Patent Publication Number: US-6666619-B2

Title: Protective wall assembly

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2001-0021898, filed on Apr. 24, 2001. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a protective wall assembly used to protect an embankment. Specifically, the protective wall covers an earthen embankment having an inclined plane to prevent the earthen embankment from being swept away by scouring during periods of high water flow such as in a flood or from tidal waves. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Protecting earthen embankments, dykes, or earth-formed walls is important when considering the impact that erosion or scouring from high water flows can have on these structures. As an example, there are many rivers in which the river&#39;s shape is formed in accordance with natural water flow and topography by moving soil from an embankment thereby re-shaping the embankment. 
     In the prior art, to protect the embankment, dyke, or earth-formed wall most of the protective walls are made from stones or stone nets covering the inclined surfaces of the embankments, dykes, or earth-formed walls. The stones or stone nets are used to prevent scouring and protect the embankments, dykes, or earth-formed walls from being swept out by high water flows or rapid water flow. Ultimately, the prior art attempts to prevent destruction caused by high water flows. In particular, destruction during floods and tidal waves. 
     However, the prior art stones or stone nets are not particularly useful for preventing scouring or for preventing destruction of the embankments, dykes, or earth-formed wall. The stones or stone nets are easily displaced by high water flows and can easily be washed away from the embankment, dyke, or earth-formed wall. 
     As a result, there is a need in the art to create a protective wall that can withstand the energy generated by high water flows and successfully protect the embankments, dykes, and earth-formed walls. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a protective wall assembly. The protective wall assembly comprises a plurality of block assemblies. Each of the block assemblies comprise a body having a top surface and a bottom surface surrounded by four side faces and interconnected by four intermediate faces to define an eight-sided body. Each of the side faces has a recess therein extending transversely to the top and bottom surfaces and each of the intermediate faces has a bore extending perpendicularly thereinto. The assembly further includes a first connecting device to engage the bores in opposing intermediate faces of a first pair of block assemblies wherein a length of one of the bores is different than a length of the other bore. 
     The protective wall assembly overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art. The prior art stones and stone nets fail to provide a secure structure resilient to high water flow rates. The use of the connecting devices of the present invention and the manner in which they are connected increases the resilience of the protective wall assembly to high water flow rates such as those experienced during periods of flooding and by tidal waves. 
     At the same time, the present invention aims at providing an environmentally friendly protective wall assembly that is in harmony with the surrounding scenery, as well as securely protecting it. As a result, the protective wall assembly of the present invention is conducive to grass and tree planting as illustrated by the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a river showing an embankment having an inclined surface. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a block assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away plane view of four abutting block assemblies of the present invention illustrating first and second connecting devices. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the river illustrating a protective wall assembly comprising the block assemblies. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating partial construction of the protective wall assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a protective wall assembly for protecting an embankment  6  is generally shown at  8 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the protective wall assembly  8  of the present invention can be utilized for a multitude of purposes. In general, the protective wall assembly  8  can be used to construct dams, dykes, railroad bases, roadways, to protect river bottoms, to protect dykes, to protect earthen walls, and the like. However, for illustrative purposes, the protective wall assembly  8  will be described as being used to protect the embankments  6  of a river  1 . Referring to FIG. 1, the embankments  6 , for illustrative purposes only, are shown as inwardly inclined surfaces  3 , 3   a  at both sides  2 , 2   a  of the river  1 . In FIG. 1, stones are shown covering the embankments  6 . However, as will be described later, a portion of the stones may be removed to construct the protective wall assembly or the protective wall assembly  8  can be constructed over the stones. Flowing water  4  is illustrated on the bottom of the river  1  beside the inclined surfaces  3 , 3   a  to show the relationship between the water  4  and the embankments  6 . 
     The protective wall assembly  8  comprises a plurality of block assemblies  10  to be placed on the inclined surfaces  3 , 3   a  of the embankments  6 . Referring to FIG. 2, each of the block assemblies  10  comprise a body  11  having a top surface  30  and a bottom surface  32  surrounded by four side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c  interconnected by four intermediate faces  13 , 13   a,   13   b,   13   c  to define an eight-sided body. Each of the side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c  has a recess  14 , 14   a,   14   b,   14   c  therein extending transversely to the top and bottom surfaces  30 , 32 . In the preferred embodiment, the recesses  14 , 14   a,   14   b,   14   c  are arcuate in shape. More specifically, each recess  14 , 14   a,   14   b,   14   c  forms a semi-circle in one of the side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c.    
     Each block assembly  10  includes a collar  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  disposed on the top surface  30  so as to define an upward extension of each of the recesses  14 , 14   a , 14   b , 14   c . Specifically, four collars  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  engage the body  11 . Each collar  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  has a base  36 , 36   a , 36   b , 36   c  at the top surface  30  and extends to an upper rim surface  38 , 38   a , 38   b , 38   c  narrower than the base  36 , 36   a , 36   b , 36   c . Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, each collar  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  has a semi-circular shape. More specifically, each collar  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  includes an interior surface  40 , 40   a , 40   b , 40   c  that matches the semi-circular shape of the associated recess  14 , 14   a , 14   b , 14   c  to form a continuous surface. Preferably, the collars  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  are integrally formed with the body  11 . However, the collars  15 , 15   a , 15   b , 15   c  may also be separate structures connected to the body  11 . 
