ES2762857T3 - Systems, devices and / or methods to retain slopes - Google Patents

Abstract

A retaining wall system (4000) configured to substantially stabilize a slope formed from soil material (3800), the retaining wall system comprising: a stabilizing wall comprising multiple stacked spans formed by one or more tubes (4200 , 4202) extending substantially horizontally, each tube substantially filled with a plant growth medium; multiple modular tube retainers (1100, 4100, 4102) configured together to substantially resist bowing and bowing of an approximately flat major face of the stabilizing wall, the slope located distal to the major face; and wherein: each filled mesh tube has a substantially oval longitudinal cross section; Each tube retainer comprises an interlocking, pre-bent, substantially rear-open wire mesh element defining a substantially flat base portion (1120) that integrally connects to a substantially flat-faced portion (1140), the portion of base configured to be in direct contact with and to substantially support a lower portion of a tube of the single or more mesh tubes extending substantially horizontally, the face portion configured to be in direct contact with a front portion of said tube , the base portion configured to extend substantially horizontally from the face portion toward the ground material over a distance that is greater than a longitudinal cross-sectional dimension of the tube; Each tube retainer defines multiple retainer openings that are configured to substantially allow plant roots and soil material (3800) to pass substantially vertically through those in an area within the retaining wall system that is distal to the main face; Each tube retainer is substantially stabilized by at least one reinforcing strip (1500) that extends through a portion of the soil material, but does not wrap or wrap around a corresponding tube; each reinforcing strip is wound through an opening confined by a substantially horizontally extending handle (1700) of a corresponding tube retainer; Each handle has a diameter of at least 0.5 inches.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Systems, devices and / or methods to retain slopes

Cross references to related requests

This application claims priority over United States Provisional Patent Application 61 / 978,236 (Attorney's File No. 1030-078), filed on April 11, 2014.

Brief description of the drawings

A wide variety of potential, feasible and / or useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the non-restrictive and non-exhaustive description provided herein of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings. , in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 2000; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 3000; Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 4000 system; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 5000; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 6000; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 7000 system; Figure 8 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an 8000 system;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 9000 system;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 10000 system;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 11000 system;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 12000 system;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 13000 system;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 14000 system;

Figure 15 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a 15000 system; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 16000 system.

Description

A wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where 1 inch corresponds to 0.0254 meters, 1 thousandth of an inch corresponds to 0 0.0254 millimeters, 1 foot corresponds to 304.8 millimeters and 1 pound corresponds to 0.4535 Kg.

The problem of stabilizing a land slope with an aesthetically pleasing and / or sustained assortment of plants economically can be solved in a unique way by:

forming a wall system configured to stabilize the earthen material of the slope by first stacking lengths of tubular mesh socks that extend horizontally to form a stabilizing wall,

socks substantially filled with plant growth medium;

socks secured, substantially horizontally, by and supported at least partially vertically by, modular sock retainers configured to resist, substantially jointly, substantial translation, tilting and / or arching of an approximately planar main face of the wall;

the wall system configured to prevent erosion of the ground material;

socks defining mesh openings that are configured to allow plant roots to extend through them;

the sock retainers configured to allow the roots, stems, branches and / or leaves of rooted plants in the socks to grow away from the sock retainers;

sock retainers configured to allow soot-rooted plants to grow to an extent that the plants eventually substantially cover the main face of the wall;

each sock retainer comprising a grid-like bottom portion extending substantially horizontally allowing plant roots to extend approximately vertically therethrough;

each sock retainer defining a substantially open back;

each sock retainer comprising a pre-bent interlocking wire mesh module;

each sock retainer comprising a polymer block type module defining a substantially flat solid face, a substantially flat crosslinked bottom portion and / or one or more posts or back stops; me

each sock retainer comprising a polymer module defining two substantially flat, substantially crosslinked and substantially vertical module faces, one module face offset horizontally from the other by a predetermined distance to obtain a predetermined inclination for the wall, at least one of vertical module faces coupled to a substantially flat, substantially cross-linked, and substantially horizontal module face; me

substantially stabilizing each sock retainer by winding at least one polymer strip that extends from and to the earthen material of the slope through an opening defined by a handle that extends substantially horizontally from the retainer;

the at least one strip not wrapping or wrapping around the socks;

the at least one strip extending approximately horizontally;

the at least one strip secured to the ground material by a strip pin;

each handle configured to substantially avoid, reduce, and / or minimize stress concentrations at one point on its corresponding strip;

each handle having a diameter of at least 0.5 inch;

socks configured to substantially separate the plant growth medium from the soil material and / or to prevent erosion and / or undermining of the plant growth medium;

sock retainers defining filler openings that are configured to allow ground material to pass vertically through those in an area within the wall system behind the main face of the wall; me

each sock retainer configured to allow an irrigation conduit to extend within its sock, between its sock and an adjacent sock, and / or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of its sock.

The problem of stabilizing earth slopes with an aesthetically pleasing and / or sustained assortment of plants in an economical way can be solved in a unique way by:

stacking horizontally extending tubular mesh sock sections filled with a plant growth medium, the socks secured by a wall covering formed from modular pre-folded interlocking wire mesh baskets that are stabilized by polymer strips that extend into slope fill at multiple locations per span;

stacking horizontally extending tubular mesh sock sections filled with plant growth media, secured by a wall covering formed from pre-folded interlocking wire mesh baskets that are stabilized by polymer strips extending toward slope backfill at multiple locations per span, socks configured to separate plant growth media from backfill and to prevent erosion and undermining of plant growth media;

stacking horizontally extending tubular mesh sock sections filled with plant growth medium, the socks secured by a wall covering formed from pre-folded interlocking wire mesh baskets that are stabilized by polymer strips that are extend into the slope fill at multiple locations per span, so that stress concentrations at the strip / wire mesh interface are reduced by a jacket, such as a polymer jacket, located between the strip and wire , the jacket having a diameter substantially larger than that of the wire;

stacking horizontally extending tubular mesh sock sections filled with a plant growth medium, the socks secured by a wall covering formed from modular pre-folded interlocking wire mesh baskets that are stabilized by polymer strips that they connect to a non-terminal and substantially perpendicular wire of the wire mesh and extend into the fill of the slope at multiple locations per span;

stacking horizontally extending tubular mesh sock sections filled with plant growth medium, socks secured by a wall covering formed from vertically and horizontally pre-folded and interlocking wire mesh baskets that are stabilized by strips polymer that extend into the slope fill at multiple locations per span; me

the provision of a wall system consisting of the stacking of horizontally extending tubular mesh sock sections filled with plant growth medium, the socks secured by a wall covering formed of pre-bent interlocking wire mesh baskets that are stabilized By polymer strips extending into the slope fill at multiple locations per span, the wire mesh baskets configured to allow the fill to traverse vertically and defined by the baskets in an area within the wall system that is distal ( namely, behind) the wall covering.

The problem of economically and / or ergonomically building a healthy plant-filled "living wall" that stabilizes a relatively low land slope (up to 10 ') can be solved in a unique way by stacking sections of modules ("blocks") block type of light weight plantable polymers defining a substantially flat solid face, a substantially flat crosslinked bottom, and one or more posts or back stops, the blocks configured to limit the movement of substantially extending tubular mesh socks Horizontal that are filled with plant growth medium, the blocks configured to stabilize by polymer strips that extend into the backfill at multiple locations per span. The strip can be secured to fill with a strip pin, which can be similar to a pin used to secure landscaping fabric.

The problem of economically and / or ergonomically providing drip irrigation to a plant-filled "living wall" that stabilizes a relatively low land slope (up to 10 ') can be uniquely solved by providing stacked sections of modules. Plantable lightweight polymer block type "blocks" defining a substantially flat solid face, a substantially flat webbed bottom, and one or more post or back stops, the blocks configured to limit the movement of tubular mesh socks that They run substantially horizontally filled with plant growth medium, the blocks configured to facilitate passage of one or more drip irrigation lines through at least some of the socks.

The problem of economically and / or ergonomically building a healthy plant-filled "living wall" that stabilizes a relatively low land slope (up to 10 ') can be solved uniquely by stacking lengths of tubular mesh socks that are They extend substantially horizontally that they are filled with plant growth medium, socks stabilized by one or more lightweight polymer modules (“panels”) that define two substantially flat, lattice and vertical faces, one face displaced horizontally from the the other at a predetermined distance to obtain a predetermined inclination for the wall, at least one of the faces coupled to an integral and substantially flat, reticulated and horizontal face, the panels configured to be stabilized by polymer strips that extend towards the filling of the slope in multiple locations per section.

The problem of economically and / or ergonomically constructing a "living wall" full of healthy plants that stabilizes a relatively low land slope (up to 10 ') comprises sections made up of alternate block-type modules and open spaces, the sections positioned in a continuous interlocking pattern, and provides long-lasting, continuous, vertical support surfaces for such modules can be uniquely resolved by stacking substantially horizontally extending tubular mesh sock lengths that are filled with growth medium of soles, socks stabilized by one or more lightweight polymer modules defining two substantially flat, lattice and vertical faces, one face displaced horizontally from the other by a predetermined distance to obtain a predetermined inclination for the wall, at least one of faces coupled to an integral and substantially flat, reticulated and horizontal face Such, modules configured to stabilize by polymer strips extending into the slope fill at multiple locations per span, each module configured to receive removable side rails that provide a vertical support surface for two modules positioned higher.

