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US 5,671,584 AGranted
Method and apparatus for constructing a retaining wall
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorJohn F. Mueller
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorJohn F. Mueller
Estimating the term…
A retaining wall for remote environments such as wilderness trails utilizes an "H-beam" post member having first and second elongate, vertical plates joined in a spaced, generally parallel relationship by first and second vertical brace portions, so that the cross-section of the resultant construction yields a central cavity between a pair of open web or channel portions. For installation, a stake member (e.g., a segment of rebar or similar material) is driven into the ground, and the central cavity of the H-beam post is placed over the rebar, so that the rebar engages the central cavity and supports the H-beam post. Additional H-beam posts are installed at spaced intervals along the line of the intended retaining wall. Boards, planks or other elongate, sectional materials are inserted into the open webs between adjacent H-beam posts, and are successively stacked to create a wall. Anchors are installed from the H-beam post into the soil or rock for stability. Finally, a cap can be placed on the boards. If a rail is desired, rail posts can be installed into the upper portion of the central cavity of the H-beam post, and rails (e.g., chain) can be extended between rail posts.
A retaining wall apparatus comprising:
A method of constructing a retaining wall, said method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.
Using prefabricated panel-like elements, e.g. wired frames: using panels fitted in grooves of posts
Independent underground or underwater structures ; Retaining walls: retaining or protecting walls
Retaining or protecting walls: comprising retention means in the backfill
Fences: metal post
Term ended 28 Aug 2016 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to construction techniques and hardware, and more specifically to an improved retaining wall structure, and method for its installation, particularly in remote environments.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an H-beam post of the retaining wall apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an H-beam post of the retaining wall apparatus of this invention;
FIGS. 3A-3D are a series of views of the retaining wall apparatus of this invention being installed in a soil environment; and
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an H-beam post 10 of the retaining wall apparatus of this invention. Apertures 12 enable attachment to anchors, as described. H-beam post 10 can be constructed of steel, corten, stainless steel, aluminum or any others suitable material. Typical lengths may be from four feet to twenty feet.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an H-beam post 10 of the retaining wall apparatus of this invention. H-beam post 10 includes first and second elongate, vertical plates 14, 16 joined in a spaced, generally parallel relationship by first and second vertical brace portions 18, 20, thereby defining a central cavity 22 between a pair of open web or channel portions 24, 26. Typical dimensions of this "H" (or possibly more accurately, "double H") may be six, eight, ten or twelve inches wide, two, four, six or eight inches thick (the space between the parallel vertical plates), and made of material of one-eighth to one-half inch thickness.
FIGS. 3A-3D are a series of views of the retaining wall apparatus of this invention being installed in a soil environment. FIG. 3A is a front elevation view illustrating an H-beam post 10 driven and placed over a segment of rebar 30, which has been driven into the ground G. FIG. 3B is a front elevation view illustrating a pair of adjacent of H-beam posts 10 thus installed, with a board 32 placed into opposing webs 26, 24 of the adjacent H-beam posts. FIG. 3C is a side elevation view illustrating a pair of earth anchors 34 installed into the soil and extending to apertures 12 in H-beam post 10. FIG. 3D is a front elevation view of a completed retaining wall, with a series of stacked boards 32 forming the wall itself, cap 36 placed upon the stacked boards and secured to adjacent H-beam posts 10, and rail posts 38 inserted into the upper portions of central cavity 22 of adjacent H-beam posts 10, with chain 40 extending between adjacent rail posts 38 to form a rail.