Systems and methods for use in retaining wall construction

Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods for covering portions of one or more block members after laying of the block members to allow filling of hollow cores in the block members with filler materials. A cover member prevents the filler materials from entering into channels or apertures covered by the cover member. A cover member has a top section and a downwardly depending member extending from the top section. The downwardly depending member extends into a portion of the block, and may engage with the block member to retain the cover member in position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover system for retaining wall block members having at least one hollow core comprising: a cover member having a top section and at least one downwardly depending portion from the top section, the at least one downwardly depending portion positioned with respect to the top section such that it extends into at least a first structure formed in the top of at least one block member, and the top section being dimensioned to extend over at least one additional structure formed in the top of at least one block member, but leaving the at least one hollow core of the block uncovered. 
     
     
         2 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the downwardly depending portion is at least one stem member having at least one radially outwardly extending portion. 
     
     
         3 . The cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one radially outwardly extending portion is dimensioned to engage with the at least first structure. 
     
     
         4 . The cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one radially outwardly extending portion is angled to form a lead-in taper to assist insertion into the at least first structure. 
     
     
         5 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least first structure is a channel or an aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional structure is at least one channel, aperture or boss. 
     
     
         7 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional structure is a feature to allow stacked blocks to be positively locked together. The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is formed to mate with a plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         9 . The cover system of  claim 7 , wherein the cover member is made of a material that can flex to curve between a plurality of blocks. 
     
     
         10 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is dimensioned to fit on a single block. 
     
     
         11 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is made of a material that allows a block retaining member to be punched through it, while providing the structural integrity to allow backfilling of the at least one hollow core without material entering into the covered area of the block. 
     
     
         12 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes at least one punch out portion. 
     
     
         13 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is made of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         14 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is made to be removed from the at least one block for reuse. 
     
     
         15 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member includes at least one angled top surface. 
     
     
         16 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the top section of the cover member has at least one end provided with an interconnecting structure to allow cover members to be interconnected together. 
     
     
         17 . A cover system for retaining wall block members having at least one hollow core comprising:
 a cover member having a top section and at least one downwardly depending portion extending from the top section,   the top section being dimensioned to extend over at least one structure formed in the top of at least one block member while not covering the at least one hollow core, and   the at least one downwardly depending portion positioned with respect to the top section such that it extends into at least an aperture formed in the top of at least one block member.   
     
     
         18 . The cover system of  claim 17 , wherein the downwardly depending portion includes a retaining structure to engage the block member and at least temporarily retain the cover member in position with at least one block member. 
     
     
         19 . The cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is pre-installed in association with a block member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of constructing a retaining wall structure formed of a plurality of block members stacked in layers to a predetermined height and configuration, wherein the block members have at least one hollow core, comprising:
 laying of a plurality of block members having at least one hollow core portion in at least one layer on a surface defining the base of the retaining wall,   positioning a cover member to cover structures formed in the block members, while not covering the at least one hollow core portion of the block member,   filling the at least one hollow core portion of one or more of the laid block members with a predetermined fill material,   laying at least one further layer of a plurality of block members upon the lower layer of blocks, and repeating the steps to form a retaining wall of predetermined dimensions.