US6817811B1 describes a retaining wall system (1,2) configured to substantially stabilize a slope (60) formed by a ground material (60), the retaining wall system (1,2) comprising: a wall ( 1,2) stabilizer comprising multiple stacked sections (1,2) formed by one or more mesh tubes (10,50) extending substantially horizontally, each tube (10,50) substantially filled with a growth medium of plants; multiple modular tube retainers (20,30) configured together to substantially resist the tilting and bowing of a main face approximately flat of the stabilizing wall (1,2), the slope (60) located distal to the main face; and where:

- each tube retainer (20,30) defines multiple retainer openings that are appropriate to substantially allow plant roots and soil material to pass substantially vertically through those in an area within the system (1, 2) Retaining wall that is distal to the main face.

The object of the present invention is to simplify and reinforce the above mentioned retaining wall system. The solution to the present problem is provided in claim 1.

Certain exemplary embodiments may combine modular welded wire mesh face elements (or "baskets") with a sock such as, for example, Filtrexx® Soxx ™ (eg, FilterSoxx ™, SoilSoxx®, GroSoxx®, GardenSoxx®, etc.) that can be filled with a plant growth medium. Multiple stacked horizontal sections of such a combination of wire mesh and padded socks can create a structural wall, which can serve as an anchor and / or retainer for a dirt slope. The wall can be designed and / or constructed to meet predetermined engineering requirements to secure and / or retain the slope, and / or to relieve hydraulic pressure that builds up behind the wall (i.e., distal to the face of the wall) . The face of the wall can be almost 100% plantable and can thus become a "green" or "live" wall.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a live wall system 1000, which may comprise a modular wire mesh face element 1100, which may comprise a connecting base portion 1120 (integrally or otherwise) at a predetermined angle K to a face portion 1140. Angle K can be maintained by one or more struts 1400 that connect, in a solid, integral, firm, rigid, loose and / or non-destructively releasable manner, one or more wires 1130 of the base portion 1120 to one or more wires 1150 of the 1440 face portion. One or more wall reinforcement strips 1500 may be wrapped around at least one wire 1122 of the base portion 1120 and extended into the backfill. Frictional contact between the reinforcing strips and the filler and / or earth of the earth slope can resist forces that tend to lean more and / or knock down the wall. Rather than being in direct contact with one or more wires of the base portion 1120, the reinforcing strips 1500 may be wrapped around a roller, cushion and / or jacket 1700 that at least partially surrounds one of the wires 1130 and, in this way, the bearing surfaces (and associated stresses) on the strip are reduced and / or minimized and / or the probability of tearing and / or perforation of the strip is reduced.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a live wall system 2000, which may comprise a modular wire mesh face element 2100 that can limit the movement of one or more tubes 2200, 2202 of cloth mesh that are filled with a plant growth medium.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a live wall system 3000, which may comprise a modular wire mesh face element 3100 and one or more fabric mesh tubes 3200 that are filled with a plant growth medium. The face element 3100 can be secured to the ground and / or padding material 3300 3800 by means of reinforcing strips 3600.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a live wall system 4000, which may comprise a stack of modular wire mesh face elements 4100, 4102, each configured to limit vertical movement and / or horizontal of one or more 4200, 4204, 4204, 4206 cloth mesh tubes.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a living wall system 5000, which may comprise a stack of modular wire mesh face elements 5100, 5102, 5104, each of which limits the movement of one or more 5200, 5202, 5204, 5206, 5208 plantable mesh fabric tubes.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a live wall system 6000, which may comprise a modular wire mesh face element 6100 that can limit the movement of one or more wire mesh tubes 6200. fabric that is filled with a plant growth medium and that has one or more 6900 plants (eg, trunk, stem, limbus, branch, leaf root, etc.) that grow through mesh and / or through of the face element 6100 mesh.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a live wall system 7000, which may comprise multiple vertically stacked and / or horizontally adjacent modular wire mesh face elements 7100 that may limit the movement of one. or more 7200 cloth mesh tubes that are filled with a plant growth medium and that have one or more 7900 plants (eg, trunk, stem, limbus, twig, leaf root, etc.) that grow to through their mesh and / or through the mesh of the face element 7100 and thus form a living or "green" wall.

In certain exemplary embodiments, plants can be selected to grow to cover the main and / or otherwise more visible face of the wall within a predetermined period. For example, a lawn that substantially covers the wall may be selected within approximately 1 to approximately 9 months, while vines, shrubs, or the like may be selected to substantially cover the wall within approximately 1 year to approximately 4 years (eg. , 18 months, 2.25 years, 3 years, etc.).

In certain exemplary embodiments, the wire mesh face elements can be from about 1 foot to about 15 feet wide, including all values and sub-ranges between them, from about 0.5 feet to about 3 feet high , including all values and sub-ranges between them, and thus present from approximately 1 to approximately 45 square feet (including all values and sub-ranges between these) of wall covering. Face elements can be stacked, sometimes in a straight-lock manner, to build walls and / or stabilize high-rise slopes.

The wire mesh face elements can interlock side to side and / or top to bottom and / or can prevent loose wires that can jam equipment, clothing, and / or fur. Each face element can be pre-bent at the desired angle such as from about 45 degrees to about 85 degrees, including all values between these (eg, 48.2, 55, 62.5, 70, 78, 75, etc. degrees) and sub-ranges between these. Said bending may allow the wall to be constructed with a predetermined and / or desired angle of inclination, inclination and / or setback of one or more sections with respect to a lower section. The wall may even be constructed to have an almost smooth overall wall face, which may allow rain to fall on the deck and / or plants to grow up out of the socks and / or through the deck. The cover elements can also be vertical and / or pre-bent at 90 degrees and the setback can be computed in the distance measurement between top and bottom face elements to achieve a desired tilt and / or setback.

A welded wire mesh face element may comprise an angled face portion and a substantially horizontal portion that extends from the wall face distally towards the slope and / or filler located behind the wall. The angled face portion can be supported by at least one strut (which may be formed of the same or a similar wire) that allows vertical loads applied to the face element to be transferred to the substantially horizontal portion of the face element.

The sock can have a length of about 1 foot to about 6 feet (including all values and sub-ranges between these) when provided as a "short sock" and a length of about 4 feet to about 10,000 feet (including all values and sub-ranges between these) when provided as a "continuous sock". The sock can have a diameter of about 5 inches to about 24 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these). A sock can rest on the substantially horizontal portion of the face element, directly behind the angled face portion, and thus provide a reservoir of growth medium for plants growing through the angled face portion. .

The plant growth medium may be Filtrexx GrowingMedia ™, a Filtrexx certified growth medium, and / or may include compost, composted organic materials, organic raw materials, composted products, compost, shavings, alum, lime, clay, gravel, gravel, sand, earth, chips, bark, peat, soil mixtures, straw, hay, leaves, sawdust, paper mill waste, wood waste, wood chipboard, hemp, bamboo, biosolids, coconut fibers, straw wheat, rice straw, rice husks, oat straw, soybean husks, palm debris, palm leaves, agricultural residue products, manure, wool, hair, sugarcane bagasse, seed husks, jute , flax, husks, organic waste, cat litter, plant seeds, seedlings, twigs, and / or spores, etc.

If compost is provided, it can provide runoff water treatment by physically deforming the runoff; biological degradation of unwanted, harmful and / or polluting substances; and / or chemical bonding of certain contaminants such as metals (eg arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and / or selenium), hydrocarbons, and / or organic chemicals (such as eg 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and / or nutrients (such as fertilizer, nitrates, phosphates, sewage and / or animal waste).

If compost is provided, it can be free of weed seeds, free of disease and / or free of insects and / or can be derived from a well decomposed source of organic matter. Certain embodiments of said compost can be free of waste, contaminants and / or other materials toxic and / or harmful to plant growth. In certain embodiments, the compost can have a pH that measures anywhere between about 5.0 and about 8.0 (including all values and sub-ranges between these). Certain embodiments of such compost may be produced according to an aerobic composting process that satisfies the regulations in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations ( CFR ), part 503. Certain embodiments of such compost may have a moisture content of less than 60%. In certain embodiments, the size of the compost particles can accommodate the following: approximately 99% passes a 1-inch sieve, approximately 90% passes a 0.75-inch sieve, a minimum of 70% larger than an approximately 0.375 inches, and / or less than 2% exceeds approximately 3 inches in length. In certain embodiments, the minimum particle size can be eliminated and, in this way, it is effectively ensured that some fines will remain, which can help the vegetation to become established.

Certain embodiments of such compost, such as, for example, those used for sediment control, may contain less than 1% by dry weight of inert, foreign and / or synthetic materials. Certain embodiments of such compost may have predetermined materials added to it.

For example, certain embodiments of filling may include, support, and / or encompass one or more microorganisms, microflora, rhizospheres, mycospheres, and / or ecosystems that can, biologically and / or chemically, harm, decompose, degrade, bind, and / or or filter out unwanted contaminants in the water flowing through them.

