WO2014022637A1

WO2014022637A1 - Structural unit and positioning member

Info

Publication number: WO2014022637A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/053174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert L. WELLING
Original assignee: R. I. Lampus Company
Priority date: 2012-08-01
Filing date: 2013-08-01
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: KR20150034780A; JP2015527512A; US20140037389A1

Abstract

A structural unit, including a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces; at least one receiving hole extending through at least a portion of the body and configured to receive at least one positioning member at least partially therethrough; and at least one aligning channel extending along an exterior surface of the body and configured to interact with a portion of the at least one positioning member to position at least two structural units with respect to each other. The structural unit and the at least one positioning member are formed from the same material. A plurality of structural units may be nested or formed as a wall.

Description

STRUCTURAL UNIT AND POSITIONING MEMBER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/678,334, filed August 1, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[002] The present disclosure relates to structural units, e.g., blocks, for walls, e.g., retaining walls, which are typically used to reinforce sloping embankments, and, more specifically, to a wall block having a positioning feature and arrangement for positioning and/or aligning the block relative to adjacent blocks.

Description of Related Art

[003] Structural units, such as blocks, are formed from brick, stone, concrete, and other materials. The blocks may be stacked in rows to form walls, such as retaining walls and the like. Generally, the blocks are configured so that a row of blocks is connected to a row of blocks positioned immediately below with mechanical connections for the purpose of aligning and interlocking individual blocks of the upper row with the row below. These mechanical connections can be integrally molded into the blocks themselves, as in the case for lugs and lips projecting from the rear or front face of the block. The mechanical connections may also include a separate connector that is inserted in the top of a hole through the block and received by a corresponding receiving hole or slot in the block below. In the first case, the projection or lip is typically molded into the block and forms a connection to a block in the row below by resting against the top surface or side of the lower block. Lip systems typically are used to limit the setback or built-in slope of the wall to the degree established by the thickness of the projection.

[004] In contrast, blocks connected by pins offer greater flexibility in the placement of the adjacent blocks. For example, the blocks can be configured with variations in the setback angle by varying the position of the receiving hole. The pins used in retaining wall blocks may be manufactured with various materials such as plastic, fiberglass, steel, and wood, and are typically supplied as an accessory necessary for proper construction of the wall. Pins can be expensive and add to the time and labor required to construct the retaining wall. Therefore, a need exists for a connector and connection arrangement for a retaining wall block, which offers the construction advantages of a pin. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] Generally, provided is a structural unit with a positioning member that addresses or overcomes some or all of the deficiencies and drawbacks associated with existing positioning arrangements utilized in connection with blocks for building a wall structure.

[006] Accordingly, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a structural unit with a positioning member/system for constructing a wall stracture with a plurality of interconnected units. The structural units are configured to be placed in a side- by-side arrangement and stacked on top of each other to form a vertical stracture, such as a wall. The units may be arranged in a recessed arrangement where upper rows of the wall stracture are set back farther than lower rows. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the wall structure is used for the purpose of preventing erosion of soil from a hillside or steep embankment. The wall may also include decorative features such as an ornamental or decorative front face or decorative curves for aesthetic purposes. In addition, in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the structural unit includes an integrated positioning member, such as in the form of a rod, a pin, an elongate member, and the like.

[007] In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the structural unit includes a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces and at least one receiving arrangement. The structural unit further includes at least one positioning member connected to the body. The at least one positioning member is separable from the body and configured for interaction with the at least one receiving arrangement. In accordance with one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the at least one receiving arrangement includes at least one receiving hole extending through at least a portion of the body and at least one aligning channel extending along an exterior surface of the body. The at least one positioning member is configured for insertion into the at least one receiving hole.

[008] In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the at least one aligning channel is configured to interact with a portion of the at least one positioning member to position at least two structural units with respect to each other. The body and the at least one positioning member are formed from the same material.

