Retaining wall block and drainage system

Claim 2

A retaining-wall block comprising: a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight; a second cavity defined by the set of liquid impervious walls and adjacent the first cavity, the second cavity separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening of the first cavity; characterized in that the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 3

The block of claim 1 formed of polymer material by injection molding.

Claim 4

The block of claim 2 having a curved front simulating a stone material or concrete.

Claim 5

The block of claim 1 having engagement elements for engaging adjacent blocks in an assembly to limit movement between the adjacent blocks.

Claim 6

A retaining-wall block comprising; a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight; a second cavity defined by the set of liquid impervious walls and adjacent the first cavity, the second cavity separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening of the first cavity; characterized in that the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 7

A retaining-wall block comprising; a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable opening for filling the cavity with a fill material to add weight; a second cavity defined by the set of liquid impervious walls and adjacent the first cavity, the second cavity separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; and a seal element for sealing the sealable opening of the first cavity; characterized in that the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 8

The block of claim 5 formed of polymer material by injection molding.

Claim 9

The block of claim 5 wherein the through-openings include openings on an upper surface to accept liquid from a second block above in an assembly of blocks, openings in a rearward-facing surface to accept liquid from a drain field, and openings in a lower surface for passing liquids to a third block below in an assembly of blocks.

Claim 10

The block of claim 5 further comprising an engagement interface for engaging a drain grid comprising both a mesh material and conduits for liquid, wherein individual ones of the through-openings are positioned to engage individual ones of the conduits.

Claim 11

The block of claim 5 wherein the through-openings include openings on an upper surface to accept liquid from a second block above in an assembly of blocks, openings in a rearward-facing surface to accept liquid from a drain field, at least one opening in a first side to accept liquid from an adjacent block in the assembly of blocks, and at least one opening in a second side opposite the first side to pass collected liquid to an adjacent block in the assembly.

Claim 12

A retaining wall assembly of blocks comprising; a plurality of individual hollow blocks, individual ones of said blocks comprising a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable fill opening for filling the first cavity with a fill material to add weight; and a second cavity in the individual ones of the blocks adjacent the first cavity, defined by the liquid-impervious walls and separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; wherein the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 13

A retaining wall assembly of blocks comprising; a plurality of individual hollow blocks, individual ones of said blocks comprising a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable fill opening for filling the first cavity with a fill material to add weight; and a second cavity in the individual ones of the blocks adjacent the first cavity, defined by the liquid-impervious walls and separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; wherein the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 14

The assembly of claim 10 wherein individual ones of the blocks in the assembly are formed of polymer material by injection molding.

Claim 15

The assembly of claim 10 wherein individual blocks have engagement elements used for engaging adjacent blocks in the assembly to limit movement between the adjacent blocks.

Claim 16

A retaining wall assembly of blocks comprising; a plurality of individual hollow blocks, individual ones of said blocks comprising a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable fill opening for filling the first cavity with a fill material to add weight; and a second cavity adjacent the first cavity, defined by the liquid-impervious walls and separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; characterized in that, in individual ones of the blocks, the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 17

A retaining wall assembly of blocks comprising; a plurality of individual hollow blocks, individual ones of said blocks comprising a set of liquid impervious walls defining a completely bounded first cavity having a sealable fill opening for filling the first cavity with a fill material to add weight; and a second cavity adjacent the first cavity, defined by the liquid-impervious walls and separated from the first cavity by at least one of the liquid-impervious walls; characterized in that, in individual ones of the blocks, the second cavity comprises through-openings to the outside of the block for accepting drainage liquids, and for passing said liquids out of said second cavity.

Claim 18

The assembly of claim 13 wherein individual ones of the blocks are formed of polymer material by injection molding.

Claim 19

The assembly of claim 13 wherein, in individual blocks, the through-openings include openings on an upper surface to accept liquid from a second block above in an assembly of blocks, openings in a rearward-facing surface to accept liquid from a drain field, and openings in a lower surface for passing liquids to a third block below in an assembly of blocks.

Claim 20

The assembly of claim 13 wherein, on individual ones of the blocks, there is an engagement interface for engaging a drain grid comprising both a mesh material and conduits for liquid, wherein individual ones of the through-openings are positioned to engage individual ones of the conduits.

Claim 21

The assembly of claim 13 wherein, in individual ones of the blocks, the through-openings include openings on an upper surface to accept liquid from a second block above in the assembly of blocks, openings in a rearward-facing surface to accept liquid from a drain field, at least one opening in a first side to accept liquid from an adjacent block in the assembly of blocks, and at least one opening in a second side opposite the first side to pass collected liquid to an adjacent block in the assembly.