Certain filling embodiments may include entities such as, for example, colonies, spores, seeds, bulbs, seedlings, shoots, twigs, and / or seedlings of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and / or plants. As such entities become established, such entities can provide numerous beneficial functions. For example, certain living entities can help to remediate the environmental impact of the expected effluent. For example, plants commonly called cattails, reeds, and / or eastern skunk cabbage may be useful in treating certain types of wastewater. Accordingly, for example, a potential swamp area downstream of a septic field may be surrounded and / or filled with filled tubes strewn with an appropriate variety of plants. As another example, certain plants, such as mustard, can be useful for absorbing particular heavy metals. As another example, plant root systems growing from a packed tube can serve to anchor the stuffed tube into adjacent soil. Such an anchor can serve to prevent runoff from moving or washing the filled tube.

As a further example, certain embodiments of the filled mesh tube can finally provide plants that can enhance the aesthetic image of the filled tube. Therefore, rather than permanently presenting a tube filled with black, brown, or gray compost, a tube filled with sprouts may feature, for example, growing flowers, ground covers, vines, shrubs, lawns (such as , seeds, annual rye, crown, lotus corniculatus, and / or fescue) and / or aquatic plants, etc.

As another example, using a technique called mycorremediation, certain fungi and / or fungal components such as macro-fungi (including mushrooms commonly referred to as shiitake, portobello, crimini, oyster, white, and / or morel), White rot fungi (such as P. chrysosporium), brown rot fungi, mycelium, mycelial hyphae, and / or conidia, can be helpful in breaking down and / or damaging contaminants, including oil, fertilizers, pesticides, explosives, and / or a wide diversity of agricultural, medical and / or industrial waste. Some of said fungi and / or fungal components are marketed by Fungi Perfecti of Olympia, WA.

In certain embodiments, a microbial community comprised within the mesh tube filler may participate with the fungi and / or fungal components to harm certain contaminants for carbon dioxide and water. Certain wood-degrading fungi can be effective in damaging aromatic contaminants and / or chlorinated compounds. These can also be natural predators and competitors of microorganisms such as bacteria, nematodes and / or rotifers. Certain strains of fungi have been developed that can detect, attack, destroy and / or inhibit the growth of particular bacterial contaminants, such as, for example, Escherichia coli ( E. coli).

Certain embodiments of the filler may include one or more fertilizers, flocculants, chemical binders, and / or water absorbers, any of which may be selected to address a particular need and / or problem such as, for example, to fertilize the growth of a species of predetermined plant and / or to bind a predetermined chemical.

A sock can be obtained pre-filled such as with a plant growth medium, and / or a filler and / or plant growth medium can be added to a sock on site. In order to completely fill and / or fill a sock on site, a storage cavity can, at least partially, surround a fill (such as a plant growth medium), and can be a container, tank , hopper, truck and / or pile, etc. A fill management mechanism may be a hose, tube, pipe, conduit, and / or weir, and may include a mechanical and / or pneumatic component, such as a drill, vibrator, and / or fan, etc., to divert filling into a sock. The delivery mechanism can be replaced by a manual approach, whereby a human places the filler in a sock. The delivery mechanism may include a hose nozzle, reducer, and / or adapter that allows a standard hose (such as a hose having an outside diameter of about 4 inches to about 5 inches) to fill a larger diameter sock. large and / or smaller.

The sock can be made of a flexible net material, which can be spun, sewn, woven, welded, molded and / or extruded, etc. One source of networking material is Tipper Tie-net of West Chicago, Il. The net material can be biodegradable and, in certain embodiments, with a predetermined rate of biodegradation. Alternatively, the netting material can resist biodegradation. The netting material can be made from cotton, burlap, hemp, plastic, biodegradable plastic, UV-sensitive plastic, UV-inhibited plastic, polyester, polypropylene, multi-filament polypropylene, polyethylene, LDPE, HDPE, rayon and / or nylon.

The netting material can be of any diameter and / or thickness, in a range of about 0.5 thousandths of an inch to 30 thousandths of an inch, including about 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28 and / or 30 thousandths of an inch. The mesh material can be of any available mesh size (mesh opening), from a mesh as small as that of women's pantyhose, and including a nominal mesh opening of approximately: 0.001, 0.005, 0.010, 0.025, 0.050, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5, 0.625, 0.75, 0.875, 1.0, 1,125, 1.25, 1,375, and / or 1.5 inches. The mesh material can have any mesh opening pattern, including diamond, hexagonal, oval, round and / or square, etc. The sock can be manufactured in standard lengths such as any of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 , 200, 250, 300, 400 and / or 500 feet in length, any of which can be coupled together to form a continuous mesh tube of any size, including tubes as long as 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 7,500 and / or 10,000 or more feet. Accordingly, certain lengths of filled mesh tubes can be provided to be portable, and other lengths of filled mesh tubes can be provided to be fixed.

The sock can be filled completely or incompletely. When fully filled, the sock can generally be curvilinear, round, oval, or polygonal in longitudinal cross section. If it is generally oval, the sock can have a main diameter that is in the range of about 3 inches to about 30 inches, even about 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 , 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and / or 30 inches. Therefore, the ratio of the length of the sock to its main diameter can be approximately 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 and / or 500 or greater.

The sock may have opposite longitudinal ends, the end closest to the delivery device called the proximal end and the end furthest from the delivery device called the distal end. The distal end may be closed and / or sealed prior to administration of the padding in the sock. After administering the filler in the sock, the proximal end can be closed and / or sealed. The method of closing and / or sealing the ends of the sock may include knitting, sewing, folding, welding, stapling, clamping, clamping, tying, knotting and / or adjusting, etc.

Socks can safely contain plant growth medium so that the growth medium does not intermingle with the filler, undermines and / or erodes the back of the face and / or washes and / or seeps out towards and / or through the outer face of the wall. The socks, likewise, can provide a barrier to prevent the padding from washing and / or seeping out to and / or from the outside of the wall. Due to containment of the growth medium, access to plants can be provided with a predetermined, known and / or continuous amount and / or quality of growth medium, which can lead to the growth of an interconnected mass of plant roots that can further stabilize the wall and / or slope.

By means of certain exemplary embodiments, fluidic irrigation components, such as pipes, tubes and / or hose, can be installed longitudinally externally between and / or longitudinally internally through the socks and thus allow limited and / or controlled amounts of water should be applied as desired in predetermined sections and / or locations on the wall, and therefore allow plants to be adequately watered to sustain their growth and / or vitality. One or more predetermined fertilizers, pesticides and / or other plant enhancement compositions can be added to the irrigation water as desired to further support the growth and / or vitality of the plants.

Wire mesh can define open openings that have a cross dimension of about 0.25 inches to about 12 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these). The openings can be located in the horizontal portion, to the rear of the angled portion and / or to the rear of the socks. The filler can pass through these openings backwards and thus greatly increase the resistance to separation of the cover from the filler. Such open openings can allow the cover elements to be more securely connected to and / or integrated into the fill. Said capacity may allow the alignment of the cover elements to be maintained during heavy compaction of the padding directly behind the wall face and / or socks.

Certain loads (i.e., forces and / or pressures such as the weight of the wall materials, the weight of the backfill and / or earth slope behind the wall, and / or hydraulic loads applied behind the wall etc.) can cause the wall to tend to or actually bow and / or tilt. To resist such loads, the welded wire mesh face elements can be connected to polymer strip wall reinforcements by simply looping each strip onto one or more wires that generally extend perpendicular to the strip direction. The strips can be from about 2 inches to about 12 inches wide (including all values and sub-ranges between these). The strips can be attached virtually anywhere along the wire mesh in any desired density and / or configuration. Each strip can extend down the slope and be covered by compact filler, so that the bank or bow of the wall is counteracted by friction between the strip and the filler. Accordingly, the strips and padding can help establish and / or maintain the wire mesh elements, and thus the wall, in the desired and / or appropriate position.

The wire mesh can be galvanized (ie, zinc coated) to prevent, resist and / or retard wire corrosion. The galvanizing process can leave lumps, tips and / or pointy residual points on the wires. Regardless of whether the wire is galvanized or not, a single shock absorber can break into a wire chosen from the wire mesh to form a handle that reduces stresses and, in particular, stresses at points, which would otherwise be applied to a person or object that supports or pulls against said uncovered wire. The sleeve can be substantially cylindrical in shape, with an outside diameter that can be in the range of about 0.5 inch to about 9 inch (including all values and sub-ranges between these such as about 0.99, 1, 5, 2.09, 3, 4,172, 5.01, 6, etc.). In the longitudinal cross section, the sleeve may have a substantially annular shape, with the inner diameter being about 0.03 inches to about 8 inches larger than the outer diameter of the wire (including all values and sub-ranges between these ). The liner may have a slot that extends through its annular wall and along its length. The width of the slot may be somewhat smaller, identical to and / or somewhat larger than the width of the wire. Accordingly, the longitudinally extending groove can allow the sleeve to slide over the wire by force-fit, moveable fit and / or fit, so that the sleeve can substantially surround the wire, may even resist separation from the wire.

An additional wire can be added to the mesh in order to increase the number of welded joints covering the connection between the strip and the wire, and thus increase the resistance of the wire mesh to deformation under load. In certain exemplary embodiments, rather than being substantially round or annular in cross section, the outer (or inner) perimeter of the sleeve cross section may define any polygonal shape as, for example, substantially oblong, square, octagonal , semi-round, etc. The sleeve can, but does not need, be configured to rotate or roll around the wire.

