Crib block and structure
United States Patent [191 ONeill et al.  
 [451 Apr. 15, 1975 CRIB BLOCK AND STRUCTURE [76] Inventors: Raymond J. ONeill, l1 Chippewa Rd., Yonkers, N.Y.; George David Newell, 119 Helene Rd., Valley Cottage, NY. 10989 [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 403,776  
 2,736,188 2/1956 Wilhelm t 52/606 X 3,382.632 5/1968 Grofcsik r 52/606 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 255,912 11/1927 ltaly 52/606 Primary ExaminerJacob Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel .l. Lo&#39;bato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT Integral structural unit constituting a block for constructing concrete crib retaining walls and the like of open and closed face construction. Each structural unit comprises two parallel end panels made of concrete and joined by a connecting arm integral therewith of massive proportions holding the panels in spaced fixed relationship. The structural units are provided with interlocking surfaces constituting a running lip on each lower edge of each panel or an interlock formed by the connecting arm itself for locking the panels in stacked relationship forming double walled structures. The panelsconnecting arms have a generally trapezoidal .cross-section that coacts with fill in the bin or space formed between the panels of the structural units or blocks. These blocks may be employed for building straight structures or tank-like structures with straight walls or curved walls.  
 10 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRI SIBYS STONE FILL HIGHEST HIGH WATER LEVEL MEAN WATER LEVEL SCOUR PAD POLYHLTER X PATENTEBAPR 1 5191s FIG. /9  
 sntusp g FIG. 20 TITEY ETTT STORAGE TANK ET EZJLM FIG. 22  
 CRIB BLOCK AND STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to concrete crib retaining walls and similar structures and more particularly to cribbing units or blocks for constructing different types of walls and other structures.  
  Various types of concrete crib retaining walls have been developed. These walls must resist the same forces as gravity and cantilever retaining walls. The stability against sliding depends upon anchorage and the method of anchorage gives rise to various variations in construction.  
  There are generally two types of anchorage of headers used in these walls, namely, the fishtaiF and the continuous back wall. Generally, the anchorage is not integral with the other parts of structural units for these walls and articulation is accomplished usually with dowels or concrete lugs.  
  Curved walls up to about 20 can be built without special units. However, the building of curved walls requires special units.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved concrete crib retaining wall structural unit or block for building retaining walls and other structures.  
  Another object of the present invention is to provide a single piece unit or block which is reversible which can be used for-constructing open and closed face walls and different types of facings.  
  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of construction of the new blocks so that the form for manufacturing the blocks can be easily varied with respect to certain structural features of the block and the same form used for constructing the different blocks.  
  Another feature of the present invention is the construction of the blocks with elements thereof having a configuration that maintains a low center of gravity and these elements are tapered and cooperate with the fill within the bin formed by the blocks to wedge them in place.  
  Still another feature of the present invention is the provision of a structural unit which can be varied in configuration for making straight double-wall structures or those having curvature including completely circular or tank-like structures.  
  The structural unit according to the invention is for use in the construction of crib retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship. Each unit is constructed as a single piece or integral unit comprising two rigid laterally spaced side panels disposed extending axially parallel to each other. A massive rigid connecting arm is disposed extending between the opposed inner surfaces of the side panels and integral therewith, holding the two side panels in relative fixed positions.  
  The units are provided with interlocking elements constructed either as a running underside lip on each of the side panels or a lip r shoulderprovided by the connecting arm. The side panels and the connecting arm have a generally trapezoidal cross-section.  
  The structures constructed by the units according to the invention comprise a plurality of superposed structural units or blocks with the blocks laid in courses or tiers. A lip of each panel overlies the upper inner marginal surface of a lower unit immediately underlying it thereby interlocking the structural units. The units disposed end-on-end to form either straight or arcuate double-walled structures.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the single piece structural unit or block and the structures formed therewith according to the invention, will be apparent from the disclosure and appended claims and drawings in which;  
  FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wall structure constructed with structural units or blocks according to the invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a plan view of a block according to the invention;  
  FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the block in FIG.  
  FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of blocks according to the invention illustrating a marine structure;  
  FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4;  
  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a form for constructing the structural blocks of the type illustrated in FIG.  
  FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a single-piece structural unit according to the invention;  
  FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 7;  
  FIG. 9 is a section view of a retaining wall structure constructed according to the invention;  
  FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of a structure constructed with structural units according to the invention and illustrates the units used for constructing a corner;  
  FIG. 11 is&#39;a plan view of a block according to the invention for use in constructing a corner of structures according to&#39;the invention;  
  FIG. 12 is &#39;anend view of the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 11;  
  FIG. 13 is an end elevation view of the structural unit illustrated in FIG. 11;  
  FIG. 14 is a plan view of a third embodiment of single-piece structural units according to the invention and illustrates their assembly thereof;  
  FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the units and structure illustrated in FIG. 14;  
  FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of a structure constructed with a fourth embodiment of structural units according to the invention;  
  FIG. 17 is a plan view of the structural units illustrated in constructing the structure in FIG. 16;  
  FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the structural unit in FIG. 17;  
  FIG. 19 is a fragmentary plan view of a double-walled circular structure constructed with embodiments of the single-piece structural unit according to the invention;  
  FIG. 20 is a plan view of a rectangular structure according to the invention;  
  FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of a structural unit according to the invention;  
  FIG. 22 is a front elevation view of a structure constructed with structural units of a type illustrated in FIG. 21;  
  FIG. 23 is an underside plan view of the structural unit illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22;  
  FIG. 24 is a section view taken along section line 2424 in FIG. 23;  
  FIG. 25 is a perspective view of structural units and a structure constructed therewith on a miniature scale according to the invention;  
  FIG. 26 is an end elevation view of the units and structure illustrated in FIG. 25.  
 PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION While the structural units or blocks according to the invention will be illustrated hereinafter with respect to concrete crib retaining walls and other structures, it will be understood that the application of the blocks is not limited to the structures illustrated. Thus, the individual structural units can be used as forms for pouring in concrete or asphalt applications. They can be used for making different types of retaining walls, dams, cutoff walls, levees, dikes, dividers, sea walls, bridge abutments, underwater forms for concrete pier construction, pipeline supports and as drainage basins placed below grade permitting percolation of water to take place through the walls between the units into the surrounding earth. Moreover, individual units can be used in decorative applications such as planters in which flowers or trees may be planted within the bin formed by one or several of the units hereinafter described.  
  As illustrated in the drawing, individual blocks or structural units 10 according to the invention comprise a front panel 11 and a rear panel 12 made of reinforced concrete. The two panels are disposed extending axially parallel and are held rigidly in fixed relative positions by a massive connecting arm 13 made of reinforced concrete and connecting the two parallel panels along their opposed inner surfaces as illustrated in the drawing. In the illustrated panel, the from panel 11 has a facing surface 14 which has been molded with decorative surfacing thereon. It is understood, however, that the panels may both have decorative facing surfaces or may not so that the blocks may be reversed in position in the event that one facing surface of one of the panels is better than the other. In the structures to be illustrated and described, it will be seen that the rear panel 12 functions as an anchorage which is integral with the front panel 11.  
  The two panels of each of the structural units are provided with respective running axial lips 12a. The individual lips 11a, 12a, extend axially of the corresponding panel and are actually a downwardly extending extension of the inner opposed surfaces of the two parallel panels. The massive connecting arm 13 has a lower edge 13a flush with the lower surfaces of the lips or projections on the two panels.  
  The structures constructed with the single-piece structural units 10 are constructed by superposing the structural units in overlying courses or tiers as illustrated in FIG. 1. The overlying structural units 10 overlying a course of units are disposed staggered with respect to the underlying units. The structural units may be disposed with spaces 16 between the units. The next overlying course of units have a staggered position and overlie the spaces so that the spaces between panels are likewise in staggered relationship. These spaces 16 may form weep holes in a wall. The anchorage or back panels 12 of the structural units are disposed in end-to-end relationship with spaces 17 therebetween. In the event that a small fill is to be used in filling the bins or space formed between the panels of the individual elements a piece of plastic 18 may be placed around the adjoining panels 12 of adjacent units to prevent any seepage of the fill. Of course, the size of the spaces 16, 17 can be any desired width according to the fill used and the conditions in which the wall is used. It will be understood that in the event that a wall structure is to be con structed without weep holes or spaces 16, 17 the adjoining panels of the adjoining structural units can be placed abutting each other and may be sealed with epoxy or some other sealant to form closed wall structures Structures are interlocked and kept from shifting outwardly relative to each other by the lips 11a, 12a of the side panels 11, 12. The front side and back side panels 11, 12 have flat underside surfaces 11b, 12b that overlie and rest on the upper surfaces 110, 12: of the underlying structural unit. The lips 11a, 12a extend downwardly along the marginal portions of the upper end of the inner opposed surfaces of the two panels and preclude a shift of the structural units in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the arm 13. Thus, the lips 11a, 120 function as interlocks for the units.  