[009] In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the at least one receiving hole has a substantially cross-shaped cross section including a longitudinal slot and a transverse slot adapted to receive a substantially rectangular positioning member through one of the longitudinal slot or the transverse slot. Alternatively, the at least one receiving hole has a substantially circular cross-section and wherein the at least one positioning member is a cylinder configured for insertion into the substantially circular cross-section of the at least one receiving hole. In a further embodiment, the at least one receiving hole has a substantially mushroom- shaped cross-section including a semicircular portion and a slot portion extending from the diameter of the semicircular portion. In this embodiment, the at least one receiving hole is configured such that when the at least one positioning member is inserted parallel to the diameter of the semicircle, an adjacent block in a row above is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, such that a front face of the block is substantially planar with a front face of the adjacent block in the row above, and wherein when the at least one positioning member is inserted perpendicular to the diameter of the semicircular portion, the adjacent block in the row above is in a set back orientation.

[0010] In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of structural units is positioned to form a row, wherein two or more rows of stmctural units are stacked on top of one another to form a wall. A first row is set back from a second row on which it is stacked, thereby forming a sloped wall. Alternatively, front faces of the stmctural units of a first row are substantially planar with front faces of the structural units of a second row below, thereby fomiing a substantially vertical retaining wall.

[0011] In accordance with another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a retaining wall block includes a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces, at least one receiving arrangement provided on at least a portion of the body, and at least one positioning member connected to the body. The at least one positioning member is separable from the body and configured to interact with the at least one receiving arrangement and at least a portion of a second retaining wall block to position the retaining wall block relative to the second retaining wall block. The at least one receiving arrangement includes at least one receiving hole extending through at least a portion of the body and at least one aligning channel extending along an exterior surface of the body. The at least one positioning member is configured for insertion into the at least one receiving hole. The body and the at least one positioning member are formed from the same material.

[0012] In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the at least one receiving hole has a substantially cross-shaped cross section including a longitudinal slot and a transverse slot adapted to receive a substantially rectangular positioning member through one of the longitudinal slot or the transverse slot. Alternatively, the at least one receiving hole has a substantially circular cross-section and wherein the at least one positioning member is a cylinder configured for insertion into the substantially circular cross-section of the at least one receiving hole. In a further alternative and non-limiting embodiment, the at least one receiving hole has a substantially mushroom-shaped cross-section including a semicircular portion and a slot portion extending from the diameter of the semicircular portion. In this embodiment, the at least one receiving hole is configured such that when the at least one positioning member is inserted parallel to the diameter of the semicircle, an adjacent block in a row above is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, such that a front face of the block is substantially planar with a front face of the adjacent block in the row above, and wherein when the at least one positioning member is inserted perpendicular to the diameter of the semicircular portion, the adjacent block in the row above is in a set back orientation.

[0013] In yet another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of retaining wall blocks is positioned to form a row, and wherein two or more rows of retaining wall blocks are stacked on top of one another to form a wall. A first row is set back from a second row on which it is stacked, thereby forming a sloped wall. Alternatively, front faces of the retaining wall blocks of a first row are substantially planar with front faces of the retaining wall blocks of a second row below, thereby forming a substantially vertical retaining wall.

[0014] In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a nested unit having two or more retaining wall blocks connected to one another by at least one face, wherein at least one of the two or more blocks includes a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces and at least one receiving arrangement provided on at least a portion of the body. The at least one of the blocks further includes at least one positioning member connected to the body. The at least one positioning member is separable from the body and configured to interact with the at least one receiving arrangement and at least a portion of an adjacent block to position the block relative to the adjacent block.

[0015] These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of stmctures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a structural unit with a positioning member in accordance with one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. IB is a perspective view of the structural unit of FIG. 1 A having a positioning member inserted into a receiving hole;

[0018] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the structural unit of FIG. 1A positioned on top of a second structural unit and having a positioning member inserted in a receiving hole;

[0019] FIG. 2A is a top view of a structural unit with a positioning member in accordance with another embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 2B is a front view of the structural unit of FIG. 2 A;

[0021] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the structural unit of FIG. 2A;

[0022] FIG. 2D is a side view of the structural unit of FIG. 2A;