The jacket can protect the polymer strip from stress concentrations caused by the wire, which can result in tearing, puncture, and / or other damage to the strip. When provided in a connection, the jacket can increase the effective wrap diameter of the portion of the strip wrapped around the wire, and thus absorb, spread and / or disperse certain charges on the strip.

Rather than being installed on the rearmost terminal wire of the mesh, the jacket may be installed on a leading wire (eg, second, third, etc., from the terminal) of the mesh. That is, the strip does not need to wrap around the rearmost wire (with or without strain relief provided by a jacket). Instead, the strip can be wrapped around a shirt that is in front of the rearmost wire. By installing the sleeve in this way, if the welds on either side of the sleeve break (such as due to the stresses imposed by the strip), additional back welds remain, along with welds on either side of such welds and on either side of broken welds, to resist wall movements (eg, translational, horizontal, buckling, bowing and / or tilting movements).

By covering the generally thin wires with a larger diameter and durable jacket, the potential may be lower so that the roughness of the galvanization and / or thinness of the wire will create a shear plane on the strip that will break prematurely throws it away. Adopting this approach can ensure that the strip is secure and / or the limiting factor of the strip / wire connection is the resistance of the wire weld. If an increase in connection strength is needed, more wires and / or welds can be added, and / or a larger diameter and / or stronger wires can be used. The sleeve can be formed with, eg, injection molded plastic and / or high-density extruded foam.

By locating the connection of the strip to the wire mesh to the rear of the main face of the wall, said connection is protected from undesired destructive events such as accidents and / or vandalism. Such destructive episodes can cause the strip to break and, in this way, leave the wall vulnerable to translation, arching, tilting and / or collapse.

Certain exemplary embodiments may:

built without using filter cloth to separate the filler;

provide accurate placement of the growth medium;

use a precise amount of the growth medium;

offer a precise quality of the growth medium;

include built-in erosion control; me

allow the seed mix to be placed inside the sock to eliminate the need for hydroseeding after completion.

As shown in Figure 8, certain exemplary embodiments can facilitate the construction of a live wall 8000 system by using multiple runs 8150, 8250, 8350, etc., each span consisting of 8100 light weight polymer block type modules ("blocks") and one or more 8200 socks, the stretches defining multiple openings or 8150 growth zones through which 8900 plants can grow, potentially aided by water supplied by a conduit 8800 irrigation. The live wall 8000 system can help stabilize an 8920 slope that is made of a 8940 earth material (potentially comprising backfill) and thus avoids, resists, and / or reduces material erosion and / or undercutting. of earth and / or collapse of the slope.

As shown, blocks 8100 can be arranged horizontally to provide front block faces 8120 surrounded by growth zones 8160 that are provided by an 8200 sock (as described herein), the block faces arranged in a manner straight lock, so that each front face 8120 is horizontally surrounded by a growth zone 8160, and each growth zone is horizontally surrounded by a front face. The initial span of blocks can rest on a leveling pad that can be made of aggregate, concrete, a polymer, etc. Each span may be offset from the bottom and / or top span to thereby form a checkerboard pattern (or misaligned chessboard) of front faces and growth zones. The socks that form the growth zones can extend beyond a given growth zone and into and / or along a neighboring block. A single sock can spread across multiple blocks to form multiple growth zones.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a 9100 block. Each block may be defined by a substantially flat and / or substantially solid outer front face 9120, a substantially crosslinked, meshed and / or apertured bottom part 9130. , and one or more posts or later 9140 stops. In texture and / or color, the front face 9120 can be configured to resemble any desired material, such as traditional stone, wood, and / or concrete block. The front 9120 face can have a height that is in the range of about 4 inches to about 12 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these), a width that is in the range of about 12 inches to about 24 inches ( including all values and sub-ranges between these) and / or a weight that is in the range of about 1 pound to about 10 pounds (including all values and sub-ranges between these) with no padding or socks installed. The weight of the blocks used for a given span and / or for the wall can be substantially uniform, such as within about 3 inches to about 18 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these). Consequently, the size and / or weight of the blocks can facilitate easy and / or safe handling and / or manual installation.

The front face 9120 may have both a front side 9122 facing away from the slope and a rear side 9124 facing the interior of the block and thus toward the slope. The volume between the front side and the back side can be substantially solid. Alternatively, said volume may be substantially hollow, with only limited structural members to provide structural integrity and / or maintain a gap between most of the front and rear sides, which may be attached to the top of the front face. By keeping said volume substantially hollow, the total weight of the block can be reduced.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 10000, which may include block 10100. The geometry of block 10100, a span of blocks, and / or a stacked wall of blocks can be configured to limit and / or resist horizontal and / or vertical movement of one or more substantially horizontally extending tubular mesh socks 10200 that are filled with plant growth medium. The socks and / or growth medium can have any of the characteristics described herein.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a group of blocks 11100 that are arranged to allow a wall from which they are remote to change direction, such as in a corner. The X, Y, and Z coordinate axes are also shown.

As shown in Figure 12, each block 12100 can be configured to be stabilized by one or more polymer strips 12500 that can extend into the fill of the slope at one or more locations per span. The present configuration may take the form of an extension 12600 to the bottom and / or posts of the block defining an opening 12700 through which the strip 12500 extending toward the face of the wall can change direction and / or roll up and extend again toward slope and / or fill. Said extension and opening can also serve as a handle to manually carry the block. To accommodate the strip, the handle can be round and / or can be from about 0.5 inches to about 12 inches wide (including all values and sub-ranges between these). The X, Y, and Z coordinate axes are also shown.

Blocks can be shaped to allow one block to nest within another, and thus allow blocks to be grouped closely together to substantially minimize shipping and / or handling volume and / or costs. The blocks, socks and / or straps can be formed from plastic such as, for example, medium for high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon and / or ABS, etc. Blocks, socks, and / or straps can be formed from recycled plastic. The wall can be formed substantially and / or totally with recycled and / or post-consumer content, particularly if the socks are full of compost.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, in certain exemplary embodiments of a 12000 system, a removable side rail 12800 may be provided for one or more blocks 12100. Said side rail, which may be formed from the same material as the blocks , can be substantially hollow, can span and / or connect between the rear post and the front face of the block, and can span up from the bottom of the block to a plane defined by an upper surface of the front face of the block. When installed on the sides of a given block of a first section, an opposite pair of said side rails can provide a support surface 12820 for blocks of a second section located above the given block, said blocks in the second section displaced by with respect to the given block in a direction substantially parallel to the substantially horizontal longitudinal axis of the wall face, and / or can serve to align the blocks of the second section with those in the first section that support them. The side rails may include openings and / or grooves 12840 to allow irrigation members (eg, pipes, tubes and / or hoses, etc.) to extend substantially horizontally between or through socks that are placed inside and / or between blocks of a given section. Side rails can help trap loose growth media between blocks in a given span.

As shown in Figure 14, in certain exemplary embodiments, one or more side rails 14800 may allow turns in a wall that have a radius as small as zero (i.e., abrupt changes in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the wall extending substantially horizontally). Accordingly, the side rails can allow wall turns that have a radius and / or are at an angle (eg, 30, 45, 60, 90 degrees, etc.) measured from the longitudinal axis extending so substantially horizontal of a section of the wall with respect to a horizontally adjacent section of the wall. Through openings 14840, plants can grow from the filling of one or more socks 14200, 14202.

In order to prevent loose growth media from migrating out of a given block, the partial block section and / or one or more complete block sections, the lower portion and / or a certain portion of the interior of said block, the partial section of blocks and / or one or more complete sections of blocks may be covered and / or in line with one or more pieces of fabric such as woven or spun mesh, non-spun filter cloth, and / or geotextile, any of which can be formed from a polymer and / or a natural fiber. For example, if you simply cover a grid-like bottom of a block, the filter cloth can act as a vertical barrier to growth medium migration, even allowing water and / or roots to penetrate vertically. If the filter cloth forms something that looks more like a depression extending into the front and / or rear of the block, the filter cloth may also prevent some horizontal migration of the growth medium, while allowing penetration horizontal water and / or roots. If desired, the side rails can help catch filter clothing in place.

As shown in Figure 15, certain exemplary embodiments can facilitate the construction of a living wall by the use of 15200 socks such as, for example, Filtrexx® Soxx ™ (eg, FilterSoxx ™, SoilSoxx®, GroSoxx ®, GardenSoxx®, etc.). One or more of said socks, and potentially all of said socks, can be filled with a plant growth medium. Multiple stacked horizontal sections of padded socks can create a structural 15000 wall, which can serve as a fastener and / or retainer for a ground slope. Each section of the wall can comprise one or more socks. The socks and / or growth medium can have any of the characteristics described herein.

Each sock may be retained on the wall and / or locked at a predetermined location relative to the wall by one or more lightweight, injection molded plastic and / or polymer modules 15100 ("locks").

As shown in Figure 16, a modular lock 16100 can be defined by two substantially flat and / or substantially cross-linked, flat and / or apertured outer front faces 16120, 16140. Each front face can extend within a substantially vertical plane. Of the two front faces, an upper face 16140 may be located above a lower face 16120 offset substantially horizontally from the lower face by a predetermined distance to obtain a predetermined inclination, contour and / or angle of slope for the wall, which For example, it can measure from about 45 degrees to about 85 degrees, including all values between these (eg, 48.2, 55, 62.5, 70, 78.75, etc. degrees) and sub-ranges between these.

