Border Walls and Related Systems and Methods

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 18/886,979, filed Sep. 16, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/747,466, filed Jan. 20, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 12,116,798), the contents of which applications are fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present inventions generally pertain to wall structures, and more particularly to wall or fence structures for securing a border, including related systems and methods.

One of the political issues that has been part of the public discourse in recent years in the United States has related to illegal immigration, and to efforts to secure the border between the United States and Mexico with a border wall. The process of building a border wall along parts of the border has commenced. Currently, border walls are being constructed by pouring concrete foundations in place at the border where the wall is to be constructed. The current process generally entails digging a trench, installing steel rebar reinforcement rods in the trench, filling the trench with concrete, suspending bollard fence sections with the lower portions of the bollards disposed in the concrete, bracing the bollard fence sections to hold them in place until the concrete solidifies, and then removing the bracing. This is a time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly process.

As will become apparent from the following descriptions and discussion, the present inventions have been developed to provide a means to construct border walls for less money and in less time in comparison to the above-described process of constructing border walls. As will be seen from the below description, use of the present inventions will enable contractors to greatly expedite the rate at which bollard fence walls can be constructed on-site at the border.

Border walls and related systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a specific embodiment of the present inventions may be a border wall comprising: a plurality of precast concrete base members, each base member including a plurality of openings extending downwardly from a top surface of the base member, one of the openings being a square opening, and the remaining openings being larger than the square opening; and a plurality of bollard fence sections, each bollard fence section including a plurality of bollards, at least one of the plurality of bollards being a match bollard having a square shape adapted for engagement with the square opening in a corresponding base member, each of the plurality of bollards having approximately the same size square cross section, the number of openings in the base members corresponding to the number of bollards, and the plurality of bollards being adapted for positioning in the openings in the base member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each base member includes an alignment notch in a first end of the base member and an alignment protrusion in a second end of the base member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each base member includes a first connector at a first end of the base member and a second connector at a second end of the base member, each connector including an aperture. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each of the openings in the base members other than the square openings is defined by a section of cylindrical tubing, and each of the square openings in the base members is defined by a section of square tubing. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each of the openings in each base member are aligned with and equidistantly spaced from each other. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the openings extend downwardly from the top surface of the base member and partially into the base member, each opening has a longitudinal axis, and each longitudinal axis of each opening is generally disposed in parallel relationship to one another. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the number of bollards in a bollard fence section corresponds to the number of openings in a precast base member, and the spacing and alignment of the bollards correspond to the spacing and alignment of the openings.

In another aspect, the present inventions may include a base member adapted for engagement with a bollard fence section, the bollard fence section including a plurality of bollards, each of the plurality of bollards having approximately the same size square cross section, the base member comprising: a precast concrete base in the form of a rectangular prism and having a top surface, a front side surface, a back side surface opposite the front side surface, a left end surface, and a right end surface opposite the left end surface; and a plurality of openings extending downwardly from the top surface of the base member, one of the openings being a square opening, and the remaining openings being larger than the square opening, at least one of the plurality of bollards being a match bollard having a square shape adapted for engagement with the square opening in the base member, the number of openings in the base member corresponding to the number of bollards, and the plurality of bollards being adapted for positioning in the openings in the base member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each base includes an alignment notch in the first end of the base and an alignment protrusion in the second end of the base. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each base includes a first connector at the first end of the base and a second connector at the second end of the base, each connector including an aperture, a first connector on a first base being adapted for engagement with a second connector on a second base. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each of the openings other than the square opening in the base is defined by a section of cylindrical tubing. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the square opening in the base is defined by a section of square tubing. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each of the openings in the base are aligned with and equidistantly spaced from each other. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the openings extend downwardly from the top surface of the base and partially into the base, each opening has a longitudinal axis, and each longitudinal axis of each opening is generally disposed in parallel relationship to one another. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the number of bollards in the bollard fence section corresponds to the number of openings in the base member, and the spacing and alignment of the bollards correspond to the spacing and alignment of the openings.

In yet another aspect, the present inventions may include a bollard fence section adapted for engagement with a base member, the base member including a plurality of openings extending downwardly from a top surface of the base member, one of the openings being a square opening, and the remaining openings being larger than the square opening, the bollard fence section comprising: a plurality of bollard fence sections, each bollard fence section including a plurality of bollards, at least one of the plurality of bollards being a match bollard having a square shape adapted for engagement with the square opening in the base member, each of the plurality of bollards having approximately the same size square cross section, the number of openings in the base member corresponding to the number of bollards, and the plurality of bollards being adapted for positioning in the openings in the base member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the base member includes an alignment notch in the first end of the base member and an alignment protrusion in the second end of the base member. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the base member includes a first connector at the first end of the base member and a second connector at the second end of the base member, each connector including an aperture. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that each of the openings in the base member other than the square opening is defined by a section of cylindrical tubing, the square opening in the base member is defined by a section of square tubing, and each of the openings in the base member are aligned with and equidistantly spaced from each other. Another feature of this aspect of the present inventions may be that the openings in the base member extend downwardly from the top surface of the base member and partially into the base member, each opening has a longitudinal axis, and each longitudinal axis of each opening is generally disposed in parallel relationship to one another.