  The side panels ll, 12 and the connecting arm 13 each have a generally trapezoidal cross-section. These elements are tapered and diverge downwardly so that the center of gravity of each structural unit is accordingly lower than it would be if the elements had a generally rectangular configuration. Furthermore, the trapezoidal configuration assists in improving the stability of a structure constructed with the structural units 10. As indicated heretofor, the bins or spaces formed between the panels of the blocks 10 when arranged in superposed courses are filled with a fill according to the desired conditions. The fill may be of different dimensions. The massive structure of the connecting arm allows the use of relatively bulky fill within the bins. The downwardly tapered configuration of the surfaces of the connecting arm and the inner opposed surfaces of the panels provide converging surfaces for the fill that tend to wedge the units downwardly and laterally with respect to the side panels, greatly improving the stability of a structure constructed with the blocks 10.  
  The blocks 10 may be constructed so that the facings 14 of the various courses are flush. They may also likewise be constructed so that the facings 14 are not flush with respect from one course to the next so that the facings 14 overhang the next lower facings or underlying facings of the underlying course of units. Thus, the underside surfaces 11b, 12b of the panels form drip edges.  
  The blocks 10 according to the invention may be used in flood control and river engineering projects. An example of such a structure is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this instance, a wall structure 20. The wall is constructed of blocks 10 made of concrete as heretofor described and disposed along the edge of a bank to protect the bank from the scouring action of water from a river, for example. As illustrated, the wall 20 is an armor for the bank and is tilted in the direction of the bank and is constructed sufficiently high to protect the bank from conditions of a mean water level to the highest water level.  
  The wall 20 is illustrated as being constructed of blocks without a footing. However, the lowermost block can have a concrete footing, not shown, underlying it with a lowermost course of blocks seated or embedded therein. Furthermore, the anchorage panels or rear panels may have a long anchor bolt, not shown, extending from the footing to the uppermost surface of a back panel of the uppermost course of blocks 10.  
  As can be seen, the wall can be provided with a scour pad at the foot thereof and stone fill fills the bins or spaces formed between the double-wall structure as illustrated. Other beach protective measures such as the use of a polyfilter X may be employed. The front side of the wall structure is illustrated in FIG. 5.  
  The blocks or units can be constructed quite readily a form 25 illustrated in FIG. 6. A section or elongated tank 26, and a second section or tank 27 for forming or molding the two panels of a block. A trough 28 open for filling with concrete joins the two sections 26,27. The two end tanks 26,27 are provided with covers 26a, 270 which are removable so that the finished blocks can easily be removed from the form or form removed from them. The form 25 is provided along the trough 28 with an intermediate section 29 that can be replaced with other similarly constructed sections of different axial lengths so that the connecting arm 13 of the blocks can be made of different lengths for the same size panels 11,12. The form is obviously made of a suitable metal.  
  A second embodiment of a block constructed according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, in this instance the block side panels 30,31 are of similar construction and made of reinforced concrete as before described. Two connecting arms 32, 33 spaced laterally from each other hold the two side panels spaced from each other in a rigid fixed relationship. The two connecting arms are made as massive structures and are constructed of a generally trapezoidal cross-section as are the side panels. The blocks of the second embodiment are otherwise constructed similarly to the first embodiment of the block and are used to construct similar structures. As can readily be seen in FIG. 7, the space between the connecting arms 32,33 readily adapts itself for being partially filled with a suitable fill and the block may be used individually as a planter, for plants or the like.  