One or more of the faces may be coupled to a substantially flat, cross-linked, and / or horizontally extending sock spacer 16130. Accordingly, the lock may resemble a portion of a ladder, where the underside may resemble a lower platform, the sock spreader may resemble a step, and the upper face may resemble an upper platform.

Each lock can be configured to limit and / or resist horizontal and / or vertical movement of adjacent socks. That is to say, the sock separator of the lock can rest on a sock of a given length (eg, "X leg") and a sock of an immediately higher length (eg, "Y leg) can rest on it. "). Accordingly, the sock divider of the lock can be positioned between and / or partially separate two lengths of socks. As described above, due to the offset faces of the lock, the Y section can roll back towards the slope with respect to the X section. The upper face can help limit or prevent horizontal movement of the Y section, while the lower face can help limit or prevent horizontal movement of section X.

Since the underside and / or top face may resemble a lattice, mesh, and / or plate with holes, approximately the entire exposed surface of the sock can be planted and / or serve as a plant growth zone. Also, due to the tilt (setback) created by the lock, the plants can grow vertically from the wall, and / or a substantial portion of rain hitting the wall can be absorbed directly into the socks. Since the sock spacer can resemble a lattice, mesh and / or plate with holes, the roots of the plants can extend through a sock and further down into the padding and / or lower sections of the wall and thus In this way, create a structural network of roots that can also secure and / or stabilize the wall.

Any front face can have a height that is in the range of about 2 inches to about 24 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between them) and / or a width that is in the range of about 8 inches to about 36 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these). The sock spreader can have a depth that is in the range of about 8 inches to about 48 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these). Each lock can be configured to be connected to and / or stabilized by one or more polymer strips that can extend into the fill of the slope at one or more locations per span. The present configuration may take the form of an extension to the sock spreader which extends the sock spreader beyond its connection to the top face. Said extension can define an opening through which a strip extending towards the face of the wall can change direction and / or rewind and extend again towards the slope and / or fill. The extension can provide a handle to manually carry the lock, the handle having a diameter of approximately 0.5 inches to 6 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these). The extension may include one or more protrusions that extend substantially vertically (eg, spikes, pins, pegs, and / or posts) that can serve to lock the upper sock horizontally in position before the padding is placed behind the upper sock.

The locks can be made of metal, welded wire and / or plastic such as, for example, medium for high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon and / or ABS, etc., any portion comprising recycled plastic. Any handle described herein can be substantially rounded off a sleeve that can serve to distribute, spread, and / or disperse stresses otherwise imposed on the handle by one or more reinforcing strips. The sleeve can have an outside diameter of about 1 inch to about 12 inches (including all values and sub-ranges between these).

Certain exemplary embodiments may provide a retaining wall system comprising: multiple welded wire mesh elements;

multiple stacked stretches of mesh tubes extending substantially horizontally, each tube substantially filled with plant growth medium; me

multiple polymer reinforcing strips;

where:

the system is configured to substantially retain an earth material;

the multiple mesh elements are substantially intertwined;

each of the multiple mesh elements comprises a face portion that defines a portion of a fascia of the system, and a substantially horizontal portion that extends from the face portion distally toward the ground material;

at least one of the face portions is connected to its corresponding horizontal portion by a strut; at least one of the face portions is configured at a predetermined angle to provide a predetermined contour, inclination and / or setback to one or more of the sections with respect to a section below; the default angle is from about 45 degrees horizontal to about 85 degrees horizontal;

each tube rests on one or more of the horizontal portions and is located distal to the fascia;

each tube is substantially secured against the ground material by one or more of the mesh elements; each tube is configured to substantially prevent erosion and undermining of the plant growth medium; each tube has a minimum mesh opening size of approximately 0.050 inches;

a fluidic irrigation component extends longitudinally through at least one of the tubes;

each of the strips is wound around a wire of a corresponding horizontal portion and extends into the ground material;

each of the strips extends substantially perpendicular to the corresponding wire;

one or more of the strips are configured to substantially resist wall tilt loads and / or wall bow loads;

each of the strips is displaced from contact with the corresponding wire by a corresponding sleeve, the sleeve configured to substantially protect the strip from damage caused by direct contact with the wire;

one or more of the sleeves are configured to substantially surround a portion of the corresponding wire; one or more of the sleeves is located proximal to a wire more distal to the corresponding horizontal portion; me

no filter cloth separates the ground material from an outside of the tubes.

Certain exemplary embodiments may provide a retaining wall system comprising: multiple plantable block-type modules,

multiple stacked stretches of mesh tubes extending substantially horizontally, each tube substantially filled with plant growth medium; me

multiple polymer reinforcing strips;

where:

the system is configured to substantially retain an earth material;

each of the multiple modules is stackable with the other modules of the multiple modules;

each of the multiple modules is nestable with the other modules of the multiple modules;

each of the modules comprises:

a substantially flat, substantially solid outer front face portion defining a portion of a fascia of the system;

a substantially flat crosslinked bottom portion extending from the face portion and into the ground material; and

one or more posterior stops;

each of the modules is configured to substantially limit the movement of one or more corresponding tubes;

each tube rests on one or more of the lower portions;

each tube is substantially secured against the ground material by one or more of the modules;

each tube is configured to substantially prevent erosion and undermining of the plant growth medium; each tube has a minimum mesh opening size of approximately 0.050 inches;

a drip irrigation conduit extends longitudinally through at least one of the tubes;

each of the strips is wound around a portion of a module and extends into the ground material; one or more of the strips is configured to substantially resist wall tipping loads and / or wall bow loads;

no filter cloth separates the ground material from an outside of the tubes;

the face portion is textured and / or colored to substantially resemble a predetermined material; the multiple modules are arranged in sections comprising alternate modules and open plant growth zones configured to grow plants, the sections positioned in a continuous interlocking pattern;

at least one tube substantially serves multiple plant growth zones;

at least one module of the multiple modules nests within another module of the multiple modules;

the modules are formed from a recycled material;

the plant growth medium comprises compost; me

at least some of the modules are configured to receive one or more non-destructively removable side rails that provide a vertical support surface for two modules positioned higher.

Certain exemplary embodiments may provide a retaining wall system comprising: multiple stacked mesh tubes extending substantially horizontally, each tube filled substantially with plant growth medium;

multiple modules configured to substantially stabilize the multiple tubes, and / or

multiple polymer reinforcing strips;

where:

the system is configured to substantially retain an earth material;

the multiple modules are stackable;

each of the modules comprises:

a substantially flat, reticulated and substantially vertical upper face,

a substantially flat, lattice and substantially vertical underside, and

a substantially flat, crosslinked and substantially horizontal spacer to which at least one of the top face and the bottom face is integrally coupled;

for at least one module, the upper face is offset horizontally from the lower face by a predetermined distance to provide a predetermined inclination for a portion of a fascia of the system; each of the modules is configured to substantially limit the movement of one or more corresponding tubes;

each tube rests on one or more of the spacers;

each separator rests on one or more tubes;

each tube is secured against the ground material by one or more of the modules;

each tube is configured to substantially prevent erosion and undermining of the plant growth medium; each tube has a minimum mesh opening size of approximately 0.050 inches;

a drip irrigation conduit extends longitudinally through at least one of the tubes;

each of the strips is wound around a portion of a module and extends into the ground material; each of the strips is wound through a defined opening in a corresponding spacer and extends into the ground material;

each of one or more of the spacers comprises substantially vertically extending integral posts configured to substantially resist horizontal movement of a corresponding tube;

one or more of the strips are configured to substantially resist wall tilt loads and / or wall bow loads;

no filter cloth separates the ground material from an outside of the tubes;

the multiple modules are arranged in sections that include alternate modules and open spaces, the sections positioned in a continuous interlocking pattern;

the system is configured to substantially promote the growth of plant roots out of a first tube and into an adjacent second tube;

the system is configured to substantially promote the growth of plant roots out of a first tube and into a horizontally adjacent second tube; me

The system is configured to substantially promote the growth of plant roots out of a first tube and into a vertically adjacent second tube.

