20) at 90° to the respective slots (16) and (18), included so as to allow greater variation in the way in which the adjacent vertical columns are aligned one with respect to the other, and how the concrete sleepers are orientated.

[037] In the preferred embodiment the stackable interlockable modular block (10) includes beveled edges (19).

[038] In Figure 6 reference (26) shows how a 90° arrangement can be made available between adjacent vertical support columns (13) as opposed to just 180°.

[039] The stackable interlockable modular block (10) includes a recess section (20) which is adapted to mate with the corresponding protruding section (24). As best seen in Figure 5 when the stackable interlockable modular blocks are assembled one atop the other, the protruding section (24) of the modular block (10) is able to nest and rest within the recess section (22) at the top of the modular block (10) thereby

2018100695 23 May 2018 appropriately aligning the modular blocks vertically one with the other as the requisite vertical support column is being constructed.

[040] Importantly, the protruding section (24) and the corresponding recess section (22) also allows the bore hole (28) of the modular block (10) to be aligned with the corresponding bore hole (28) of another modular block (10) stacked above or below when assembled into the vertical support column (13) as best seen in Figure 5.

[041] Advantageously, by including the central bore (28) inherently within the structure of the modular block (10) and by confining the way in which one modular block (10) can be stacked upon another modular block (10) through the protruding section (24) and the recess section (22) allows each of the bore holes (28) to define one continuous passage when the vertical column (13) is assembled.

[042] By having one defined vertical passage throughout the length of the assembled vertical column support (13) allows a stake (30) to pass through the series of bore holes (28) of the assembled vertical support column (13) to then engage the vertical support column (13) with the ground (32).

[043] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5 and also referenced in greater detail in Figure 4, the retaining wall arrangement also includes the base support structure (40).

[044] The base support structure (40) includes a top surface (41) which exposes the recess (43) and also the defined bore hole (44) which once again allows for the most immediate modular block (10) stacked upon the base support structure (40) to have the corresponding protruding section (24) engage with that recess (43) of the base support structure (40) so that the bore hole (44) of the base support structure (40) also aligns with the defined passage which has been constructed from the appropriately aligned bore holes (28) of each of the modular blocks (10) making up the vertical column support (13).

[045] Figure 2 illustrates the intermediate link shown generally as (50).

2018100695 23 May 2018 [046] The intermediate link (50) includes a first section (52) which is adapted to rest within a notch (53) that acts as a skirt around the top edge of the circumferential rim (55) of the bore hole (28) of the stackable interlockable modular block (10).

[047] The general circular shape shown as (54) rests within the notched rim (53) and the aperture (55) included in the first section (52) of the intermediate link (50) does not close off or hinder the opening to the bore hole (28) of the stackable interlockable modular block (10) but rather this aperture (55) included as part of the intermediate link (50) allows the stake (30) to be passed there through the aperture (55) thereby providing a point of leverage for the bracing arrangement shown best in Figures 3a and 3b and Figure 5.

[048] The bracing arrangement which includes the column brace (60) at one end has a hook section (62) which is able to engage the aperture (58) of the second section (51) of the intermediate link (50).

[049] At the other end of the brace column (60) there is another hook section (63) that engages with the picket arrangement (65).

[050] In preference in constructing the retaining wall, the base support structure (40) would be placed in the ground as required with the modular blocks (10) vertically stacked one upon the other to which then preferably a steel stake (30) would be placed there through the aligned bore holes (28) of each of the modular blocks (10) to the finished height of the wall.

[051] The intermediate link (50) would be added at the required level to construct the tie-back arrangement utilising the bracing arrangement referenced above.

[052] The inserted stake or picket (30) would be cut off at the top and then concrete slurry poured through the centre passing through the gaps around the stake (30) to set the stake (30) into place uniquely interlocking each one of the modular blocks (10) into a single vertical support column (13) once the poured concrete slurry has set.

2018100695 23 May 2018 [053] Thereafter base plates and capping tiles can be placed on the vertical support column by way of glue or the like.

[054] As best seen in Figure 6 a retaining wall can be uniquely constructed relying upon the multiplicity of the stackable interlockable modular blocks (10).