  A third embodiment of a block or structural unit according to the invention, is illustrated in FIG. 9 in which a wall 35 is constructed with the outer walls and an inner or intermediate wall structure as illustrated. In this instance, individual units have outermost panels 36,37 with an intermediate panel 38 joined by connecting arms 39,40 to the opposed inner surfaces of the outermost panels 36,37. The intermediate panel 38 likewise has a trapezoidal cross-section and only a single lip on the underside thereof as shown in FIG. 9. The blocks are superposed over each other to construct a wall, in this case illustrated as a flood control or bank protection system. The use of the three walls provides for spaces alongside each other for fill providing for a very stable and strong triple-walled structure.  
  Provision is made in the invention for turning corners in structures constructed according to the invention. For this purpose provision is made by a corner block 43 two parallel side panels 44,45 and an end panel 46 joining one end of the side panels 44, 45. A massive connecting arm 47 centrally located as before described joins the two parallel panels and is integral therewith. The three panels of the corner panel 43 each have a trapezoidal configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Moreover, each panel has a downwardly extending lip 44a, 45a, 46a. The connecting arm 47 is likewise trapezoidal in cross-section.  
  A wall structure 50 illustrated in FIG. 10 has a plurality of courses of blocks and the corners are formed by corner blocks 43 superposed over each other. It will be understood that the side panels and end panel of each of the corner blocks cooperate with the respective corresponding panels over which they are disposed as before described. The interlock functions in the same manner. Furthermore, in this instance, the connecting arm 47 has a lip 47a running axially thereof so that it overlies the underlying connecting arm of an underlying course corner blocks. The remainder of the wall is constructed with block 10 of the type described heretofor except that the connecting arm 47 can have a lip 47a adjacent two notches 44b, 45b in the two side lips 44a, 45a, of the side panels for locking the corner panels with underlying corner panels as shown in FIG. 10 and 12.  
  In the embodiments heretofor described, the two side panels have been constructed of equal length. A fourth embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 14 and can be used to make triple-walled structures as illustrated in this figure or of the type disclosed and illustrated in FIG. 9. In this instance, a plurality of individual blocks are used to construct an overall triple wall structure 56. Each block 55 comprises a longer side panel 57with a shorter side panel 58 joined by a massive connecting arm 59.  
  The side panels and the connecting arm have a generally trapezoidal configuration as before described and the two side panels are provided with lower interlock lips of the type described with respect to the first embodiment.  
  In order to form the structure 56, the blocks 55 are arranged with the shorter panels 58 aligned with each other and forming an inner wall between the two outermost walls formed by the longer panels. This type of arrangement provides for a series of bins or spaces substantially doubled to those in a double-wall construction so that the stability of the wall structure 55 is greatly enhanced A fifth embodiment according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 inclusive. According to this embodiment, a block 60 is constructed with two side panels 61,62 of trapezoidal cross-section as in the first embodiment described. A massive connecting arm 63 rigidly connects the two side panels and holds them laterally spaced in parallel relationship. The entire unit is made integral and of reinforced concrete as are the other embodiments described. In this embodiment, the two side panels 61,62 are free of lower axial downwardly extending lips as can be seen in FIG. 16. In this instance the connecting arm 63 extends downwardly as can be seen in FIGS. 16 and 18 and provides the interlock for limiting the relative side movement of the locks with respect to each other in a wall structure 65.  
  In the embodiments here described the massive connecting arm of the various blocks has flat sides which are tapered and diverge downwardly. In this embodiment, the connecting arm 63 extends downwardly to form a projection 63a that forms the interlock. The sides of this projection are generally flat and then merge with concave sides 63b, 630. The concave sides are configured to receive fill therein developing a force downwardly to increase the stability and center of gravity of the individual elements and wall structure 65.  
  A sixth embodiment of a block according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. In this instance, a block 70 is made of reinforced concrete as all of the embodiments and comprises two side panels 71,72 and a massive connecting arm 73. The connecting arm in this instance comprises two flat sides 73a,73b that are tapered and diverge and merge with surfaces 73c,73d that diverge outwardly more than the other two side surfaces 73a,73b. Thus, the connecting arm has a massive base greatly improving the stability of the block 70. Furthermore, the flat diverging lower surfaces 73c,73d provide a load support surface on which the fill tends to rest so that a wall structure 75 constructed therewith will necessarily have a very high stability.  