Other features, aspects and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following discussion and detailed description.

While the present inventions will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the scope of protection is not intended to limit the inventions to those embodiments. On the contrary, the scope of protection is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the various inventions as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals denote identical elements throughout the several views, there is shown ina perspective view of a section of border wallincluding first and second bollard sectionsandengaged with first and second base membersand, respectively. In a specific embodiment, the base members/are preferably precast with concrete at a facility remote from the border, and then delivered to the border for installation, as further discussed below. Each bollard section/includes a plurality of bollards. In a specific embodiment, the bollardsmay have a square cross section and be made from square metal tubing; the bollardsmay also be situated at a 45 degree angle relative to a front plane of the bollard sections/.is a perspective view showing a section of border wallsimilar to, but showing the base membersandpositioned in a trench.

Referring now to, a perspective view of a base member/is shown. In a specific embodiment, the base members/may be in the form of a rectangular prism, and may be precast from concrete. Each base member/may include a top surface, a front side surface, a back side surfaceopposite the front side surface, a left end surface, and a right end surfaceopposite the left end surface. In a specific embodiment, each base member/may be about six feet high, about one foot ten inches wide, and about eight feet long. Each base member/includes a plurality of openings that partially extend downwardly into the base member/from the top surfaceof the base member/. The number of openings will correspond to the number of bollardsin the bollard fence sections/. The openings are spaced apart corresponding to the spacing of the bollardson the bollard fence sections/. The openings are further illustrated in, which is an end view of a base member/, and in, which is a top view of a base member/. In a specific embodiment, each base member/may include seven circular or cylindrical openingsand one square opening. In a specific embodiment, the depth of each opening/may be about two and one half feet. In a specific embodiment, the circular openingsmay be formed or defined by a pipe or other cylindrical conduit that is precast in place in the base members/during the manufacturing process. In a specific embodiment, each opening/may have a longitudinal axis, and each longitudinal axis of each opening/may be generally disposed in parallel relationship to one another. In a specific embodiment, the openings/may be disposed in aligned relationship and equidistant from each other.

In a specific embodiment, the square openingmay be formed or defined by a section of square tubing or similar structure that is precast in place in the base members/during when the base members/are being manufactured. In a specific embodiment, the square openingmay be preferably positioned generally in a central portion of the base member/and between the circular openings. The size of the square openingis designed so as to closely or snuggly receive, or “match,” one of the bollardson a bollard section/. In a specific embodiment, the interior dimensions of the square openingmay be designed to provide for a clearance between each side of its matching bollardand each corresponding side of the square openingin the range of 1/16 to ⅛ inches. In a specific embodiment, the square openingmay be positioned on the diagonal or at a 45 degree angle relative to the longer sides of the base members/so as to matingly engage with its matching bollard. This can be accomplished by precasting a bollard matching section (e.g., a length of square tubing) in the square openingto match the matching bollardin the bollard sections/. The mating engagement of the matching bollardwith the square openingallows the square openingto support the bollard fence section/without the need for bracing, such as that required with the current border wall manufacturing method described above.

With reference to, in a specific embodiment, the upper corners of each base member/may be provided with connectors. In a specific embodiment, each connectormay be a section of steel “C” channel that is embedded and anchored into the base member/during the precasting process. (See anchorsin, discussed further below). In a specific embodiment, each connectoris provided with an aperture to receive a boltas further explained below. The connectorsfunction to attach the base members/to each other during installation in a trenchat the border, as will be further explained below. This is further depicted, for example, in, which is a perspective view showing two base members/placed end to end in a trench, with the connectorsaligned and secured to one another. The manner in which the connectorsmay be aligned with and connected to each other in a conventional manner with a bolt, nutand washersis shown in.

