Interlocking and securable retaining wall block and system

Abstract

A retaining wall block for assembly into a retaining wall system and its securement therein by a stabilizing element. The retaining wall system includes a plurality of stacked rows of at least a plurality of blocks. The blocks includes left, right, front and rear body portions and at least one groove for receiving the stabilizing element. The groove extends laterally rearward of the front body portion and forward of the rear body portion or laterally between the left and right body portions.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A retaining wall block of a type adapted for assembly into a retaining wall system comprising a plurality of stacked rows of a plurality of the retaining wall blocks, the retaining wall blocks each comprising:
 left, right, front, and rear body portions, the left and right body portions comprising a substantially flat outer surface;   an interior space defined by the left, right, front, and rear body portions;   at least one alignment element extending vertically from a top surface of the retaining wall block and operable to be removably received within the interior space of another retaining wall block of the plurality of retaining wall blocks;   at least one groove operable to receive a stabilizing element, the 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, the groove comprising a substantially rectangular shaped profile; and   wherein the retaining wall block is adapted to be placed on a flat surface without a need for preparation of the flat surface or modification of the retaining wall block.   
   
   
       21 . The retaining wall block of  claim 20 , wherein the left and right body portions of adjacent retaining wall blocks may be placed flush against each other. 
   
   
       22 . The retaining wall block of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one alignment element extends vertically from a top surface of the left or right body portions. 
   
   
       23 . The retaining wall block of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one alignment element comprises a substantially L-shaped alignment element adapted to extend upwardly into the interior space of another retaining wall block of the plurality of retaining wall blocks. 
   
   
       24 . The retaining wall block of  claim 20 , wherein the groove comprises a front face, a rear face, and a bottom face. 
   
   
       25 . The retaining wall block of  claim 20 , wherein the stabilizing element comprises rebar. 
   
   
       26 . The retaining wall block of  claim 20 , further comprising an anchoring element secured to the stabilizing element. 
   
   
       27 . A retaining wall system comprising:
 a plurality of retaining wall blocks adapted to be placed on a flat surface without a need for preparation of the flat surface or modification of the retaining wall block, each retaining wall block of the plurality of retaining wall blocks comprising:
 left, right, front, and rear body portions, the left and right body portions comprising a substantially flat outer surface; 
 an interior space defined by the left, right, front, and rear body portions; 
 at least one alignment element extending vertically from a top surface of the retaining wall block and operable to be removably received within the interior space of another retaining wall block of the plurality of retaining wall blocks; 
 at least one groove, the 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, the groove comprising a substantially rectangular shaped profile; and 
   a stabilizing element operable to be received within the groove thereby connecting and securing adjacent retaining wall blocks, the stabilizing element comprising an anchoring element secured thereto.   
   
   
       28 . The retaining wall block of  claim 27 , wherein the left and right body portions of adjacent retaining wall blocks may be placed flush against each other. 
   
   
       29 . The retaining wall system of  claim 27 , wherein the left and right body portions are angled thereby allowing placement of the plurality of retaining wall blocks in an arcuate pattern. 
   
   
       30 . The retaining wall system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one groove comprises a channel of sufficient depth to permit the stabilizing element to be contained therein. 
   
   
       31 . The retaining wall system of  claim 27 , wherein the flat surface comprises an area of earth. 
   
   
       32 . The retaining wall system of  claim 27 , wherein the anchoring element is operable to be secured within the area of earth. 
   
   
       33 . The retaining wall system of  claim 27 , wherein the groove comprises a front face, a rear face, and a bottom face. 
   
   
       34 . A method of constructing a retaining wall system comprising a plurality of retaining wall blocks, the method comprising:
 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 an interior space therebetween, wherein the left and right body portions comprise a substantially flat outer surface;   forming a substantially planar lower surface of the block;   forming at least one alignment element extending upwardly from an upper surface of the retaining wall block, wherein the at least one aligning element is operable to be received by the interior space of another retaining wall block;   stacking the plurality of retaining wall blocks so that the at least one alignment element of a lower retaining wall block engages the interior space of an upper retaining wall block; and   securing the plurality of retaining wall blocks via a stabilizing element placed in a substantially rectangular groove formed on a top surface of the retaining wall block.   
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising forming at least one groove comprising a front face, a rear face, and a bottom face. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein stacking the plurality of retaining wall blocks comprises placing the left and right body portions of adjacent retaining wall blocks flush against each other. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein stacking the plurality of retaining wall blocks comprises arranging the retaining wall blocks in an arcuate pattern. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising anchoring the retaining wall system via a anchoring element secured to the stabilizing element.