[0023] FIG. 3A is a top view of a structural unit with a positioning member in accordance with another embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 3B is a front view of the structural unit of FIG. 3 A;

[0025] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the structural unit of FIG. 3A;

[0026] FIG. 3D is a side view of the structural unit of FIG. 3A;

[0027] FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a structural unit with a positioning member in accordance with another embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the structural unit of FIG. 4A;

[0029] FIG. 4C is a side view of the structural unit of FIG. 4A;

[0030] FIG. 4D is a top view of two structural units of FIG. 4A connected to one another to form a nested unit;

[0031] FIG. 4E is a top view of three structural units of FIG. 4A stacked to form a convex wall;

[0032] FIG. 5A is a top view of another embodiment of a nested unit of structural units;

[0033] FIG. 5B is a top view of the nested unit of FIG. 5A with the structural units split apart;

[0034] FIG. 6A is a top view of another embodiment of tliree structural units stacked together to form a set back wall;

[0035] FIG. 6B is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of structural units stacked in a set back orientation to form a retaining wall; [0036] FIG. 7A is a top view of a further embodiment of three structural units stacked together to form a near vertical wall;

[0037] FIG. 7B is a schematic drawing of a further embodiment of structural units stacked in the near vertical orientation to form a retaining wall;

[0038] FIG. 8 is a top view of a still further embodiment of three structural units stacked to form a convex wall;

[0039] FIG. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of three structural units stacked to form a convex wall;

[0040] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of a further embodiment of structural units stacked to form a return comer;

[0041] FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of a nested unit of structural units;

[0042] FIG. 12A is a top view of a still further embodiment of three structural units stacked in a set back configuration;

[0043] FIG. 12B is a top view of the three blocks of FIG. 12A stacked in a near vertical configuration; and

[0044] FIG. 12C is a top view of the three blocks of FIG. 12A stacked to form a curved wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for carrying out the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, for purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "end",

"upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral",

"longitudinal" and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings and description illustrate preferred embodiments thereof, from which the invention, various embodiments of its structures, construction and method of operation, and many advantages may be understood and appreciated.

[0046] As discussed hereinafter, the present invention is directed to a structural unit that is referred to as a "block". It should be noted that this term - "block" - encompasses any type of structural unit that can be used in building a vertical structure, including, but not limited to, a wall, a retaining wall, a foundation, a building, and/or any type of structure. Various embodiments of the block (alone and/or in combination with other blocks) are shown and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-12C.

[0047] With reference to FIGS. 1A-4C, a block 10 with positioning member 12 is shown in accordance with one preferred and non-limiting embodiment. The positioning member 12 may take a variety of shapes and forms, including, but not limited to, a rod, a pin, an elongated member, and the like. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the positioning member 12 is in the form of a positioning rod 12 (as used hereinafter), and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the positioning rod 12 is integrated with or integral to the block 10. Further, in this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the block 10 includes a body 14 having a front face 16, a rear face 18, and an opposing flat parallel top surface 20 and bottom surface 22. The top surface 20 and bottom surface 22 can have any shape, including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, or trapezoidal. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, to allow for construction of curved walls, the surfaces have a trapezoidal shape in which the front face 16 is wider than the rear face 18. The block 10 may be a molded structure formed from high density concrete of any desirable color, including, but not limited to, gray or earth tones. The front face 16 of the block body 14 may include decorative or ornamental elements and may be smooth, serrated, horizontally grooved, vertically grooved, diagonally grooved, checkerboard, embossed, and/or have an aggregate appearance. The body 14 may optionally include a cavity 24 defined as a void space in an interior portion of the body. The cavity 24 reduces the overall volume and weight of the block 10 making transportation and installation easier without detracting from the appearance of the finished wall.