     Each block assembly  10  includes a protrusion  16 , 16   a,   16   b,   16   c  adjacent to, or more specifically, below each of the intermediate faces  13 , 13   a,   13   b,   13   c.  Each of the protrusions  16 , 16   a,   16   b,   16   c  extend from the bottom surface  32  of the body  11  and defines a hexagonal frustum. The hexagonal frustums  16 , 16   a,   16   b,   16   c  project downwardly from the bottom surface  32  of the body  11  to be buried or fixed in the earth on the inclined surfaces  3 , 3   a  of the embankments  6 . As will be appreciated, the hexagonal frustums  16 , 16   a,   16   b,   16   c  of the block assembly  10  provide secure support of the block assemblies  10  in the earth. Preferably, the frustums  16 , 16   a,   16   b,   16   c  are integrally formed with the body  11 . However, the frustums  16 , 16   a,   16   b,   16   c  may also be separate structures connected to the body  11 . 
     The body  11  of each of the block assemblies  10  defines a center hole  12  centrally formed through the body  11  between the top and bottom surfaces  30 , 32 . The center holes  12  are cylindrical and can be used for planting grass and trees or for inserting a warning mark board in the center thereof. 
     Each of the intermediate faces  13 , 13   a,   13   b,   13   c  has a bore  21 , 22  extending perpendicularly thereinto. Specifically, each block assembly  10  has four bores  21 , 22  with two bores  21  in the intermediate faces  13 , 13   c  having a different length than the other two bores  22  in the intermediate faces  13   a,   13   b.  For descriptive purposes, two of the bores  21 , 22  will be hereinafter referred to as short bores  22  and two of the bores  21 , 22  will be hereinafter referred to as long bores  21 . The long bores  21  are formed in a lower end of the body  11  and the short bores  22  are formed in an upper end of the body  11 . The bores  21 , 22  are formed in the intermediate faces  13 , 13   a,   13   b,   13   c  so that connecting devices  20  can engage the bores  21 , 22 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, to construct the protective wall assembly  8 , a plurality of the block assemblies  10  are interconnected to one another using the bores  21 , 22 . To describe the construction of the protective wall assembly  8 , the relationship between four block assemblies  10  will be described in detail. The four block assemblies are labeled  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, and  10 D. It is to be appreciated that in the preferred embodiment, each of the block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D are identical. However, the protective wall assembly  8  could also be practiced such that each block assembly  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D has a different configuration. 
     In FIG. 3, block assemblies  10 A, 10 B are positioned in an upper row and block assemblies  10 C, 10 D are positioned in a lower row. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 3 shows the interconnection of four block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D. A first pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 D are positioned with a first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  opposed to one another and disposed in a spaced and parallel relationship to one another. A second pair of block assemblies  10 B, 10 C are positioned with a second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c  opposed to one another and disposed in a spaced and parallel relationship to one another. The first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  are perpendicular to the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c  to define a four-sided space S between the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  and the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c.    
     A first connecting device  42  engages the bores  21 , 22  in the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  of the first pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 D and a second connecting device  44  engages the bores  21 , 22  in the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c  of the second pair of block assemblies  10 B, 10 C. The first and second connecting devices  42 , 44  cross through the space S when engaging the block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D. The first connecting device  42  is further defined as a connecting rod  20  for insertion into the bores  21 , 22  in the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b.  The second connecting device  44  is also further defined as a connecting rod  20  for insertion into the bores  21 , 22  in the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c . Hereinafter, the connecting devices  42 , 44  shall be referred to as connecting rods  20 . The connecting rods  20  are preferably made from metal such as steel, but can be made from any non-corrosive material having high strength for holding the block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D together. Such rods are well known in the art for reinforcing concrete structures. 
     The bore  21  in one of the first pair of intermediate faces  13  is the long bore  21  and the bore  22  in the other of the first pair of intermediate faces  13   b  is the short bore  22 . Along the same lines, the bore  21  in one of the second pair of intermediate faces  13   c  is the long bore  21  and the bore  22  in the other of the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a  is the short bore  22 . One connecting rod  20  is inserted into the long and short bores  21 , 22  of the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  and one connecting rod  20  is inserted into the long and short bores  21 , 22  of the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c.  As previously mentioned, the long bore  21  has a length greater than the short bore  22 . As such, when the connecting rods  20  are inserted into the bores  21 , 22 , the connecting rods are fully seated in the short bores  22 , but only partially seated in the long bores  21 . Accordingly, the long bores  21  provide a space for adjusting the connecting rods  20  during construction, as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, a binding material M is placed in the space S defined by the first and second pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D to further secure the connecting rods  20  in the bores  21 , 22  and to further secure the protective wall assembly  8 . The binding material M can comprise cement or mortar or concrete, or any combination thereof, and is designated by a hidden line in FIG.  3 . The binding material M may be colored for aesthetic purposes or to characterize a warning sign. 
