Patent Publication Number: US-2023150174-A1

Title: Adjustable locator retaining wall block and mold apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/311,194, filed Jun. 20, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/838,205, filed on Jun. 21, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to retaining wall blocks, and more specifically to a retaining wall having adjustable positioning engagements and a mold for manufacturing such. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Retaining wall blocks can be manufactured and arranged in a variety of different ways. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system of retaining wall blocks, a method of assembling a retaining wall block assembly, and a mold for manufacturing retaining wall blocks having adjustable engagement configurations. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A through  1 C  are diagrams of a retaining wall block in accordance with in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  2 A through  2 C  are diagrams of retaining wall blocks in accordance with in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  3 A through  3 B  are diagrams of retaining wall blocks in accordance with in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  4 A through  4 B  are diagrams of a mold shoe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram of a mold shoe in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a retaining wall with an adjustable incline angle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
       FIGS.  1 A through  1 C  are diagrams of a retaining wall block  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Retaining wall block  100  can be formed from masonry, concrete or other suitable materials, using a wet cast process, a dry cast process or other suitable processes. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , retaining wall block  100  includes a top face  105 , engagement cavity  110 , and textured front face  115 . Textured front face  115  can be formed by splitting retaining wall block  100  from a second retaining wall block  100 , as discussed in greater detail below. As shown in  FIG.  1 B , which is a front view of retaining wall block  100 , front face  115  includes a false joint  120  for aesthetic purposes. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 C , which is a side view of retaining wall block  100 , retaining wall block  100  further includes bottom surface  125  having at least one engagement protrusion  130 . Engagement protrusion  130  is configured to interface with engagement cavity  110  of an underlying retaining wall block  100 . Furthermore, the front engagement cavity  110  is offset from the location of engagement protrusion  130 , so as to result in a staggered incline as successive rows of retaining wall blocks  100  are formed. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the incline of successive rows of retaining wall blocks  100  is generally vertical with no staggering. 
       FIGS.  2 A through  2 C  are diagrams of two engaged retaining wall blocks  100  and  200 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  2 A , retaining wall blocks  100  and  200  include top faces  105  and  205 , respectively, engagement cavities  110  and  210 , respectively, and textured front faces  115  and  215 , respectively. As previously discussed, retaining wall blocks  100  and  200  can also have false joints  120  and  220 , respectively, for aesthetic purposes, as shown in  FIG.  2 B . Likewise, other suitable false joints can also or alternatively be used. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, first retaining wall block  100  is disposed onto a top surface  205  of a second retaining wall block  200 . As shown in  FIG.  2 C , first retaining wall block  100  can positioned so that engagement protrusions  130  align with and fit into engagement cavity  210  of second retaining wall block  200 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle and configuration of engagement notches  110  and  210  and engagement members  130  and  230  can be varied to allow the blocks  100 ,  200  to be assembled with an offset. In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle of engagement notches  110  and  210  can be between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees. Likewise, the angle of engagement members  130  and  230  can be between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees. 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are diagrams of retaining wall blocks  302 A,  302 B and  302 C, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  3 A  shows an overhead view of retaining wall blocks  302 A,  302 B and  302 C, with block  302 A centered over blocks  302 B and  302 C. In addition, internal support  304 A of block  302 A is aligned with internal support  306 B of block  302 B, and internal support  306 A of block  302 A is aligned with internal support  304 C of block  302 C. 
       FIG.  3 B  shows an underside view of retaining wall blocks  302 A,  302 B and  302 C. As can be seen, the blocks are H-shaped, and each include engagement cavities on a top surface and engagement protrusions on a bottom surface that can interlock with the engagement cavities at the top of underlying blocks. The location of the engagement cavities and engagement protrusions is adjustable, as previously described, so as to allow the angle of incline for the wall to be selected. 
       FIG.  4 A through  4 B  are diagrams  400 A and  400 B of a mold for manufacturing retaining wall blocks, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The mold can be formed from steel or other suitable materials, and can be configured to handle masonry, cement or other suitable materials. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  4 A through  4 B , the mold includes a base portion  402  having a ridge  404 , which is used to form the notch at the top of the block. The body  406  of the mold is placed on top of the base portion, and a shoe  408  with adjustable inserts  410  and  412  are provided that can be used to create blocks with different angles of incline, such as to allow a wall designer to specify an angle of incline. Inserts  410  and  412  interlock with shoe  408 , such as by using a mechanical interlock device, screws or in other suitable manners. 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram of a mold shoe  500  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Mold shoe  500  includes body  502  and insert channel  505  that can be used to change the location of the at least one engagement protrusion. For example, by using insert A  510 , the location of the at least one engagement protrusion is farther back than when using insert B  515 . The location of the at least one engagement protrusion defines the incline of the wall, such as to allow the incline to be adjusted based on design specifications. 
       FIG.  6    is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a retaining wall with an adjustable incline angle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Method  600  begins at  602 , where an inset associated with a selected angle of incline is selected and incorporated into a mold. In one exemplary embodiment, the inset can be configured to interlock with a shoe of a mold assembly, such as by using a mechanical interlock, can be secured using screws or can otherwise be attached to the mold assembly. The method then proceeds to  604 . 
     At  604 , the mold is filled with masonry, cement or other suitable materials. 
     At  606 , the shoe is used to compress the material into the mold and the shoe and mold is then removed. 
     At  608 , the material is allowed to harden. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.