  A seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. A block 80 is illustrated in FIG. 23 and more particularly the underside thereof. This block has two parallel side panels 81, 82 held in fixed relative relationship by a massive connecting arm 83 made integral with the inner opposed surfaces of the two side panels. The block is a block used for turning corners and each panel has notches such as at 81a, 81b for engaging underlying blocks. The connecting arm 83 is provided with a notch 83a transversely thereof for a keeper or the like to lock it in position when the wall is staggered or for passage of a conduit, pipe or cable. Each of the side panels 81,82 is free of a lower lip and the connecting arm 83 functions as the interlock between the two superposed blocks 80. The ends 81a, 81b can be made any shape desired, for example bevelled, without destroying the interlocking of the units.  
  It is readily apparent that the embodiments of the blocks heretofor described can be used for making different types of structures. The blocks 55 illustrated in FIG. 14 may be used for making straight wall structures or rectangular structures. A particular adaptation of this type of construction is illustrated in FIG. 19. Thus, it can be shown that a plurality of blocks 90 constructed along the configuration illustrated in FIG. 14 may be arranged in a circular configuration to make a tubular structure 92 about a storage tank 93. In this instance the smaller side panels provide an inner wall and the larger ones provide an outer wall for the structure 92.  
  A rectangular structure 100 is illustrated in FIG. circumferentially of a tank 101. The structure 100 is made of blocks which can be made of one of the other embodiments heretofor described.  
  The blocks according to any of the embodiments may be made in miniature for planning of the individual structures and arrangements. Thus, miniature blocks 110 are illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26 for building a miniature structure as shown. The blocks are constructed according to one of the embodiments before described.  
  Those skilled in the art will understand that the miniature blocks may likewise be used as toys for building toy structures.  
 What we claim and desire to secure by letters patent l. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship, each unit comprising two massive, rigid, laterally spaced side panels disposed extending axially parallel to each other, the panels defining a space therebetween open at opposite ends of the panels, a massive rigid connecting arm of lesser height than the panels disposed extending between opposed inner surfaces of the side panels and integral therewith holding the two side panels in relative fixed positions, said panels and said arm each have a generally trapezoidal cross section, and having opposite sides, including an inner side diverging inwardly in a direction toward a lower end of said unit, interlock means extending downwardly on lower edges of said unit for extending downwardly adjacent upper marginal surfaces of an upper edge of the panels of an immediately underlying structural panel for thereby interlocking two of the structural units when su&#39;perposed, said interlock means comprising a downwardly extending portion of said connecting arm extending downwardly below a lower surface of each panel, and comprising a lip on each panel extending downwardly from the inner surface of the corresponding panel, said lip being disposed for extending downwardly adjacent an upper inner marginal surface of an upper edge of a panel of an immediately underlying structural panel thereby interlocking the structural units.  
 2. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1, in which said interlock means comprises a downwardly extending portion of said connecting arm extending downwardly below a lower surface of each panel.  
  3. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1, in which said interlock means comprises a lip on each panel extending downwardly from the inner surface of the corresponding panel, said lips being disposed for extending downwardly adjacent an upper inner marginal surface of an upper edge of a panel of an immediately underlying structural panel thereby interlocking the structural units.  
  4. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1, in which one panel is shorter than the other.  
  5. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1, in which said two panels are of substantially equal axial lengths and of alike cross sections.  
  6. A structural unit for use in the construction of cribbing, retaining walls and the like with other similar units in a stacked relationship according to claim 1, in which said panels and said arm each have a generally trapezoidal cross section.  
  7. A structure comprising, a plurality of superposed structural units disposed in staggered relationship, each structural unit comprising two massive, rigid laterally spaced side panels disposed extending axially parallel to each other, the panels defining a space therebetween open at opposite ends of the panels, each structural unit having a massive rigid connecting arm of lesser height than the panels disposed extending between opposed inner surfaces of the side panels integral therewith holding the two side panels in fixed relative positions, said panels and said arm each have a generally trapezoidal cross section, and having opposite sides, including an inner side diverging inwardly in a direction 8. A structure according to claim 7 in which said panels of said structural units have flat faces and define a space therebetween.  
  9. A structure according to claim 7, in which said panels of the individual panels are of equal length and height.  
  10. A structure according to claim 7, in which said panels of the individual panels are of unequal lengths and of the same height.