# US 2021/0340718 A1 · Connector for soil reinforcing and method of manufacturing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0340718 A1 - Document ID: US20210340718A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/238,712 - Filed: 2021-04-23 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-23 - Assignees: The Taylor IP Group LLC - Applicants: The Taylor IP Group - Inventors: Thomas P. Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210340718A1 ## CPC - E02D 29/0233: {the retention means being anchors (details of anchors E02D5/80)} - E02D 2250/00: Production methods - E02D 2300/0006: Plastics - E02D 2300/0034: in wire form - E02D 2600/30: comprising anchoring details - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} ## Abstract An apparatus, system and method of connecting an earthen formation to a facing of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure in which a connector includes a single piece of wire that defines an opening for coupling the connector to an anchor and a pair parallel legs for mechanically connecting the to a soil reinforcing element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connection element for a mechanically stabilized earth structure including a first longitudinal wire having a first proximal end and a second longitudinal wire having a second proximal end, the connection element comprising: a pair of legs that are biased apart from one another, each of the pair of legs configured to be coupled to respective ones of the first proximal end of the first longitudinal wire and the second proximal end of the second longitudinal wire, the pair of legs being biased apart from one another; and a fastener receptacle from which each of the pair of legs extends. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connection element of claim 1, wherein: the connection element has a unitary construction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connection element of claim 2, wherein: the connection element is formed from a single length of wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connection element of claim 3, wherein the single length of wire defines a cross-section that is round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connection element of claim 1, wherein: the pair of legs includes a first leg and a second leg, the first leg including a first elongated longitudinally extending section, the second leg including a second elongated longitudinally extending section, the first elongated longitudinally extending section being substantially parallel to the second elongated longitudinally extending section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connection element of claim 1, wherein the pair of legs include: a first leg includes a second section that orthogonally extends from a distal end of the first section; and a second leg includes a second section that orthogonally extends from a distal end of the second section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The connection element of claim 3, wherein: the single length of wire is bent a number of degrees about an axis extending orthogonally relative to a lengthwise axis of the single piece of wire to form a coiled section that defines the fastener receptacle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connection element of claim 7, wherein: the number of degrees equals 180 degrees. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The connection element of claim 7, wherein: the number of degrees equals 270 degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The connection element of claim 7, wherein: the number of degrees equals 540 degrees. ### Claim 11 A system for securing a facing of an earthen formation, comprising: a mechanically stabilized earth structure including a first longitudinal wire having a first proximal end and a second longitudinal wire having a second proximal end; a connection element for the mechanically stabilized earth structure, the connection element comprising: a pair of legs that are biased apart from one another, each of the pair of legs configured to be coupled to respective ones of the first proximal end of the first longitudinal wire and the second proximal end of the second longitudinal wire, the pair of legs being biased apart from one another; and a fastener receptacle from which each of the pair of legs extends. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein: the connection element has a unitary construction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein: the connection element is formed from a single length of wire. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the single length of wire defines a cross-section that is round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein: the pair of legs include a first leg and a second leg, the first leg including a first elongated longitudinally extending section, the second leg including a second elongated longitudinally extending section, the first elongated longitudinally extending section being parallel to the second elongated longitudinally extending section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein: the first leg includes a second section that orthogonally extends from a distal end of the first section; and the second leg includes a second section that orthogonally extends from a distal end of the second section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein: the single length of wire is bent a number of degrees about an axis extending orthogonally relative to a lengthwise axis of the single piece of wire to form a coiled section that defines the fastener receptacle. ### Claim 18 A method of manufacturing a soil reinforcing connection element assembly, comprising: bending a connection element consisting of a single wire into a configuration with a central opening and two legs at the distal ends that are substantially parallel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing a soil reinforcing element with a including at least two longitudinal members and cross members; and mechanically joining the connection element distal ends to proximal ends of the two longitudinal members of the soil reinforcing element. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein: the mechanical joining including securing the connection element to the soil reinforcing element via a nut and bolt connection.