Definitions

When the following terms are used substantively herein, the attached definitions apply. Said terms and definitions are presented without prejudice and, in a manner consistent with the request, the right to redefine said terms by means of modifications during the processing of this application or any application that claims priority with respect to the present one is reserved. In order to interpret a claim of any patent that claims priority with respect to the present one, each definition in said patent works as a clear and unambiguous negation of the object outside said definition.

a / o - at least one / o / a.

positioned (s) above - positioned (s) above.

activity - an action, act, stage and / or process or portion thereof.

tailored for - made for, designed for and / or configured to carry out a specified function.

adapter - a device used to effect operational compatibility between different parts of one or more parts of an apparatus or system.

adjacent (s) - close (s) to; lying (n) near; next (s) to; contiguous (s) and / or within a horizontal radius of approximately 0 to approximately 2 inches from, including all values and sub-ranges between them. aesthetic (s) - attractive (s), elegant (s) and / or in good taste.

against - which is (are) in forced contact with.

allow - provide, let do and / or happen.

alternate - occur, happen, present and / or follow in turn and / or happen to each other continuously.

a / o - at least one / o / a.

and - in conjunction with.

and / or - in conjunction with or as an alternative to.

any - one, some and / or all without specification.

angle - a measure of rotation and / or tilt between a beam and a beam and / or reference plane.

other - one different and / or additional.

opening - an opening, hole, space, passage, and / or slit.

appliance - an appliance and / or device for a particular purpose.

approximately - around and / or practically equal to.

are - exist.

around - surrounding (n) and / or on substantially all sides of.

arrange - organize in a particular order.

associate - unite, connect, accompany and / or relate.

in - in, on and / or near.

at least - not less than, and possibly more than.

at least one / o - a not less than one / o / a, and possibly more than one / o / a.

away - on a route directed from a predetermined location.

back - an opposite part and / or area, behind and / or farther from the front and / or that which is configured for view and / or use.

backfill - material used to backfill an excavation and / or extend a dirt and / or mound elevation.

rear stop - a support, safety device and / or reinforcement.

basket - a mesh and / or interwoven container.

tilt - a slope contour, such as the outer face of a retaining wall, that recedes from the bottom to the top.

to be - to exist in reality.

support - a device that supports, guides and reduces the friction of movement between parts of fixed and mobile machines.

support surface - the surface of an object that supports the weight of another object.

behind - on the far side of; back of; and / or in, to or towards the back.

below - below; in a lower place; and / or less than.

bend - cause a curved or angular shape and / or a result of it.

between - in a separation interval and / or intermediate a.

block type - that resembles geometrically, functionally and / or structurally a block and / or extruded rectangular shape such as a stone and / or concrete block.

limit - locate and / or position adjacent to an outer edge, surface, and / or extent of an object. bottom - a deeper and / or lower part of an object relative to a reference point, the object in a predetermined orientation relative to the reference point; below with respect to a predetermined orientation of an object; a base and / or support part; and / or in a normal operating embodiment, the lowest point of an object.

arching - forming or causing the formation of a curve or curves.

branch - a secondary wood stem and / or branch that grows from the trunk and main stem of a tree or shrub or from another secondary branch.

build - make, build and / or assemble.

by - by and / or with the use or assistance of.

may / are - are / are capable of, in at least some embodiments.

provoke - cause, originate, precipitate, produce, trigger, be the reason for, result in and / or effect.

fabric - material formed by weaving, spinning, pressing, and / or felting natural and / or synthetic fibers.

together - combined and / or in conjunction with.

color - aspect of things caused by different qualities of the light reflected and / or emitted by them, definable in terms of the observer of light as: the appearance of objects and / or light sources described in terms of their perception of individual, which implies hue, clarity and / or saturation; the characteristics of light by which the individual is aware of objects and / or light sources through the receptors of the eye, described in terms of dominant wavelength, luminosity and / or purity; a gradation and / or variation of said aspect, especially when it is different from black, white or gray; and / or a hue; coloring - impart color to and / or change the color of.

component - an element and / or constituent part.

Compost - a mixture of organic matter, such as from leaves and manure, that has been deteriorated and / or digested by organisms, and that is used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients to plants.

comprising (n) - including (n) but not limited to.

concentrate - lead to a common center; steer to a point; focus converge; gather; intensify; make denser, stronger, or purer; and / or become more intense.

concentration - the act or process of concentrating and / or something that is concentrated.

conduit - a tube, pipe, and / or channel to transport a fluid, wires, cables, and / or other conduit.

configure - make appropriate for and / or suitable for a specific use and / or situation.

connect - join, link, couple and / or physically or logically hold two or more entities.

limit - restrict, regulate and / or contain within limits.

contact - physically touch and / or join.

container - a structure configured to, at least partially, contain, retain and / or limit one or more objects.

containing (n) - including (n) but not limited to.

continuous (s) - in a substantially uninterrupted manner in time, sequence, substance and / or extent, and / or substantially non-stop.

outline - a border that defines an object.

corresponding - related, associated, accompanying, similar in purpose and / or position, adaptable in every aspect, and / or substantially equivalent and / or substantially in accordance in quantity, magnitude, quality and / or degree.

couple - join, connect and / or link two things together.

attachable (s) - capable (s) of joining, connecting and / or linking.

coupling - union in some way.

span - a continuous layer of building material, such as brick, block, or tile, such as used to form a wall.

cover - coat, place on and / or immerse.

create - make, train, produce, generate, and / or cause it to exist.

damage - destruction or a loss in value, utility and / or capacity resulting from an action or episode.

define - establish the meaning, relationship, design, shape and / or structure of; and / or describe and / or specify precisely and / or clearly.

degree - an angular unit of measure equal in magnitude to 1/360 of a full revolution in a predetermined plane.

determine - discover, obtain, calculate, decide, deduce, confirm and / or make a decision, usually through investigation, reasoning and / or calculation.

device - a machine, manufacture and / or collection of them.

diameter - a length of a straight line segment that passes through an object's center and ends at its periphery.

decrease - reduce, lower and / or minimize.

direct contact - a union and / or contact of objects and / or surfaces.

direction - a spatial relationship between something and a section along which it points and / or moves; an independent distance relationship between two points in space that specifies the position of either point relative to the other; and / or a relationship by which the alignment and / or orientation of any position with respect to any other position is established.

show - present and / or exhibit.

distal - further and / or further away from an observer or a reference point.

distance - a measure of physical and / or logical separation.

no - it does not perform and / or exists in a predetermined and / or specified manner.

drip - the process of formation and droplet drop.

drip irrigation - an irrigation method that can save water and / or fertilizer by slowly administering water to the base and / or roots of plants through a network of valves, tubes, pipes, hoses and / or emitters; also known as sprinkler irrigation, micro-irrigation and / or localized irrigation.

each - each from a group considered individually.

earth - related to earth.

economic (s) - profitable (s) and / or relatively inexpensive (s).

economically - intended to save money, for example by efficient operation and / or removal of unnecessary features.

element - a component.

realization - an implementation, manifestation and / or a concrete representation, such as a concept.

Ergonomically - intended to maximize productivity by minimizing damage, fatigue and / or operator and / or user discomfort.

erosion - the gradual wear of earth surface materials, especially stones, sediments and soils, by the action of water, wind and / or glacier.

calculation - a calculated value that approximates an actual value; calculate - estimate and / or determine roughly and / or tentatively.

each - each and every member of a group without exception.

by way of example - serving as an example, model, instance and / or illustration.

extend - lengthen, cover, encompass, move and / or reach spatially between, out and / or away from.

extension - degree.

exterior - a region that is outside of a device and / or system.

face - a significant and / or prominent surface of an object and / or to be oriented in a direction of.

facilitate - help provoke, motivate and / or allow.

cover - a fascia, front, cover and / or outer portion and / or layer.

fascia - a broad visible face and / or general surface of a structure.

fill - supply, insert into and / or put into a container, potentially, but not necessarily, to the maximum extent of the container.

filler - a planned content of a tube after a filling operation, which can supply the filler to the tube pneumatically, by auger, manually, etc.

filter - a permeable material through which a fluid passes in order to separate the liquid or gas from particulate matter suspended there and / or an article or mass of material made of closely spaced or closely spaced fibers, cords, elements, strands, or particles arranged interconnected in a mesh or not connected together, acting as a mechanical entrapment barrier to physically retain at least one component of a fluid mixture on their surfaces or in the spaces between fibers, cords, elements, strands or particles while allowing the passage of the other components; filter - remove solid particles from a liquid by passing them through a medium with openings smaller than the particles.

first / or / a - a cited initial element of a set; an initial entity in an order of entities; and / or immediately preceding the second in an order.

fluidic (s) - by means of a liquid, mud, vapor, mist, cloud, column and / or foam, etc.

for - for the purpose of.

train - build, create, edify, make and / or shape.

formed (s) - built (s).

de - used to indicate a source, origin and / or location.

front - the part or side that is front, prominent, or seen or used most often.

geotextile - any strong synthetic fabric used in civil engineering and / or to retain a fill.

generate - create, produce, convert, cause and / or make it exist.

grid type - something that resembles, in rigidity and / or organization, a weft, mesh and / or structure of crossed parallel bars.

grow - increase in size through a natural process.

growth medium - a material configured to increase by natural development, like any living part or organism by assimilation of nutrients, and / or to increase in size or substance.

growth - the act or process or a way to grow; developing; gradual increase.

handle - a part and / or element configured to hold, catch and / or hold, and / or to receive an applied force.

having (n) - possessing (n), characterized by, comprising (n) and / or including (n) but not limited to. healthy - vigorous, that works well and / or is (are) sensible; and / or a positive description of the physical state of a person or thing.

horizontal (s) - parallel (s) to and / or in the horizon plane.

which includes (n) - which has (n), but is not limited to, what follows.

initialize - prepare something for use and / or some future episode.

install - connect or set in place and prepare for use.

integral (s) - formed (s) and / or joined (s) in another entity.

integrally - in a comprehensive, built-in way.

interface - a common point, boundary and / or surface on and / or along which two independent bodies, objects and / or systems meet, act, and / or communicate with each other; and / or interact - connect with as an interface. entwine-bond closely.

towards - to a condition, state or form of, and / or towards, in the direction of, and / or within.

