Patent ID: 8602691
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: E21D

Abstract:
1. A locking mechanism for locking a spiralnail used in a retaining wall system, the locking mechanism comprising: a pilaster having an elongate pilaster body having a front surface and edge walls extending outwardly from the front surface; a nail hole through the elongate pilaster body shaped to receive the spiralnail therethrough; a bolt slot through the elongate pilaster body adjacent the nail hole; a locking ring that includes opposed surfaces that extend to a perimeter, the locking ring having a nail engaging aperture and a first bolt hole therethrough, the nail engaging aperture having a perimeter shaped to receive the spiralnail therethrough and lockingly engage the spiralnail; a cam plate having opposed surfaces that extend to a cam-shaped outer perimeter, the cam plate having a second bolt hole and a torque application element; a bolt positioned through the bolt slot of the pilaster, through the first bolt hole of the locking ring, and through the second bolt hole of the cam plate; and a nut operably engages with the bolt to tighten the cam plate and the locking ring against the pilaster, whereby the torque application element may be used to rotate the cam plate so that the cam-shaped outer perimeter contacts one of the edge walls of the pilaster and acts as a lever to rotate the locking ring and apply torque to the spiralnail.