Interlocked gridwork for retaining walls, and the like

Claim 1

A gridwork structure suitable for retaining walls, and the like, comprising: A. a stringer component defining a flexible, beam-shaped cross section, and U-shaped end portions, each end portion defining lockable pivot pin means, adjacent stringers being locked together at their respective adjacent pivot pins; B. a first crossbeam component providing flexible, upper and lower sides and a connecting intermediate wall, thereby defining a hollow, U-shaped structure, and reinforcing members therebetween, the upper and lower sides defining slots for sliding, adjustable interfitting with the pivot pins of adjacent stringers; C. a second crossbeam component providing flexible, upper and lower sides and a connecting intermediate wall, thereby defining a hollow, U-shaped structure, and reinforcing members therebetween, the upper and lower sides defining holes for interfitting with the pivot pins of the stringers, the U-shaped end portions of the stringers partially enveloping an interlocking crossbeam; whereby, when the stringer and crossbeam components are assembled: i. a gridwork structure is formed defining a plurality of internal, vertically oriented crib channels which retain earth or land fill, for stabilization into discrete columns; ii. an articulating interfitting is formed between the stringers and crossbeams, thereby enabling the structure: a.) to conform to ground contours and changes thereof; b.) to be adjustable for following variations in terrain; and, c.) to elastically deform in response to changes of internal pressure caused by retained earth or land fill; and, iii. the locked adjacent stringers impart rigidity to the grid structure, and shear resistance is imparted to the stringers.

Claim 12

A method of assembling a plurality of interlocking stringer and crossbeam components to form a gridwork structure for retaining walls, and the like, the said components, comprising: A. a plastic stringer component defining a flexible, beam-shaped cross section, and U-shaped end portions, each end portion defining lockable pivot pin means, adjacent stringers being locked together at their respective adjacent pivot pins; B. a first plastic crossbeam component providing flexible, upper and lower sides and a connecting intermediate wall, thereby defining a hollow, U-shaped structure, and reinforcing members therebetween, the upper and lower sides defining slots for sliding, adjustable interfitting with the pivot pins of adjacent stringers; and, C. a second plastic crossbeam component providing flexible, upper and lower sides and a connecting intermediate wall, thereby defining a hollow, U-shaped structure, and reinforcing members therebetween, the upper and lower sides defining holes for interfitting with the pivot pins of the stringers, the U-shaped end portions of the stringers partially enveloping an interlocking crossbeam; the method comprising, assembling the stringer and crossbeam components, thereby: i. forming a gridwork structure defining a plurality of internal, vertically oriented crib channels which retain earth or land fill, for stabilization into discrete columns; ii. forming an articulating interfitting between the stringers and crossbeams, thereby enabling the structure: a.) to conform to ground contours and changes thereof; b.) to be adjustable for following variations in terrain; and, c.) to elastically deform in response to changes of internal pressure caused by retained earth or land fill; and, iii. locking adjacent stringers, thereby imparting rigidity to the grid structure, and imparting shear resistance to the stringers.

Claim 13

A method of assembling a plurality of interlocking stringer and crossbeam components to form a gridwork structure for retaining walls, and the like, the said components, comprising: A. a plastic stringer component defining a flexible, beam-shaped cross section, and U-shaped end portions, each end portion defining lockable pivot pin means, adjacent stringers being locked together at their respective adjacent pivot pins; B. a first plastic crossbeam component providing flexible, upper and lower sides and a connecting intermediate wall, thereby defining a hollow, U-shaped structure, and reinforcing members therebetween, the upper and lower sides defining slots for sliding, adjustable interfitting with the pivot pins of adjacent stringers; and, C. a second plastic crossbeam component providing flexible, upper and lower sides and a connecting intermediate wall, thereby defining a hollow, U-shaped structure, and reinforcing members therebetween, the upper and lower sides defining holes for interfitting with the pivot pins of the stringers, the U-shaped end portions of the stringers partially enveloping an interlocking crossbeam; the method comprising, assembling the stringer and crossbeam components, thereby: i. forming a gridwork structure defining a plurality of internal, vertically oriented crib channels which retain earth or land fill, for stabilization into discrete columns; ii. forming an articulating interfitting between the stringers and crossbeams, thereby enabling the structure: a.) to conform to ground contours and changes thereof; b.) to be adjustable for following variations in terrain; and, c.) to elastically deform in response to changes of internal pressure caused by retained earth or land fill; and, iii. locking adjacent stringers, thereby imparting rigidity to the grid structure, and imparting shear resistance to the stringers.