[055] The assembling of the stackable interlockable modular blocks (10) into a series of vertical support columns (13) allows the support columns (13) to be interlinked by the intermediate lengths of stackable concrete sleepers (11) to enclose the ground to which the retaining wall arrangement is structured thereabout.

2018100695 23 May 2018

Claims (6)

1. A retaining wall arrangement, said retaining wall arrangement including;

a multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks adapted for assembly into a series of vertical support columns whereby said series of vertical support columns are interlinked with intermediate lengths of stackable concrete sleepers;

each stackable interlockable modular block of the multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks, includes a protruding section and a recess section so that when a first stackable interlockable modular block is stacked upon a second stackable interlockable modular block, the protruding section and the recess section of the first stackable interlockable modular block and the second stackable interlockable modular block align, allowing the first stackable interlockable modular block and the second stackable interlockable modular block to be orientated vertically one to the other;

each stackable interlockable modular block having a central bore whereby when stackable interlockable modular blocks are orientated vertically one to the other in the assembly of said vertical support columns, said respective central bore holes of each stackable interlockable modular block defines a passageway for a stake to pass there through so as to fix an assembled vertical support column with the ground;

said defined passageway of the respective central bore holes of each of the stackable interlockable modular blocks stacked within the assembled vertical support column further configured to allow a slurry of concrete, binding material and/or other adhesive type composite to be receivable there through said passageway when said stake has fixed said assembled vertical column support with the ground such that on setting of said concrete, binding material and/or other adhesive type composite, said stake becomes set in said passageway thereby permanently interlocking the multiplicity of stackable interlockable modular blocks.

2018100695 23 May 2018

2. The retaining wall arrangement of claim 1 wherein the retaining wall arrangement further includes a tie-back arrangement adapted to reinforce structural support strength of the assembled vertical support column, said tie-back arrangement including an intermediate link, wherein the intermediate link includes a first section securable within a notch included within the stackable interlockable modular block and a second section of the intermediate link exposable from the assembled vertical support column, wherein the second section of the intermediate link is engagable with a bracing arrangement.

3. The retaining wall arrangement of claim 2 wherein the first section of the intermediate link of the tie-back arrangement includes an aperture commensurate in dimensions and shape with the central bore hole of the stackable interlockable modular block such that the first section of the intermediate link is restable within said notch about a peripheral upper edge of the respective central bore hole of the stackable interlockable modular block so as to allow the stake to be positionable within the aperture of the first section of the intermediate link when the stake has been driven through the passageway defined in the assembled vertical column support and/or wherein the bracing arrangement includes a column brace, wherein one end of the column brace is adapted to hook and retainably engage with an aperture of the second section of the intermediate link and wherein another end of said column brace is adapted to be fixably retained to a picket securable within the ground at a distance from said assembled vertical support column.

4. The retaining wall arrangement of claim 1 wherein each stackable interlockable modular block protruding section is at the base of the stackable interlockable modular block and the recess section of the stackable interlockable modular block is at the top of the stackable interlockable modular block and/or wherein the protruding section at the base of the stackable interlockable modular block and the corresponding recess at the top of the stackable interlockable modular block enables the multiplicity of the stackable interlockable modular blocks to be stackable one above the other as the protruding section nests and rests in the recess section of the stackable interlockable modular block.

2018100695 23 May 2018

5. The retaining wall arrangement of claim 1 wherein each stackable interlockable modular block on opposing sides includes aligned continuous slots whereby lengths of stackable concrete sleepers are guidable and confinable therein said continuous slots and/or wherein each stackable interlockable modular block further includes a further slot running along a side at 90° to the opposing sides including the aligned continuous slots and/or wherein the further slot is configured at a corner or corners of the stackable interlockable modular block and/or wherein the retaining wall arrangement further includes a base support structure wherein the base support structure includes a recess to accept the protruding section of each stackable interlockable modular block mounted thereon and/or wherein the retaining wall arrangement further includes a capping tile configured to nest upon the top of the assembled vertical support column thereby closing off the top of the stackable interlockable modular block stacked the highest upon the assembled vertical support column.

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Figure 5

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