With reference to, the base members/may be provided with the ability to engage and align the bottom portions of the base members/in end-to-end relationship. In a specific embodiment, as shown in, each base member/may be provided with an alignment notch or recess, which may be centrally located at the bottom of an end of the base member/. In a specific embodiment, the notch/recessmay be in the shape of a triangular prism. In a specific embodiment, as shown in, an opposite end of the base member/may include an alignment protrusion, which may be centrally located at the bottom of said opposite end of the base member/. In a specific embodiment, the protrusionmay be formed from a section of angle iron adapted for engagement with a notch/recessin the shape of a triangular prism. The alignment notch/recessand alignment protrusionare designed for mating engagement. When the base members/are installed in a trenchat the border in end-to-end relationship, they are abutted adjacent one another with an alignment protrusionon one base member/engaged with the alignment notch/recesson its adjacent base member/. In this manner, the alignment protrusionsand alignment notches/recessesmay function to assist in maintaining adjacent base members/in alignment with one another, and so as to assist them in functioning as a joined unit.

As mentioned above, the base members/are preferably precast using concrete at a facility remote from the border, and then delivered to the border for installation. The installation process at the border begins by excavating a trench, as shown for example in. In a specific embodiment, the trenchmay be approximately six feet deep and approximately two feet wide. Next, as shown for example in, the precast base members/are positioned in the trenchin end-to-end abutting relationship. The base members/are leveled horizontally and vertically. Alignment notches and protrusions/on adjacent base members/are engaged, and corresponding connectorsare secured to one another, to secure adjacent base members/to one another. Bolting the corresponding connectorsto one another will maintain top of unit elevation and provide more stability for the base members/. As shown in, shims(such as made from wood) may be positioned near the top of the trenchin void spacesbetween the base members/and the sides of the trenchto assist in horizontally leveling the base members/. The void spacesare then preferably filled with flowable fill such as concrete.

Next, as shown for example in, individual bollard section/are moved into position over a precast concrete base member/, then lowered toward the base member/, and the individual bollardsare guided and inserted into the openings/in the base members/. Referring to, the individual bollardson a bollard section/are shown inserted into their respective corresponding openings/in the base member/. More specifically, a matching bollardis inserted in the match cast square opening. In a specific embodiment, the engagement of the matching bollardwith the match cast square openingfunctions to support the entire bollard section/(without the need for bracing), and position it in proper alignment in relation to its adjacent bollard sections/, as shown for example in.

While the matching bollardsnuggly fits into the matching square opening, the other individual bollardsfit in the circular openingswith open space between each bollardand the side walls of its corresponding circular opening. After a bollard section/is put into place as shown in, fillable flow such as grout or concrete may then be poured in to the circular openingsto fill in the space between the bollardand the sides of its corresponding circular opening.illustrate two bollard sections/installed on and being supported by two base members/to form a wall. Once installed the bollardsare supported in a vertical position by the base members/, and a longitudinal axis of each opening/is likewise disposed in a vertical position.

In light of the above and foregoing description, it can be seen that the present inventions provide advantages and benefits in comparison to the current method of constructing border walls as described above in the “Description of Related Art.” As discussed and shown above, by manufacturing the precast concrete base sections at a location remote from the border, the present inventions enable construction of bollard walls at a much faster rate in comparison to the construction method in current use. With the present inventions, the precast concrete base sections can be quickly positioned in the trench one after another in end-to-end abutting relationship, and connected to one another to form a cohesive and stable foundation to support the bollard fence sections. After the precast concrete base sections are installed in the trench, the individual bollard fence sections can be inserted into the openings on top of the base sections. As explained above, one of the bollards in each fence section is “matched” to one of the openings in the top of a base section. Engagement of that “matched” bollard with its “matched” opening in the base section supports the entire bollard fence section. Filling in the spaces around the other bollards and their corresponding circular openings with grout, concrete or other fillable material adds additional support and stability to wall.

Unlike the current border-wall construction method as discussed above, border walls constructing in accordance with the present invention do not require any bracing of the bollard fence sections until concrete is allowed to set. This reduces construction time, and saves money in reduced material and labor costs. Similarly, unlike the current construction method, use of the present inventions do not require installing rebar in the trench, pouring concrete foundations, using expensive heavy machinery to suspend the bollard fence sections in place with the lower ends of the individual bollards positioned in the concrete (including at just the right depth and with the bollard fence section leveled), and then, as already mentioned, bracing the fence sections to hold them in place while the concrete sets. Thus, it can be seen that the additional expense and construction time of the current construction method is avoided through use of the present inventions.

It is to be understood that the inventions disclosed herein are not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials or embodiments shown and described. Although specific embodiments of the inventions have been described, various modifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalents are also encompassed within the scope of the inventions. Although the present inventions may have been described using a particular series of steps, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present inventions is not limited to the described series of steps. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the claims set forth below. Accordingly, the inventions are therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.