Securable retaining wall block and system

Abstract

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 the blocks and a stabilizing element. The block includes left, right, front and rear body portions, the front and rear body portions of the blocks being connected by the left and right body portions, defining a void therebetween and a substantially planar rear wall portion. The block further includes at least a left and a right aligning element extending upwardly from an upper surface of the block, wherein a height of the rear wall portion of the block is substantially lower than a height of the left and right aligning elements.

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 the blocks and a stabilizing element, the block comprising:
 left, right, front and rear body portions, the front and rear body portions of the blocks being connected by the left and right body portions, defining a void therebetween;   a substantially planar rear wall portion; and   at least a left and a right aligning element extending upwardly from an upper surface of the block, wherein a height of the rear wall portion of the block is substantially lower than a height of the left and right aligning elements.   
   
   
       2 . The interlocking block of  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking block is operable to be secured by the stabilizing element, the interlocking block further comprising a groove. 
   
   
       3 . The interlocking block of  claim 2 , wherein the groove comprises:
 a front surface;   a rear surface; and   a bottom surface.   
   
   
       4 . The interlocking block of  claim 3 , wherein the groove extends laterally rearward of the front body portion and forward of the rear body portion. 
   
   
       5 . The interlocking block of  claim 3 , wherein the groove is adapted to receive the stabilizing element. 
   
   
       6 . The interlocking block of  claim 2 , wherein the interlocking block is operable to be further secured by at least one anchoring element. 
   
   
       7 . The interlocking block of  claim 6 , wherein a first end of the anchoring element is attached at any location on the stabilizing element and a second end of the anchoring element is secured to ground. 
   
   
       8 . The interlocking block of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is adapted to extend rearwardly from the stabilizing element across the block. 
   
   
       9 . The interlocking block of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one anchoring element is adapted to individually secure the interlocking block. 
   
   
       10 . The interlocking block of  claim 6 , wherein the rear wall portion of the interlocking block is substantially lower in height than the height of the left and right aligning elements facilitates rearward extension of the at least one anchoring element thereacross and individually secures the interlocking block. 
   
   
       11 . 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 the front and rear body portions are connected by the left and right body portions, and define a void therebetween;   forming a substantially planar rear wall portion; and   forming at least one aligning element extending upwardly from an upper surface of the block, wherein a height of the rear wall portion of the block is substantially lower than a height of the left and right aligning elements.