EP0791689A1 - Artificial stone for reinforcing outdoor traffic areas - Google Patents

Abstract

An artificial stone (1) is specified for fastening traffic areas in the open, the stone being provided on its side surfaces (3, 4) with integrally molded spacing cams (5, 6) which are of identical design to form wide joints between adjacent stones , the free end faces of the spacing cams (5, 6) lying one on top of the other have a tooth (10) and a recessed contact surface (11) for the tooth (10) of the stone (1) laid next to one another, the sequence of teeth ( 10) and contact surface (11) for all spacing cams (5, 6) are of the same type, in the case of a stone the effective length of the individual side faces parallel to the laying plane is the simple or integral multiple of a smallest effective length, each the smallest effective length (3, 4) having side surface section is provided with a spacer cam (5, 6), and the center axis (12) of all spacer cams (5 , 6) lies on the center of the associated side surface section. It is provided that the contact surfaces are designed as a tooth gap (11) corresponding to the size of the tooth (10) and encompassing it on both sides in the direction parallel to the laying plane and the associated side surface, such that the flanks of the tooth (10) pointing in the direction mentioned on the one hand and the tooth gap (11) on the other hand enclose an angle of at least 90 °, and that the bisector (42, 43) of this angle is arranged essentially parallel to the perpendicular to the associated side surface. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an artificial stone, in particular made of concrete, for fastening traffic areas outdoors, the stone being provided with integrally molded spacer cams which are completely identical to one another and are formed on its side faces perpendicular to the laying plane and essentially parallel to one another, in order to form wide joints between adjacent stones Free end faces of the spacing cams lying one on top of the other in the direction of the laying plane and the associated side faces next to one another have a tooth and a recessed contact surface for the tooth of the adjacent stone, in one direction of rotation of the stone the sequence of teeth and contact surface is the same for all spacing cams, for a stone the effective length of the individual side faces parallel to the laying plane is the simple or integer multiple of a smallest effective length, each side having the smallest effective length is provided with a spacing cam, and the center axis of all spacing cams lying between the tooth and contact surface and parallel to the laying plane and perpendicular to the assigned side surface lies on the center of the associated side surface section.

Artificial stones of this type, with which plates, in particular made of concrete, are also to be enclosed here, can optionally be formed over the entire surface with a structured surface. However, stones or slabs with openings, for example so-called grass pavers, may also be used, in which the openings can also be filled with soil and grass seeded in order to give the surface covered with the stones a natural appearance.

So that a wide joint for filling with a mineral mixture or soil and for grass sowing is also created between adjacent stones, the stones are equipped with spacing cams in the manner mentioned at the beginning, which determine the width of the joint with their extension directed perpendicular to the assigned side wall.

The formation of joints and possibly also the perforations of the stones also serve to absorb surface water that occurs, so that the drainage can be eliminated or at least relieved of the load on surfaces covered with stones of the type in question.

Since all spacing cams are of the same design and have the same effect, no special attention is required when laying. Rather, the stones, as they come into the operator's hand, can be attached to stones that have already been laid, thus eliminating any time and effort involved in determining the type of cams that are available in the stones already laid to determine then correctly position the next stone to be laid by turning. Overall, the time required for the laying work is considerably reduced.

The dimensioning of the stone is linked to the fact that for stones intended for a laying pattern, their size usually results from one or more times a smallest basic size. With this smallest basic size, the effective side length is the side length of the stone itself plus twice half of the joints adjoining the side in its longitudinal direction, the size or width of which in turn results from the size of the spacer cams provided, which is effective in relation to the neighboring stone. However, if a stone in a longitudinal direction has, for example, three times the basic size, then in this longitudinal direction the middle length section of the stone corresponds to the effective length of the basic size, while the length sections of the side adjoining it on both sides correspond to a length section of the stone itself plus the half the width of the joint adjoining in this longitudinal direction.

If the spacing cams are arranged in the manner mentioned at the beginning of such a stone design, then adjacent stones always fit together in accordance with the grid given by the basic size, whereby the fineness of the grading of the mutual offset of adjacent stones can also be determined by this grid. The more finely this gradation is desired, the smaller the basic size of the grid is to be selected, to have the sufficient number of spacing cams next to each other available for a given size for the mutual offset of adjacent stones.

