# US 9,775,304 B2 · Modular cell and matrix for supporting a load bearing feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,775,304 B2 - Document ID: US9775304B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/056,626 - Filed: 2016-02-29 - Published: 2016-08-25 - Granted: 2017-10-03 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-04 - Assignees: Strata Innovations Pty Limited - Applicants: Strata Innovations Pty Limited - Inventors: Benjamin Douglas Gooden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9775304B2 ## CPC - A01G 13/27: protecting specific parts of plants, e.g. roots, trunks or fruits - A01G 27/006: {Reservoirs, separate from plant-pots, dispensing directly into rooting medium} - E01C 3/006: {made of prefabricated single units (E01C3/06 takes precedence)} - E01C 5/001: {on prefabricated supporting structures or prefabricated foundation elements except coverings made of layers of similar elements} - E01C 9/005: {Coverings around trees forming part of the road (protecting plants in general A01G13/00)} - E01C 23/00: Auxiliary devices or arrangements for constructing, repairing, reconditioning, or taking-up road or like surfaces (apparatus for reconditioning of salvaged non-hydraulic compositions {for- in plant recycling of salvaged bituminous mixtures} E01C19/10) - E01C 2201/00: Paving elements - E01C 2201/20: Drainage details - E01C 2201/207: channels on the bottom - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) ## Abstract A modular cell that may be used with other cells to form a matrix under a load bearing feature, the cell being a single piece molding that supports a compressive load placed thereon, the molding including a void space defined within: a skirt shaped support member defining a substantially planar surface with an opening therein; and at least one leg integral to and extending from the support member. The cell further includes at least one separate linking member that releasably links together multiple cells to form a matrix of cells. The cells may be linked together vertically and/or horizontally. The cell and matrix include greater load bearing capacity and rigidity through aligned legs to carry the weight as well as interlinking members that act to share the load among the various cells. The design also requires less material hence is cheaper to produce. The void space is also easily accessed hence allowing for easy access, filling and laying of utility lines where needed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural matrix that supports a hardscape placed therein and which has a void space within to retain soil and/or water, the matrix formed by: a plurality of structural cells, each cell having a top and legs extending from the top, the cells arranged in a horizontal plane and releasably linked together by separate elongated linking members, the elongated linking members being a predetermined length thereby defining a distance of separation between the cells and a lateral space between the cells that forms a portion of the void space; the distance of separation is selected such that a distance between legs at two corners of one structural cell is substantially equal to a distance between legs at corners of two adjacent structural cells. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined length of each elongated linking member is equivalent to between 20 to 150% of a cell width. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein each structural cell includes a horizontal mating section that releasably engages a first end of the elongated linking member and wherein an opposing second end of the elongated linking member engages a horizontal mating section of an adjacent structural cell thereby linking the cells horizontally. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The matrix as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first end and the second end of the elongated linking members terminate with tabs that complement and fit into the shape of at least one horizontal mating section of a structured cell. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The matrix as claimed in claim 4 wherein each at least one horizontal mating section has a socket shape that receives and fixably retains the tabs of the elongated linking members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cell has at least two horizontal mating sections releasably engaging elongated linking members wherein the mating sections are located at two engagement points, configured at substantially right angles to each other. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top of each structural cell defines the horizontal plane, the top further including an opening therein. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The matrix as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the elongated linking members further define the horizontal plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The matrix as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least some of the elongated linking members are sloped with respect to the horizontal plane. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of structural cells are linked together via the elongated linking members toolessly and without the need to use other fasteners. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compression strength of each structural cell is greater than at least 200 kPa. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The matrix as claimed in claim 11 wherein the compression strength of the matrix is greater than the compression strength of each structural cell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the void space is at least approximately 80% of the matrix. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the legs of each structural cell are at least partially tapered to narrow as each leg extends from the top. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The matrix as claimed in claim 14 wherein each leg has a hollow portion thus allowing a plurality of cells to be nested during transport. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 including a grating or gratings positioned in each cell. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of base members adapted for placement between each cell and a substrate on which each cell is placed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The matrix as claimed in claim 17 wherein each base member is formed as a single piece skirt shaped member with a central opening and wherein each leg of each cell links with an enlarged section of each base member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined length of each elongated linking member is equivalent to between 80 to 120% of a cell width. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined length of each elongated linking member is equivalent to between 90 to 110% of a cell width. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined length of each elongated member is equivalent to 100% of a cell width. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The matrix as claimed in claim 1 wherein the compression strength of each structural cell is greater than at least 300 kPa. ### Claim 23 A structural matrix that supports a hardscape placed therein and which has a void space within to retain soil and/or water, the matrix formed by: a plurality of structural cells, each cell having a top and legs extending from the top, the cells arranged in a horizontal plane and releasably linked together by separate elongated linking members, the elongated linking members being a predetermined length thereby defining a distance of separation between the cells and a lateral space between the cells that forms a portion of the void space; a plurality of base members adapted for placement between each cell and a substrate on which each cell is placed; each base member is formed as a single piece skirt shaped member with a central opening and wherein each leg of each cell links with an enlarged section of each base member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the distance of separation is selected such that a distance between legs at two corners of one structural cell is substantially equal to a distance between legs at corners of two adjacent structural cells. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the predetermined length of each elongated linking member is equivalent to between 20 to 150% of a cell width. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein each structural cell includes a horizontal mating section that releasably engages a first end of the elongated linking member and wherein an opposing second end of the elongated linking member engages a horizontal mating section of an adjacent structural cell thereby linking the cells horizontally. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The matrix as claimed in claim 26 wherein the first end and the second end of the elongated linking members terminate with tabs that complement and fit into the shape of at least one horizontal mating section of a structured cell. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The matrix as claimed in claim 27 wherein each at least one horizontal mating section has a socket shape that receives and fixably retains the tabs of the elongated linking members. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein each cell has at least two horizontal mating sections releasably engaging elongated linking members wherein the mating sections are located at two engagement points, configured at substantially right angles to each other. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the top of each structural cell defines the horizontal plane, the top further including an opening therein. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The matrix as claimed in claim 30 wherein, the elongated linking members further define the horizontal plane. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The matrix as claimed in claim 30 wherein at least some of the elongated linking members are sloped with respect to the horizontal plane. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the plurality of structural cells are linked together via the elongated linking members toolessly and without the need to use other fasteners. ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the compression strength of each structural cell is greater than at least 200 kPa. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The matrix as claimed in claim 34 wherein the compression strength of the matrix is greater than the compression strength of each structural cell. ### Claim 36 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the void space is at least approximately 80% of the matrix. ### Claim 37 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 wherein the legs of each structural cell are at least partially tapered to narrow as each leg extends from the top. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The matrix as claimed in claim 37 wherein each leg has a hollow portion thus allowing a plurality of cells to be nested during transport. ### Claim 39 (depends on 23) The matrix as claimed in claim 23 including a grating or gratings positioned in each cell.