Patent ID: 6939087

Claim:
A retaining wall system for stabilizing an earthen wall comprising: at last one panel structure comprising a wall panel defining an exposed face and a rear face, and at least one insert, where a first portion of the insert is embedded within the wall panel and a second portion of the insert is spaced from the rear face of the wall panel such that the second portion and the rear face of the wall define at least one lock opening; at least one anchor mesh panel comprising at least one tension member defining an anchor axis, where the at least one tension member is bent at a first edge location to define a substantially straight bearing portion defining a bearing axis, and at a second edge location to define a return portion, where the at least one tension member is bent such that the return portion extends at a first angle of between approximately 160° and 210° relative to the bearing axis; and at least one lock member; whereby the anchor mesh panel is arranged such that the first edge portion of the tension member is adjacent to the rear face of the panel structure and at least a portion of the bearing portion of the at least one tension member is located within the lock opening; the at least one lock member is inserted through the at least one lock opening to engage the bearing portion of the at least one tension member and the second portion of the insert to inhibit relative movement between the anchor mesh panel and the wall panel; one of the bearing portion and the return portion of the at least one tension member engages the rear face of the wall panel; the lock member engages the engaging portion of the at least one tension member at the edge portion to prevent the bearing portion from being withdrawn from the lock opening; and a gap is formed between the rear face of the wall panel and the lock member, where the gap is too small to allow a structure formed by the bearing portion and return portion of the at least one tension member to pass through the gap.