In the known stones of the type described in detail above, however, the spacing cams of adjacent stones in the direction of the laying plane and the associated side surfaces come into positive engagement only via the mutually facing flanks of the teeth which then stand next to one another, which, however, leads to a bond which corresponds accordingly is effective in one direction only. This results in a covering which, in terms of its strength parallel to the laying plane, does not withstand all the loads that usually occur, in that the individual stones can move against one another in the opposite direction to the positive engagement mentioned, or have the possibility of performing a rotary movement within the composite. This possibility of movement leads to correspondingly particularly stressful areas of the covering that the stones are released under gradual twisting with the resulting risk of damage to the covering. Such particularly stressed areas arise, for example, in particular where the steering of heavy vehicles is frequently operated when driving slowly or even at a standstill. This disadvantage of the known stones was apparently accepted with a view to allowing their unimpeded laying in the corners of a section of a covering that had already been laid at an angle.

Proceeding from this, it is an object of the invention to further develop an artificial stone of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that, with respect to adjacent stones, their mutual connection is guaranteed in both directions parallel to the stone side faces, and nevertheless the unimpeded normal possibility of laying the stones by essentially horizontal movement compared to stones already laid consists.

This object is achieved on the basis of an artificial stone of the type mentioned at the outset in that the contact surfaces are designed as a tooth gap corresponding to the size of the tooth and encompassing it on both sides in the direction parallel to the laying plane and associated side surface, in that the flanks of the tooth pointing in the direction mentioned on the one hand and the tooth gap on the other hand enclose an angle of at least 90 °, and that the bisector of this angle is arranged essentially parallel to the perpendicular to the associated side surface.

Through these measures according to the invention it is first of all ensured that the teeth are supported parallel to the laying plane and the respectively assigned side surface on both sides by the corresponding tooth gap, so that the respective stone no longer has any possibility of horizontal forces parallel to the course of the joint, adjacent to one another from the positive connection laid stones by moving or turning to loosen an axis perpendicular to the laying plane. The stability of the covering produced with the aid of the artificial stones according to the invention is thus not only opposite the loads from a straight-moving traffic, but also against such extreme load cases that exert a torque on the stones about an axis perpendicular to the laying plane.

On the other hand, however, a normal possibility of laying the stones is still guaranteed, because the design of the angle according to the invention in any case allows the stones to be inserted into the corner of an angle formed by adjacent stones by an essentially horizontal movement.

In the context of the invention, it is expedient that the flanks of the tooth and the tooth gap enclose an angle of 90 °, since in this way a maximum degree of mutual connection of stones laid next to one another and thus a maximum degree of stability of the covering produced with these stones is achieved. The flanks of the tooth and the tooth gap can have a straight-line course, which will usually be offered as a simple design. However, there is also the possibility that the flanks of the tooth and the tooth gap have a course deviating from a flat surface, that is to say, for example, they are curved. It is then only essential that the average inclinations of the flanks enclose the angle of at least 90 °. Of course, only those flank designs can be used that do not impair the laying of the stones.

As for the formation of the end faces of the spacer cams concerns, it can be provided that the end face of the tooth and corresponding to the tooth gap of the spacing cams - parallel to the laying plane - has an acute-angled, frustoconical or arcuate course.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the spacing cams are arranged in a lowered manner in relation to the upper edge of the stone facing away from the laying plane in the direction of the laying plane. As a result, after laying the stones, there is also enough space for soil above the cams, so that continuous joints between adjacent stones result in this regard.

For the stones themselves, it can be provided that these have a square, rectangular, hexagonal, L-shaped, Z-shaped, T-shaped or double-T-shaped cross section parallel to the laying plane.

In particular for large-area stones, it can be advantageous in a further development of the inventive concept that the stone is divided by at least one wide joint and that the stone parts thus formed are connected to one another by firmly formed common bridges, these bridges being able to be designed in accordance with the spacing cams in terms of their arrangement . Here, for a larger stone, the impression of a unit composed of smaller individual stones, possibly of different sizes, is simulated in favor of the desired laying pattern, but without the need to also individually lay a corresponding number of smaller individual stones.