[0048] The block 10 further includes a receiving hole 26 extending from the top surface 20 to the bottom surface 22 of the body 14. The receiving hole 26 may be molded directly into the block 10 or drilled into a pre-formed block. The receiving hole 26 is configured to receive a positioning rod 12 for aligning the block 10 relative to blocks 10 of the row below. As described in greater detail with respect to various preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the block 10 described hereinafter, the receiving hole 26 and corresponding positioning rod 12 can have many different shapes and sizes. For example, the receiving hole 26 could be circular or a rectangular slot and the positioning rod 12 could be rectangular. The receiving holes 26 may also be configured so that the positioning rod 12 can be inserted in varying orientations to adjust how the block 10 is positioned relative to the blocks 10 of the row below. More specifically, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the hole 26 and rod 12 are configured so that a block 10 cannot be placed directly on top of another block. In that case, the positioning rod 12 would fall tlirough the hole 26 of both blocks and would not serve the function of positioning one block 10 relative to the other. Instead, in this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the blocks 10 are staggered so that the positioning rod 12 of one block 10 passes tlirough the receiving hole 26 and contacts at least a portion of the top surface 20 of the block below.

[0049] In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the positioning rod 12 is integrally and detachably molded to the block body 14. Having the positioning rod 12 molded into the blocks upon production eliminates the need to acquire separate pins during installation of the wall. Instead, the positioning structure/arrangement is integral with the block 10 and is delivered to the construction site at the same time as the blocks 10.

[0050] As depicted, for example in FIG. 1A, the positioning rod 12 may extend from the rear face 18 of the block body 14 tlirough a breakable extension 30. The rod 12 can be separated from the body 14 by breaking the extension 30, such as by striking the extension 30 with a hammer or chisel. The breakable extension 30 may include a notch 31 or weakened portion on a portion thereof to facilitate separating the rod 12 from the body 14. It is also noted that after separation from the block body 14, a portion of the breakable extension 30 may remain connected to the separated rod 12. In that case, rather than a rectangular appearance, a cross section of the rod 12 may be substantially T-shaped. Once separated, the rod 12 can be inserted in the receiving hole 26 for the purpose of aligning the blocks 10 relative to one another. The positioning rod 12 is molded along with the rest of the block body 14 and, as a result, is formed from the same material as the rest of the body 14. As described in greater detail below with respect to exemplary preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the block 10, the rod 12 can have numerous shapes. However, in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the rod 12 is substantially cylindrical or rectangular without intricate curves or comers that could break when the rod 26 is separated from the block body 14. [0051] According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the positioning rod 12 is positioned in a recessed portion 32 of the rear face 18 of the body 14, for the purpose of protecting the positioning rod 12 during shipping. More specifically, the recessed portion 32 includes an exterior surface 34. The breakable extension 30 of the positioning rod 12 extends from the exterior surface 34 such that, in one preferred and non- limiting embodiment, exterior faces (e.g., the front, rear, top, bottom, and/or side exterior faces of the positioning rod 12) are substantially planar with or recessed with respect to one or more of the exterior faces of the block body 14, whether in a lateral or longitudinal dimension. In particular, the dimensions of at least a portion of the positioning rod 12 may be configured to prevent any part of the positioning rod 12 from extending farther than the planar faces of the block body 14. In this manner, the positioning rod 12 is protected because it does not extend past these exterior surfaces of the block body 14. In this way, it is less likely that the positioning rod 12 will be accidently impacted and/or detached from the block body 14 before the appropriate time.

[0052] With continued reference to FIG. 1A, the top surface 20 of the block body 14 includes an aligning channel 36 configured to receive the positioning rod 12 of an adjacent block from the row above. The channel 36 includes a bottom surface 38, a front surface 40, and a back surface 42. In use, the block 10 from the row above is positionable so that the positioning rod 12 contacts the front surface 40 and/or the back surface 42 of the channel 36, thereby placing the blocks 10 in a desired orientation with respect to one another.

