Interlocking and securable retaining wall block and system

Abstract

Retaining wall blocks, retaining wall system formed thereby, and method for manufacturing the retaining wall blocks. The blocks are adapted for assembly to form a retaining wall system. A block of an upper row is laterally positioned by positioning it on top of two lower blocks. Each block also includes at least one mounting surface for securing a stabilizing element therewith. The mounting surface can be embodied as a groove which is inset into the upper surface of the blocks. Each block may additionally include opposing front and back body portions, and opposing side body portions, defining a void therein. The blocks may include aligning elements extending upwardly from an upper surface of the block body. The aligning elements of the lower blocks fit into the void of the upper block and assist in aligning the upper block on the lower blocks and, optionally, in securing a reinforcing structure placed between the layers. The wall, which may be either straight or curved, includes a plurality of blocks stacked in one or more rows. The aligning elements fit into the void and perform the aligning and reinforcing function in straight rows and when the rows curve to form a curved retaining wall. When the wall is assembled, anchoring elements may be placed throughout the wall by attaching an end of the anchoring element to the stabilizing element, while securing another end of the anchoring element to another stable surface, such as the ground.

1 . An interlocking retaining wall block, adapted for assembly into a retaining wall system including a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of said blocks, said block comprising: 
 left, right, front and rear body portions, said front and rear body portions of said blocks being connected by said left and right body portions, defining a void therebetween,    a substantially planar lower surface of said block; and    at least a left and a right aligning element extending upwardly from an upper surface of said block, each of said aligning elements located forward of an exterior face of the rear body portion and rearward of an interior face the front body portion on each of said left and right body portions, wherein each of said aligning elements is operable to be received by the void of another one of said blocks.    
   
   
       2 . The interlocking block of  claim 1 , said rear body portion comprising a rear surface defining an end of the block; and 
 each of said aligning elements comprising a flat rear face and extending laterally inwardly of said left and right body portions;    wherein said flat rear face is above said rear body portion and forward of said rear surface.    
   
   
       3 . The interlocking block of  claim 2 , wherein each of said aligning elements is adapted to extend upwardly into the void of one of the blocks in a row stacked above to interlock therewith, and wherein the void defined by the body portions is a single void extending through said block.  
   
   
       4 . The interlocking block of  claim 1 , each of said aligning elements comprising a substantially L-shaped aligning element adapted to extend upwardly into the void of one of the blocks in a row stacked above to interlock therewith.  
   
   
       5 . The interlocking block of  claim 4 , wherein said second aligning portions of said left and right aligning elements are adapted to interlock with the rear body portion of the block in the row stacked above.  
   
   
       6 . The interlocking block of  claim 1 , each of said left and right body portions comprising inner and outer side surfaces and the rear body portion comprising a front surface defining the void; 
 wherein each of said first portions of said aligning elements is flush with both of said inner and outer side surfaces of the respective body portion from which it extends and each of said second portions of said aligning elements is flush with the front surface.    
   
   
       7 . The interlocking block of  claim 1 , wherein said block is operable to be secured by a stabilizing element, said block further comprising a groove including a front, rear, and bottom face, said groove operable to receive said stabilizing element.  
   
   
       8 . The interlocking block of  claim 7 , wherein said groove extends laterally rearward of the front body portion and forward of the rear body portion.  
   
   
       9 . The interlocking block of  claim 7 , wherein supports an anchoring element secured to the stabilizing element.  
   
   
       10 . A method of constructing an interlocking retaining wall block, comprising the steps of: 
 forming left and right body portions and front and rear body portions, wherein    said front and rear body portions are connected by said left and right body portions, and define a void therebetween;    forming a substantially planar lower surface of said block; and    forming at least one aligning element extending upwardly from an upper surface of said block, said    aligning element comprising a forward aligning portion located forward of the rear body portion and a rear aligning portion located on the rear body portion rearward of the left and right body portions, wherein the at least one aligning element is operable to be received by the void of another one of said blocks.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of forming at least one aligning element includes the step of forming a substantially rectangular aligning element.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of forming left and right body portions includes the steps of: 
 forming inner and outer side surfaces for each of said left and right body portions; and    forming a forward aligning portion flush with both of said inner and outer surfaces of the respective body portion from which it extends.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of forming at least one aligning element includes the step of integrally-forming each said forward aligning portion with said rear aligning portions located rearward thereof  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of forming left and right body portions includes the step of forming a rear surface of said rear body portion, said rear surface defining an end of the block, and each of said rear aligning portions has a flat rear face and extends laterally inwardly of said left and right body portions, and said flat rear face is above said rear body portion and forward of said rear surface.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of forming at least one said aligning element comprises the step of forming a substantially L-shaped aligning element having a flat rear face extending laterally inwardly of said left and right body portions.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of forming a groove rearward of said front body portion and forward of said rear body portion, said groove operable to receive a stabilizing element.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of forming further comprises the step of supporting, by the block, an anchoring element secured to the stabilizing element.  
   
   
       19 . A retaining wall block, adapted for assembly into a retaining wall system and its securement therein by a stabilizing element, said retaining wall system including a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of said blocks, said block comprising: 
 left, right, front and rear body portions; and    at least one groove adapted to receive said stabilizing element, said groove extending laterally rearward of the front body portion and forward of the rear body portion or laterally between the left and right body portions.    
   
   
       20 . The securable retaining wall block of  claim 19 , wherein said groove comprises a channel 
 sufficiently deep to permit the stabilizing element to be contained therein.    
   
   
       21 . The securable retaining wall block of  claim 19 , wherein said groove supports an anchoring element secured to the stabilizing element.  
   
   
       22 . An interlocking retaining wall block, adapted for assembly and securement into a retaining wall system by a stabilizing element, said system including a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of said blocks, said block comprising: 
 left, right, front and rear body portions, said front and rear body portions of said blocks being connected by said left and right body portions, defining a void therebetween;    a substantially planar lower surface of said block;    at least a left and a right aligning element extending upwardly from an upper surface of said block, each of said aligning elements located forward of an exterior face of the rear body portion and rearward of an interior face the front body portion on each of said left and right body portions, wherein each of said aligning elements is operable to be received by the void of another one of said blocks; and    said block having formed therein a groove operable to receive said stabilizing element.    
   
   
       23 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 22 , wherein said groove is formed sufficiently deep to permit the stabilizing element to be contained therein.