Irrigation - the artificial application of water to soil and / or soil to aid in the germination, growth, maintenance and / or production of plants.

is - exist in reality.

jacket - any one of several elongated and / or substantially cylindrical devices that can roll, rotate, substantially encircle a portion of a wire or rod, and / or provide at least a partial surface substantially circumferential with respect to an axis of revolution, regardless of whether the device is configured to roll or rotate around said axis.

largest (s) - more or more in magnitude.

lattice - an open structure made of strips of material arranged in a regular pattern, intersecting and / or crossed. leaf - a normally green, flattened, lateral structure attached to a stem that functions as a major organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in most plants.

light weight - relatively low in weight.

load - a substantial force and / or a quantity of extracted earth material associated with a shovel and / or truck, etc. located (s) - located (s) in a point, region and / or approximate and / or particular position.

location - a place.

long lasting - lasting more than 5 years.

longitudinal - of and / or in relation to a length; placed (s) and / or moving (n) longitudinally. longitudinal axis - a defined straight line parallel to the length of an object and running through a centroid of the object. loop - something that has a shape, order, and / or path of motion that is circular or curved on itself and / or the round or oval shape formed by a line, rope, strip, etc., that curves around to intersect herself; roll up - form into a loop.

low (s) - having low relative height; not high (s); it rises (n) only slightly above surrounding surfaces; located (s) and / or placed (s) below the normal height; located below the surrounding surfaces; near or on the horizon; below average and / or standard; and / or in a range close to the beginning of an ascending series and / or scale.

lower - positionally lower relative to something else.

main - more important and / or relatively large in size and / or extension.

way - a mode of action.

material - any substance that can be excavated and / or extracted.

can (n) - which is allowed, in at least some embodiments.

mesh - a grid-like structure; an open textured woven, spun and / or braided fabric; an interwoven and / or interlocking structure; and / or an arrangement of interlocking metal links, wires or rods with uniform openings and regularly spaced between, as used in jewelry, sieves, etc.

method - one or more acts that are carried out on the object that will transform into a different state or thing and / or linked to a particular apparatus, said one or more acts not being a fundamental principal and not avoiding all uses of one main fundamental.

minimum - which has a lower value.

module - a distinct component, often one that is interchangeable with others, for mounting in units of different size, complexity, and / or function.

plus - a quantifier that means greater in size, quantity, extent, and / or grade; and / or in addition to. movement - an act and / or instance of moving and / or a change in position from one location to another.

multiple - more than one.

nest - fit one into another.

no - an absence of and / or lack of.

non-destructively - of, related to, or which is / are a process that does not result in damage to the material under investigation, testing and / or use.

nonterminal - nonterminal.

neither / nor - nor one to obtain - receive, obtain, take possession of, procure, acquire, calculate, determine and / or compute. displacement - at a location close to, but distinguishable from, a given point or area; and / or separated in a more than not substantial distance.

a / o / a - that is or amounts to a single unit, individual and / or thing, article and / or entire object.

open - interrupt, release from a closed and / or clamped position, remove obstructions from, clear and / or electrically uncouple in a way to create a space along which electrical energy cannot flow immediately; open (s) - not obstructed (s) and / or not closed (s) substantially.

opening - an opening and / or an open space that serves as a passage or space, and / or an unobstructed area that allows access to and / or visibility of the interior of a container.

or - a conjunction used to indicate alternatives, which normally appears only before the last article in a group of alternative articles.

other - a different and / or different entity and / or not the same as the one already mentioned and / or implicit.

outside - in a direction away from the inside and / or away from the center and / or middle.

parallel (s) - to, in relation to, and / or designating lines, curves, planes and / or surfaces anywhere equidistant.

pass - transport, transfer and / or transmit and / or move through, beyond and / or with respect to, without local change of address.

passage - a path, channel and / or conduit through which, in and / or along which something may pass; a movement of a first object with respect to a second object; and / or a transfer, transport and / or transmission. pattern - a characteristic shape, arrangement and / or sequence.

by / for - to, for, and / or for each; for each; according; by: by means of; through; and / or for each one. perpendicular (s) - intersecting (n) at and / or forming (n) substantially right angles; substantially at a right angle to an axis; and / or of, in relation to, and / or designating two or more locally straight coplanar lines and / or two or more locally flat planes intersecting at approximately a right angle.

plane (s) - formed as a substantially flat two-dimensional surface.

plant - any of several photosynthetic organisms, eukaryotes, multicellular organisms of the Plantae kingdom that characteristically produce chloroplast-containing embryos that have cellulose cell walls and that do not have the power of locomotion, whether unharvested or harvested , eg crops, grains, tobacco, trees, nuts, flowers, vegetables, fruits, berries and / or fruits and vegetables, etc. and / or plant - sow, place or establish young seeds and / or plants in the soil and / or soil to grow.

plant growth medium - any material capable of supporting plant life including soil, sand and / or compost.

plantable (s) - configured to sustain plants in a continuous, substantial and vigorous way.

multiple - the state of plurality and / or more than one / or / a.

polymer - a chemical compound and / or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization (a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules (often called "monomers") combine through covalent chemical bonds to form larger molecules that contain structural units that are repeat). Examples of polymers include ABS, polyacetates, polyacrylics, alkyd, epoxies, fluorothermoplastics, liquid crystal polymers, nylon, styrene acrylonitrile, polybutylene terephthalates, thermoplastic elastomers, polyketones, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polystyrenes, PVC polymers. thermoplastic, and / or polyamides, etc.

portion - a part, component, section, percentage, ratio, and / or quantity that is less than a larger whole. position - a predetermined, appropriate and / or suitable place, location, arrangement, situation and / or role; position-put in a predetermined, appropriate and / or suitable place, location, arrangement, situation and / or role.

pole - a support and / or structure substantially vertical.

pre-folded (s) - previously folded (s).

default (s) - determine, decide and / or set in advance.

prevent - prevent, resist, hinder, prevent, stop and / or prevent it from happening.

probability - a quantitative representation of a probability of an occurrence.

problem - a challenge, opportunity, question to consider, solve and / or answer, and / or a situation, question and / or person that presents perplexity and / or difficulty.

project - calculate, estimate or predict.

promote - facilitate and / or encourage.

protect - try to prevent and / or avoid damage.

protrusion - something that protrudes and / or projects from an object and / or a surface.

provide - supply, give, transmit, send and / or make available.

proximal - closest to a reference point.

rail - a bar, wall, and / or support member that provides a substantially horizontally extending surface that extends between two other support members.

receive - gather, take, acquire, obtain, accept, obtain and / or has been granted.

recommend - suggest, praise, praise and / or endorse.

recycle - use again.

reduce - make and / or convert to less and / or smaller (s).

reinforcement - something that reinforces or strengthens.

relative (s) - considered (s) with reference to and / or compared to something else.

demountable (s) - capable (s) of moving in a substantially non-destructive manner from an occupied location and / or position.

repeatedly - over and over again; repetitively.

request - express a wish and / or request.

look like - exhibit similarity to or similarity to.

resist - avoid, act and / or remain firm against and / or in opposition to the actions, effects and / or force of. rest - do not move and / or lean on.

hold - limit, hold, hold, and / or resist movement in at least one direction.

retainer - a part, device, and / or assembly configured to control, limit, reduce, and / or prevent movement of another part, device, and / or assembly.

root - the usually underground portion of a plant that has no buds, leaves, or nodes and serves as a support, extracts minerals and water from the surrounding soil, and sometimes stores food.

run latch - an arrangement of stacked stretches that extend horizontally where each member of any given span overlaps at least two members of an immediately adjacent span that is positioned directly above the given span.

second (s) - which follows (n) a first thing in an order such as in time, position, selection, etc. secure - hold, stabilize, contain, anchor and / or resist movement.

select - make a choice or selection of alternatives.

separate (s) - different (s); separate - disjoin, space, set or keep apart and / or position intermediate with respect to.

separator - an object and / or portion of an object that is configured to separate one thing from another.

serve - provide.

set - a related plurality of predetermined elements; and / or one or more articles and / or distinct entities that have a specific common property or properties.

setback - a step-like recession in a wall.

short (s) - less than a predetermined dimension, duration and / or scope.

side - a surface that borders a solid object.

alone - that exists alone and / or that consists of an entity.

size - physical dimensions, proportions, magnitude, quantity and / or extent of an entity; have the size -determine physical dimensions, proportions, magnitude, quantity and / or extent of an entity.

slope - a stretch of land that forms a natural or artificial slope, or, with respect to a first point and a second point that intersect by a straight line, a ratio of the change in ordinal value from the first point to the second point, at change in the abscissa value from the first point to the second point; and / or a measure of a degree of inclination; and / or a rate of change.

sock - a tube that has a mesh wall and / or one or more closed and / or closable ends.

solid (s) - neither liquid (s) nor gaseous (s), but, instead, in a defined way.

solve - find an answer to a problem.

some - a subset of.

space - an empty space.

stabilize - make and / or keep stable.

stable (s) - firm (s) in position and / or balance, firm (s), durable (s) and / or permanent (s).

cell - a cell and / or group substantially in order, especially arranged / or in and / or defined / or in layers; stack-place and / or arrange in a pile.