     Again referring to FIG. 3, four side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c  of the block assemblies  10 A, 10 D in the first pair are in a matching and abutting relationship to four side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c  of the block assemblies  10 B, 10 C in the second pair. The first pair being in a diagonally opposed relationship to the second pair. The recesses  14 , 14   a,   14   b,   14   c  and collars  15 , 15   a,   15   b,   15   c  of the side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c,  in a matching and abutting relationship, define a planting space P. (See FIGS.  4  and  5 ). The planting space P is cylindrical in shape. The planting space P can be used to facilitate the planting of trees or grass, as shown in the blow-up of FIG. 4, or for inserting the warning mark board after the protective wall assembly  8  has been constructed. Alternatively, the planting space P can simply provide a conduit for grasses and the like to grow naturally. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3,  4 , and  5 , construction of the protective wall assembly  8  using the connecting devices  42 , 44  to secure the protective wall assembly  8  such that the protective wall assembly  8  protects the embankment  6  will now be described. The first pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 D having the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  are positioned along the embankment  6  and the second pair of block assemblies  10 B, 10 C having the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c  are positioned along the embankment  6 . The block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D are arranged such that the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c  are perpendicular to the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  to define the space S. As previously described, the first pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 D are interconnected using the first connecting device  42  and the second pair of block assemblies  10 B, 10 C are interconnected using the second connecting device  44 . 
     Interconnecting the first and second pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D is further defined as diagonally inserting the connecting rods  20  into the bores  21 , 22  in each of the block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D of the first and second pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D such that both the connecting rods  20  pass through the space S, as previously described. 
     Construction of the protective wall assembly  8  further includes crossing the connecting rods  20  whereby the connecting rod  20  interconnecting the first pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 D crosses over the connecting rod  20  interconnecting the second pair of block assemblies  10 B, 10 C to define a cross  46  and the cross  46  is in the space S. The cross-linking of the block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D serves to further secure the protective wall assembly  8 . It is to be appreciated that the connecting rods  20  can be crossed in the same plane, or the connecting rods  20  can cross in different planes. In the case of crossing in different planes, the bores  21 , 22  in the first pair of intermediate faces  13 , 13   b  can be formed either lower or higher relative to the bores  21 , 22  in the second pair of intermediate faces  13   a,   13   c  to accommodate crossing of the connecting rods  20 . In this manner, the bottom surfaces  32  of the four block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D remain coplanar when positioned along the embankment  6 . 
     The cylindrical planting space P is formed between abutting side faces  34 , 34   a,   34   b,   34   c  of the first and second pair of block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D and the binding material M is filled in the space S in which the connecting rods  20  cross. The binding material M is filled in the space S between the top and bottom surfaces  30 , 32  and further secures and fixes the connecting rods  20  in position in the block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D. The binding material M may be colored. 
     The block assemblies  10  of the present invention may be mass-produced, as single, identical, concrete units interconnected by the connecting devices  42 , 44  and secured by the binding material M. The block assemblies  10  can also be made from colored concrete. It is to be further appreciated that all of the block assemblies  10  in the preferred embodiment are identical. In addition, it is to be appreciated that the protective wall assembly  8  of the present invention can comprise tens to hundreds of block assemblies  10  arranged similarly to those described above. However, for ease of description, only the relationship between the four block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D has been provided in detail. The block assemblies  10  when assembled with other block assemblies  10  to form the protective wall assembly  8  can be either partially exposed with only the protrusions  16 , 16   a , 16   b , 16   c  fixed in the earth, or the protective wall assembly  8  can be covered by soil or stone. Furthermore, the protective wall assembly  8  can be constructed by first removing the layer of stones along the embankment  6  and securing the protective wall assembly  8  in soil below. 
     The configuration of the first and second pairs of intermediate faces  13 , 13   a,   13   b,   13   c  having bores  21 , 22  and the colored binding material M filled in the space S formed by the four intermediate faces  13 , 13   a,   13   b,   13   c  of the four block assemblies  10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D, together with the semi-circular recesses  14 , 14   a,   14   b,   14   c  and the collars  15 , 15   a,   15   b,   15   c,  result in a unified structure, harmonized with the surrounding environment. The planting spaces formed by the semi-circular recesses  14 , 14   a,   14   b,   14   c  and the inner surfaces of the collars  15 , 15   a,   15   b,   15   c  communicate with the earth so that planting the trees or flowers or inserting the warning mark board in the planting spaces P is possible. The effect of which is an environmentally friendly structure to potentially provide green space or leisure areas for citizens and residents. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.