Retaining wall block and method of manufacture

Abstract

An interlocking segmental retaining wall. The wall includes a plurality of blocks stacked upon each other. Each block includes a recess formed thereacross. The recess is formed with tapered walls to facilitate molding.

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 first surface;   a substantially planar second, opposite surface of said block;   at least one indentation formed across said first surface, the indentation having at least two angulated side walls facilitating fabrication thereof; and   at lease one aligning element extending from said first surface of said block.   
   
   
       2 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aligning element extends in generally parallel spaced relationship from the at least one indentation formed across said first surface. 
   
   
       3 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , further comprising a central void formed through said retaining wall block to reduce weight thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 3 , wherein the central void extending through said block is defined by wall portions in generally parallel spaced relationship with the left and right body portions of said block. 
   
   
       5 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one indentation comprises first and second wall sections in generally parallel spaced relationship contiguous a bottom surface comprised of angulated walls extending therefrom and extending into said block. 
   
   
       6 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second wall portions are in generally parallel spaced relationship with said the at least one aligning element extending from said first surface of said block. 
   
   
       7 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two angulated corner regions between said front and said left and right body portions of said block. 
   
   
       8 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , further comprising said at least one aligning element extending substantially across said first surface along said rear body portion to serve as an alignment element during installation of said block one atop another. 
   
   
       9 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said block is formed of concrete. 
   
   
       10 . The interlocking retaining wall block of  claim 1 , wherein said block is formed of injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       11 . A method of manufacturing 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 method comprising:
 forming male and female molds adapted to form left, right, front and rear body portions of a block, said front and rear body portions of said blocks being connected by said left and right body portions, defining a first surface;   molding said block with a substantially planar second, opposite surface from said first surface;   molding at least one indentation formed across said first surface, the indentation having at least two angulated side walls facilitating fabrication thereof; and   molding at least one aligning element extending from said first surface of said block.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one aligning element extends in generally parallel spaced relationship from the at least one indentation formed across set first surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forming a central void through said retaining wall block to reduce the weight thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the central void extends through said block, defined by certain wall portions in generally parallel spaced relationship with the left and right body portions of said block. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one indentation is formed with first and second wall sections in generally parallel spaced relationship contiguous a bottom surface comprised of angulated walls extending therefrom and extending into said block. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said first and second wall portions are formed in generally parallel spaced relationship with the at least one aligning element extending from said first surface of said block. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising forming at least two angulated corner regions between said front and said left and right body portions of said block. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprsing forming said at least one aligning element in a position extending substantially across said first surface along said rear body portion to serve as an alignment element during installation of said block one atop another. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said block is formed of concrete. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said block is formed of injection molded plastic.