stress concentration - a substantial increase in peak stress and / or localized high stress that occurs at and / or close to dimensional changes and / or discontinuities (eg, holes, protrusions, grooves, notches, pointed corners, fillets , cracks, etc.) of an object.

stop - a device configured to stop, limit, resist, and / or prevent movement of another device.

strip - a relatively thin band that has an elliptical, rectangular and / or polygonal cross section, and used to hold and / or clamp one or more objects together and / or in position.

stem - the main ascending part of a plant.

stress - an applied force or system of forces that tends to limit and / or deform a body, and / or the internal resistance of a body to said applied force or system of forces.

strut - a structural element used to reinforce or strengthen a structure using tensile or compressive strength.

substantial (s) - considerable (s) and / or large (s), but not necessarily all (s) and / or integer (s), in extent and / or degree.

substantially - to a considerable and / or large extent and / or degree, but not necessarily all and / or integer (s).

so that - in a way that results in.

bear - bear the weight of, especially from below.

surface - the outer boundary of an object and / or a layer of material that constitutes and / or resembles that boundary. surround - simultaneously spread on all sides, surround, encompass and / or confine all sides. hold - hold, hold and / or carry.

system - a set of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles of manufacture, processes, data and / or instructions, the set designed to carry out one or more specific functions.

terminal - an end, end and / or last member; and / or of, in, in relation to, and / or forming a boundary, border, extremity and / or extreme.

textured (s) - not soft.

that - a pronoun used to indicate a thing as stated, mentioned above, present and / or known.

through that (the) (s) - at one end and outside another end of an object and / or that passes completely through an opening.

through - along, between and / or on one side and outside the opposite side and / or other side of.

tilt - tip over, fall, push and / or knock down.

para - a preposition configured to express purpose.

to - used to indicate a destination and / or in a physical and / or logical direction of.

traditional wall construction material - concrete, stucco, plaster, masonry, brick, block, mortar, cement compound, clay, stone, tile, rustic wood, wood, wood composite, reeds, bamboo, straw, glass, metal, aluminum, cast iron and / or steel.

transform - change into: measurable shape, appearance, nature and / or character.

trunk - the main stem of a tree or shrub, usually thick and vertical, covered with bark and bearing branches some distance from the ground.

tube - an elongated member that has a longitudinal axis and that defines a longitudinal cross section that resembles any closed shape, such as a circle, a non-circle, such as an oval (which can generally include a shape that is substantially in the form of a stadium, ellipse, limagon, cardioid, Cartesian oval, and / or Cassini oval, etc.), and / or a polygon such as a triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon , the shape of the letter "D", the shape of the letter "P", etc. Accordingly, a right circular cylinder is one shape of a tube, an elliptical cylinder is another shape of a tube having an elliptical longitudinal cross section, and a generalized cylinder is even another shape of a tube. A tube can be formed of a mesh material, and can be filled with a filler material.

tubular - having substantially the shape of a tube and / or pipe; and / or having a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape.

two - a cardinal number equal to one plus one.

uniquely - unambiguously, clearly and / or with a very low margin of error.

superior - in a high position with respect to something else.

vertical - substantially perpendicular to horizontal.

by - by means of, with and / or by using.

wall - a partition, structure and / or mass that serves to encompass, divide, separate, segregate, define, secure, stabilize and / or protect, at least partially, a volume of material such as earth, a land slope and / or a mound of earth.

undercut - a relatively rapid form of erosion and / or transport of soil and / or sand by water from an established location, such as caused by a sudden rush of water, a downpour and / or flood. weight - a force with which a body is drawn to Earth or another celestial body, equal to the product of the object's mass and the acceleration of gravity; and / or a factor and / or value assigned to a number in a calculation, such as when determining an average, to make the effect of the number in the calculation reflect its importance, significance, preference, impact, etc.

weld - join (metals) by applying heat, sometimes with pressure and sometimes with an intermediate or filler metal that has a high melting point.

where - with respect to which (to which); and; and / or in addition to.

which / which - a pronoun adapted to be used in sentences to represent a specified antecedent. wire - an elongated metal or metal-based material, where all the diameters of the cross-sectional area taken at right angles to its length are substantially the same dimension, and the cross-sectional area is small enough to allow flexibility and / or or substantial elasticity and allowing bending and / or bending without substantial metal flow.

with - accompanied by.

within - within the limits of.

wrap - wrap, hold, fold, or tie (something) around as a cover and / or stand. zone - an area and / or region distinguished from adjacent parts by a distinctive feature and / or characteristic.

Claims (27)

1. A retaining wall system (4000) configured to substantially stabilize a slope formed from earth material (3800), the retaining wall system comprising: a stabilizer wall comprising multiple stacked sections consisting of one or more tubes (4200, 4202) extending substantially horizontally, each tube substantially filled with a plant growth medium; multiple modular tube retainers (1100, 4100, 4102) configured together to substantially resist tipping and bowing of a roughly flat main face of the stabilizer wall, the slope located distal to the main face; and where: each filled mesh tube has a substantially oval longitudinal cross section; Each tube retainer comprises an interlocking, pre-bent, substantially open rear wire mesh element defining a substantially flat base portion (1120) integrally connecting to a substantially flat face portion (1140), the portion of base configured to be in direct contact with and to support substantially a bottom portion of a tube of the single or more mesh tubes extending substantially horizontally, the face portion configured to be in direct contact with a front portion of said tube , the base portion configured to extend substantially horizontally from the face portion towards the ground material by a distance that is greater than a longitudinal cross-sectional dimension of the tube; each tube retainer defines multiple retainer openings that are configured to substantially allow plant roots and soil material (3800) to pass substantially vertically through those in an area within the retaining wall system that is distal to the main face; Each tube retainer is substantially stabilized by at least one reinforcing strip (1500) that extends through a portion of the ground material, but does not wrap or wrap around a corresponding tube; each reinforcing strip is wound through an opening confined by a handle (1700) extending substantially horizontally from a corresponding tube retainer; Each handle has a diameter of at least 0.5 inch. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The tube retainers are configured to allow the stems, stems, branches and / or leaves of rooted plants in the tubes to grow substantially away from the tube retainers. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein: The tube retainers are configured to allow the rooted plants in the tubes to grow to an extent that the plants, in 3 years, substantially cover the main face of the wall. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: each lower portion is configured to allow the roots of the plants to extend approximately vertically through them. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: Each tube defines mesh openings that are configured to allow plant roots to extend substantially through them. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: each tube retainer comprises one or more protrusions configured to substantially resist movement of the tube in a substantially horizontal direction. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: Each handle is configured to substantially reduce the stress concentrations on its corresponding strip. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein: the tubes are configured to substantially separate the plant growth medium from the soil material and to substantially prevent erosion and / or undermining of the plant growth medium. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein: Each tube retainer is configured for an irrigation conduit extending at least one of: substantially through the tube retainer; substantially through a tube retained by said tube retainer; substantially between the tube and an adjacent tube; and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein: an irrigation conduit extends substantially longitudinally through at least one of the tubes. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein: the multiple tube retainers are substantially interlocked. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein: each face portion defines a portion of the main face. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the face portions is connected to its corresponding base portion by a strut. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the face portions is configured at a predetermined angle to provide a predetermined contour, inclination and / or setback to one or more of the spans with respect to a span below. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the face portions is configured at a predetermined angle to provide a predetermined contour, inclination and / or setback to one or more of the sections with respect to a section below; and the predetermined angle is from about 45 degrees from horizontal to about 85 degrees from horizontal. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the face portions is textured and / or colored to substantially resemble a traditional wall construction material. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein: Each tube has a minimum mesh opening size of approximately 0.050 inches. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein: the multiple reinforcing strips are configured to substantially resist wall tipping loads and / or wall bow loads. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein: each of one or more of the reinforcing strips is substantially displaced from contact with the corresponding tube retainer by a corresponding sleeve, the sleeve configured to substantially protect the strip from substantial damage caused by direct contact of the strip with the retainer tube. 20. The system of claim 1, wherein: each of one or more of the reinforcing strips is substantially displaced from contact with a wire of the corresponding tube retainer by a corresponding sleeve, the sleeve configured to substantially protect the strip from substantial damage caused by direct contact of the strip with the wire, the sleeve located proximal to a wire more distal to a horizontal portion of the tube retainer. 21. The system of claim 1, wherein: No filter cloth or geotextile substantially separates the ground material from an exterior of any tube from the multiple tubes. 22. The system of claim 1, wherein: none of the tubes is enveloped by a geotextile. 23. The system of claim 1, wherein: each of the multiple tube retainers is stackable with each of the other tube retainers of the multiple tube retainers. 24. The system of claim 1, wherein: each of the multiple tube retainers is nestable with each of the other tube retainers of the multiple tube retainers. 25. The system of claim 1, wherein: each tube retainer is configured to substantially promote growth of plant roots out of a first tube and into an adjacent second tube. 26. The system of claim 1, wherein: each tube retainer is configured to substantially promote growth of plant roots out of a first tube and into a vertically adjacent second tube. 27. The system of claim 1, wherein: each tube retainer is configured to substantially promote the growth of plant roots out of a first tube and into a horizontally adjacent second tube.