[0053] With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the receiving hole 26 has a mushroom shaped cross-section with a semicircular portion 44 and a rectangular slot 46 extending from the diameter of the semicircle. The positioning rod 12 is a rectangular rod having two narrow faces 48 and two wide faces 50. In use, the rod 12 is inserted into the receiving hole 26 and extends from the bottom surface 22 to contact the aligning channel of an adjacent block 10 in the row below. The rod 12 can be oriented in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the diameter of the semicircle or in a transverse direction rotated 90° from the diameter of the semicircle and extending through the extended slot 46 of the receiving hole 26. When the rod 12 is in the transverse orientation, the narrow faces 48 of the positioning rod 12 contact the front surface 40 and/or back surface 42 of the channel 36 of the block 10 in the row below. In this orientation, a retaining wall having sloped or setback orientation is created in which each row of the retaining wall is set back with respect to the row below, creating a sloped appearance. In one preferred and non- limiting embodiment, the setback (typically referred to as a "batter" setback in connection with retaining walls and the like) is about 7°. For example, when using block 10 with an 8 inch height, a 1 inch setback generally attains the appropriate "batter" setback, and when using block 10 with a 6 inch height, a ¾ inch setback generally attains the appropriate "batter" setback. When the positioning rod 12 is in the longitudinal position, the block 10 can be slid forward, thus allowing the wider face 50 of the rod 12 to contact the front surface 40 of the aligning channel 36. In this orientation, the front face 16 of the block 10 is substantially planar with the front face of the blocks 10 of the row below, thereby creating a substantially vertical wall. Such a "substantially" or "near" vertical wall normally allows for a minor setback, e.g., less than about ¼ inch, so as to eliminate the possibility of negative setback or a situation where the wall leans forward.

[0054] With reference to FIGS. 2A-2D, a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the block 10 is depicted, having a cross shaped receiving hole 126 including a longitudinal slot 144 and a transverse slot 146 with a common center region 147. As was the case with the previously described embodiment, the block 10 includes a rectangular (or T-shaped) positioning rod 12 connected to the block body 14 through the breakable extension 30. In addition, prior to being separated from the block body 14, the rod 12 may be located in a cutaway portion 32 of the rear face 18. In this configuration, the wide face 50 of the rod 12 is recessed or set back from the rear and side exterior faces of the block 10, to protect the block 10 during shipping. The receiving hole 126 is adapted to receive the positioning rod 12 in either a longitudinal or transverse orientation. As was the case with the above described embodiment, when the rod 12 is inserted in the transverse orientation, a sloped wall is created, where each row is setback from the previous row. When the rod 12 is inserted to the hole 126 in the longitudinal orientation, the block 10 can be positioned to form a substantially vertical wall, where the front face 16 is substantially planar with the front face of blocks 10 in the row below.

[0055] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, a block 10 according to a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention includes circular receiving holes 226. A positioning rod 12, extending from the rear face 18 of the block 10 and connected to the block 10 by a breakable extension 30, is rectangular in shape (as discussed above). As was the case in the embodiments described above, the positioning rod 12 may also be T-shaped. The positioning rod 12 may also be positioned in a cut-away portion 32. The circular receiving hole 226 is configured to receive the positioning rod 12 in any orientation including the longitudinal and transverse orientations described above for previous embodiments. It is noted that the rod 12 could also be placed in other orientations, between the longitudinal and transverse orientations, to create a wall with a variable slope.

[0056] With reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, a block 10, according to a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, includes four small cylindrical receiving holes 326 positioned substantially equidistant from one another along a longitudinal line L extending longitudinally along the top surface 20 of the block 10. Cylindrical positioning dials 312 are affixed to the rear face 18 of the block 10 and can be separated from the block 10 by breaking the extension 30 connecting the dial 312 to the block body 14. By inserting the positioning dial 312 through two or more receiving holes 326, the block 10 is held in a desired position with respect to the blocks 10 in the row below. Also, as discussed above, the dimensions of the positioning dials 312 can be specified, such that the positioning dial 312 does not extend past the exterior surfaces of the block body 14.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 11, and in a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, two or more blocks 10 are provided as a nested unit 60. In the nested unit 60, a normal block 10 having two receiving holes 26 and two positioning rods 12 may be attached to one or more return corner blocks 62 having one receiving hole 26, one positioning rod 12, and external faces 64. The return corner block 62 may be used to build a wall having a right angle or 90° comer. One resulting advantage is that the blocks 10, 62 are easier to transport when provided as a nested unit 60. Specifically, multiple blocks 10 can be moved at one time and the possibility of breaking portions of the blocks 10 during shipping is reduced. The nested unit 62 can be split in the filed by the installer and separated by any commonly employed method, including separation with a hammer and chisel. However, in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the nested unit 60 is split by the manufacturer. It is further envisioned that the nested unit 60 can be partially or wholly separated either at the manufacturing facility or in the field.

