System for constructing a retaining wall

A system for constructing a retaining wall, comprising a plurality of blocks, wherein each said block has:

• a) laterally opposed first and second end portions,
• b) a central portion, and
• c) a neck portion, the central portion being positioned between the first end portion and the neck portion, and the neck portion being positioned between the second end portion and the central portion,
• wherein the central portion having a longitudinal length less than a longitudinal length of the first end portion, the second end portion having a longitudinal length less than the longitudinal length of the central portion, and the neck portion having a longitudinal length less than the longitudinal length of the second end portion, a vertically extending passage being formed through the central and neck portions,
• d) vertically opposed upper and lower surfaces, a plurality of upper recesses being formed in the upper surface, and a plurality of lower recesses being formed in the lower surface, and
• e) a pair of longitudinally opposed, vertically extending recesses defined by the central portion, neck portion and second end portion thereof, wherein each of the vertically extending recesses has an upper portion, a lower portion and a central portion, the central portion having a lateral length less than a lateral length of the upper portion, and the lower portion having a lateral length less than the lateral length of the central portion;
• a plurality of tie connectors, wherein each tie connector consists of:
• i) a main body portion having laterally opposed first and second ends:
• ii) a rod having laterally opposed first and second ends, the second end of the rod being secured to the first end of the main body portion, the rod extending laterally from the main body portion;
• and
• iii) a pair of longitudinally opposed, L-shaped legs secured to the second end of the main body portion and extending laterally therefrom, whereby the pair of longitudinally opposed, L-shaped legs are dimensioned and configured to fit about the second end of the main body portion and to slidably engage the pair of longitudinally opposed, vertically extending recesses of each block.