Retaining Wall Structure

The present invention relates generally to structures for supporting an underlying mass such as an earthen embankment or the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved construction for panel members and anchors used in forming retaining walls for such underlying masses. In even greater particularity, the present invention may be described as a panel and anchor structure wherein said anchor is engagable within a preformed channel within said panel.

Retaining wall structures utilizing a plurality of individual panels are well known. Conventionally, such panels are connected to the underlying mass by means of tiebacks which generally take the form of straps of various material such as metals, glass or polymers or of a webbed sheet of similar materials. Regardless of whether the strap or web type tieback is used, a portion of the tieback is embedded in the panel material when the panel is formed. Thus, either the entire tieback or a stub of tieback material forms a permanent protrusion from the rear of the panel. If a stub is retained, a longer tieback for anchoring is affixed thereto by bolting or weaving. Regardless of whether a full tieback or a stub is utilized, the protruding tieback material is a substantial hindrance in the storage and transportation of the manufactured panel prior to installation of the retaining structure. Further, the permanently affixed tieback material may be damaged in transport or handling, thereby rendering the entire panel member unusable. From the foregoing, it may be seen that the conventional panel and anchor structure leaves something to be desired in terms of efficiency, economy and utility.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a retaining wall structure which facilitates storage, handling and transportation of the component panels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retaining wall structure which reduces the number of unusable panel members.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a retaining wall structure, wherein the tieback may be easily secured to the panel at the installation site.

My invention achieves these objects through an advantageous new construction wherein each panel has formed therein during its fabrication a plurality of voids or channels which communicate with one face of the panel through a narrow slit. Each tieback is formed with an enlarged end portion which can be received within the channel but which has a thickness greater than the transverse width of the slit and thus cannot pass through the slit. The enlarged portion is inserted into the channel from one end thereof with the tieback extending through the slit for use as an anchor.

In a second embodiment, the slit is formed with a transverse width slightly greater than the thickness of the enlarged portion of the tieback such that the enlarged portion may be inserted into the channel through the slit or from one end as above. An interference rod is provided for insertion into the channel with the tieback in place. The interference rod reduces the effective width of the slit and thus prevents withdrawal of the tieback therethrough. In either embodiment, a cementitious or binding material may be used in the void to further adhere the tieback to the panel.

A construction embodying features of my invention is depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this application and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing part of a retaining wall built with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel and tieback combination illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation showing a tieback retained in a panel channel in one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation showing a tieback retained in a panel channel by an interference rod in a second embodiment of my invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the panel, tieback, and retaining rod combination of the second embodiment of my invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, it may be seen that a retaining wall, shown generally at 10, is made up of a plurality of panels 11, which may be of any suitable geometric shape and which are depicted herein as rectangular. Each panel 11 has associated therewith a plurality of tiebacks 12, which anchor the retaining wall to the underlying mass 13, such as an earthen embankment. The tiebacks 12 are made of various materials such as metal, glass, polymer or the like with each material having characteristics which make it most suitable for a particular application, as is well known. Also tiebacks may be in the form of a web-like material as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 or may be strap-like members, as are well known.

Each panel 11 requires a certain number of tiebacks to be positioned in appropriate areas. The positioning of the tieback is not material to the instant invention, thus the Figures are merely illustrative of the connection of the tieback 12 to the panel.

Each panel 11 has formed at least one channel 14, extending therethrough and opening to at least one side 16 of the panel 11. An elongated slit 17 is cooperatively formed with each channel 16 and opens along the width of one face 18 of the panel 11. The slit 17 is appreciably smaller in width than is the associated channel 14. It is to be understood that the panels 11 can be made from any material suited for the intended usage, including but not limited to wood, polymer, concrete, or metal. The panels 11 may be made in castings, whereupon the channels 14 and slits 17 are readily formed through the use of appropriately shaped and displaced mold elements.

Referring to FIG. 3, it may be seen that each tieback 12 has formed on one end, or along one side thereof, an enlarged portion 19 which can be confined within channel 14. In this embodiment, the slit 17 is restricted such that its transverse dimension is less than the thickness of the enlarged portion 19, thus the enlarged portion 19 can only be inserted into the channel or removed therefrom by axial movement in the channel 14. The tiebacks 12 are held against movement through the slit 17 by mechanical interference of the enlarged portion 19 and the restricted slit 17 which is formed intermediate a pair of interior walls 21 which define a bearing surface against which the enlarged portion 19 abuts.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slit 17 is slightly wider than the thickness of the enlarged portion 19 such that the enlarged portion 19 can pass through the slit 17. To prevent withdrawal of the tieback 12 from the panel, an interference rod 23 is inserted into the channel 14 after the tieback 12 is positioned therein. The interference rod 23 must be of such a configuration as to cooperate with the interior walls 21 to effectively reduce the width of the slit 17 or to form a restricted passageway such that the enlarged portion 19 cannot be withdrawn through the slit 17. The tieback 12 may be preformed in a shape similar to that shown in FIG. 4 as needed, depending on the material selected for use as a tieback. It is also to be understood that the channels 14 may be of any suitable shape which will accommodate the enlarged portion 19 and provide for interference retention of the tieback 12 therein. In either embodiment, a cementitious or binding material 24 may be used within the channel to adhere the tieback to the panel.

It may be seen from the above that the present invention allows the production of panel members which can be readily stacked for transportation or storage without having to make allowance for extending tieback stubs. Also damage to such stubs or to personnel or property by such stubs is eliminated. The tiebacks 12 can be as easily and readily affixed to the panel as can conventional tiebacks, thus the present invention provides a substantially more efficient retaining wall construction.

While I have shown my invention in two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.