[0058] Furthermore, one or more splitting grooves 65 can be provided or molded on or with the nested unit 60, such as on any of the exterior faces of the nested unit 60. Such splitting grooves 65 aid in the splitting process and ensure that the nested unit 60 is accurately and appropriately separated. Also, in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the nested unit 60 can be split to create a rough surface on the resulting exterior face of the block 10 (normally the face at or near the splitting groove 65). Accordingly, the nested unit 60 provides an effective manner of obtaining a "split"-look architectural face (which occurs by this splitting process after the structural unit is cured and hardened). Of course, the blocks 10 or nested units 60 (or resulting wall) could be formed having one or more decorative or aesthetic faces, which may be applied or formed during the manufacturing process. For example, one or more of the exterior faces of the nested unit 60, the block 10, and/or the resulting wall could have a smooth face, a striated face, an embossed face, a textured face, and the like.

[0059] In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a plurality of blocks 10 is assembled to form a retaining wall 410. Receiving holes 26 and positioning rods 12 of the individual blocks 10 allow for installation of blocks 10 in the desired orientation, as described above. More specifically, the retaining wall 410 may be built with a set back or substantially vertical orientation depending on how the rods 12 are inserted in the holes 26. With reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 12A, a setback or sloped wall 410 is formed by inserting the positioning rod 12 in the transverse orientation, such that the narrow faces 48 of the positioning rods 12 contact the front surface 40 and/or back surface 42 of the aligning channel 36 of the block in a row 412 below. With reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 12B, a substantially vertical wall 410 is formed when the positioning rods 12 are inserted in the receiving holes 26 in a longitudinal orientation, where the block 10 can be slid forward so that the wider front face 50 of the rod 12 contacts the front surface 40 of the aligning channel 36 in the row 412 below.

[0060] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 12C, the retaining wall 410 may also be constructed with a curved face (i.e., a substantially concave or substantially convex wall). A convex wall 410 is created by positioning two blocks 10 to form a lower row 412 such that angled sides 414 of the blocks are aligned in a face-to-face abutting relationship. A third block 10 is placed on top of the lower row 412 and positioning rods 12 are inserted in the longitudinal orientation. The block 10 is slid forward so that a positioning rod 12 contacts the front surface 40 of channel 36 of the blocks 10 of the lower row 412, thereby forming a convex wall 410.

[0061] With reference to FIG. 9, the retaining wall 410 may also be configured as a concave wall 410. The blocks 10 of the lower row 412 are situated in a concave position, such that the front faces 16 of the two blocks 10 form a "V" shape. A block 10 is placed on top of the lower row 412 and positioning rods 12 are inserted in the longitudinal orientation. The block 10 is slid toward the rear face 18 of the blocks of the row 412 below so that the wide face 50 of the positioning rod 12 contacts the back surface 42 of the aligning channel 36 of the row below 412, thereby forming a wall 410 with a concave curve.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 10, a retaining wall 410 having a return comer is depicted, wherein the comer is formed by a comer block 62 with one receiving hole 26 and one positioning rod 12. The return comer block 62 includes two external faces 64. The return comer block 62 is positioned next to normal blocks 10 with a smooth front face 16 so that blocks on the same row 412 form a continuous (i.e., substantially planar) front (i.e., exterior) surface. The rows 412 may be arranged to form a near vertical wall or set back to form a sloped wall.

[0063] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. Further, although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A structural unit comprising:

a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces;

at least one receiving arrangement provided on at least a portion of the body; and

at least one positioning member connected to the body,

wherein the at least one positioning member is separable from the body and configured for interaction with the at least one receiving arrangement.

2. The structural arrangement of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving arrangement comprises:

at least one receiving hole extending through at least a portion of the body; and

at least one aligning channel extending along an exterior surface of the body, wherein the at least one positioning member is configured for at least partial insertion into the at least one receiving hole.

3. The structural unit of claim 1, structural unit of claim 1, wherein the body and the at least one positioning member are formed from the same material.

4. The structural unit of claim 2, wherein the at least one aligning channel is configured to interact with a portion of the at least one positioning member to position at least two structural units with respect to each other.

5. The structural unit of claim 2, wherein the at least one receiving hole has a substantially cross-shaped cross section including a longitudinal slot and a transverse slot adapted to receive a substantially rectangular positioning member through one of the longitudinal slot or the transverse slot.

6. The structural unit of claim 2, wherein the at least one receiving hole has a substantially circular cross-section and wherein the at least one positioning member is a cylinder configured for insertion into the substantially circular cross-section of the at least one receiving hole.

7. The structural unit of claim 2, wherein the at least one receiving hole has a substantially mushroom-shaped cross-section including a semicircular portion and a slot portion extending from the diameter of the semicircular portion.

8. The structural unit of claim 6, wherein the at least one receiving hole is configured such that when the at least one positioning member is inserted parallel to the diameter of the semicircle, an adjacent block in a row above is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, such that a front face of the block is substantially planar with a front face of the adjacent block in the row above, and wherein when the at least one positioning member is inserted perpendicular to the diameter of the semicircular portion, the adjacent block in the row above is in a set back orientation.

9. The structural unit of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of structural units is positioned to form rows, and wherein rows of stractural units are stacked on top of one another to form a wall.

10. The structural unit of claim 9, wherein a first row is set back from a second row on which it is stacked, thereby forming a sloped wall.

11. A retaining wall block comprising:

a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces;

at least one positioning member connected to the body,

wherein the at least one positioning member is separable from the body and configured to interact with the at least one receiving arrangement and at least a portion of a second retaining wall block to position the retaining wall block relative to the second retaining wall block.

12. The retaining wall block of claim 11, wherein the body and the at least one positioning member are formed from the same material.

13. The retaining wall block of claim 11 , wherein the at least one receiving arrangement comprises:

at least one aligning channel extending along an exterior surface of the body, wherein the at least one positioning member is configured for at least partial insertion into the at least one receiving hole such that a lower portion of the at least one positioning member extends beyond a bottom surface of the body.

14. The retaining wall block of claim 13, wherein the at least one receiving hole has a substantially cross-shaped cross section including a longitudinal slot and a transverse slot adapted to receive a substantially rectangular positioning member through one of the longitudinal slot or the transverse slot.

15. The retaining wall block of claim 13, wherein the at least one receiving hole has a substantially circular cross-section and wherein the at least one positioning member is a cylinder configured for insertion into the substantially circular cross-section of the at least one receiving hole.

16. The retaining wall block of claim 13, wherein the at least one receiving hole has a substantially mushroom-shaped cross-section including a semicircular portion and a slot portion extending from the diameter of the semicircular portion.

17. The retaining wall block of claim 15, wherein the at least one receiving hole is configured such that when the at least one positioning member is inserted parallel to the diameter of the semicircle, an adjacent block in a row above is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, such that a front face of the block is substantially planar with a front face of the adjacent block in the row above, and wherein when the at least one positioning member is inserted perpendicular to the diameter of the semicircular portion, the adjacent block in the row above is in a set back orientation.

18. The retaining wall block of claim 11, wherein a plurality of retaining wall blocks is positioned to form rows, and wherein rows of retaining wall blocks are stacked on top of one another to form a wall.

19. The retaining wall block of claim 17, wherein a first row is set back from a second row on which it is stacked, thereby forming a sloped wall.

20. A nested unit comprising two or more retaining wall blocks connected to one another by at least one face, wherein at least one of the two or more blocks comprises:

a body having a plurality of exterior surfaces;

at least one positioning member connected to the body,

wherein the at least one positioning member is separable from the body and configured to interact with at least one receiving arrangement and at least a portion of an adjacent block to position the block relative to the adjacent block.