Finally, it can be provided that the stone is combined with other stones of the same or different size to form a laying unit, which results in the possibility of laying by mechanical means.

Figur 1

einen quadratischen Stein mit erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Nocken;

Figur 2

mehrere nebeneinander verlegte Steine gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3 und 4

nach Art der Figur 2 verlegte Steine jedoch mit abgewandelter Ausbildung der Abstandsnocken;

Figur 5

mehrere im Fischgrätverband verlegte, länglich rechteckige Steine;

Figur 6

eine abgewandelte Steingestaltung in L-Form;

Figur 7

einen sechseckigen Stein mit erfindungsgemäßer Ausbildung und Anordnung der Abstandsnocken und

Figur 8

einige nebeneinander verlegte Steine gemäß Figur 7.

Further features and details essential to the invention result from the following description of embodiments which are shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a square stone with cams designed according to the invention;

Figure 2

several stones laid side by side according to FIG. 1;

Figures 3 and 4

stones laid in the manner of FIG. 2, however, with a modified design of the spacing cams;

Figure 5

several oblong rectangular stones laid in the herringbone bandage;

Figure 6

a modified L-shaped stone design;

Figure 7

a hexagonal stone with inventive design and arrangement of the spacer cams and

Figure 8

some stones laid side by side according to FIG. 7.

Figure 1 shows a square stone 1, which is made up of four times a square basic size 2 according to the center lines shown. The side surfaces 3, 4 of each basic size 2 carry a spacer cam 5, 6. Due to the presence of this Distance cams gives the effective length of each basic size 2 in the present case from the side length 3 or 4 plus half the width of the joint 7 to a neighboring block 8, that is to the size designated by the number 9.

The end faces of the cams 5, 6 each have a tooth 10 and a matching tooth gap 11 next to one another, the teeth 10 and the tooth gaps 11 of all spacer cams 5, 6 lying next to one another in the same order as seen in a direction of rotation of the stone 1. As a result, the mutually facing end faces of the spacing cams of adjacent stones 1, 8 fit into one another in a form-fitting manner such that the stones cannot be displaced relative to one another parallel to the plane of the drawing and the facing side faces.

The positioning of the spacer cams 5, 6 is also carried out equally with respect to all effective lengths 9 and in such a way that the center axes 12 of all spacer cams are positioned on the center of the effective length 9.

The flanks of both the teeth 10 and the tooth gaps 11 enclose a matching angle 40, 41, the size of which is at least 90 °, preferably 90 °, and the bisector 42, 43 for perpendicular to the associated stone side surface, which is defined by the central axis 12 may be represented for the stone side surface there, is arranged essentially parallel. This design feature also applies to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 correspondingly, without being mentioned again each time.

Figure 2 shows several stones 1 laid side by side. From this it can be seen that the stones can be laid not only in alignment but also offset with respect to one another, the gradation of the offset being given by the distance between adjacent spacing cams 5 and 6. From this it can be seen that the smaller the basic size 2 according to FIG. 1, the finer this gradation.

FIG. 3 shows stones 13 of the type described with reference to FIG. 1. Here, however, the design of the spacing cams has been modified insofar as an extension 14 corresponding to tooth 10 follows on the side of tooth gap 11 facing away from tooth 10, which essentially means this serves to give the form-fitting combination of adjacent stones greater stability against shear forces acting on the stones.

In the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 3, teeth 10 and tooth gaps 11 or the extensions 14 have an essentially trapezoidal cross section with a correspondingly straight edge profile. In contrast, in the spacing cams 15 of the stones 16 according to FIG. 4, the flanks of the teeth 17 or the tooth gaps 18 are designed to be curved to match one another. As far as the angle 40, 41 discussed with reference to FIG. 1 is concerned, these apply accordingly in FIG. 4 to the flank inclination at the base of the teeth 17 or at the opening the tooth gaps 18.

FIG. 5 shows elongated rectangular stones 20 laid in the herringbone bandage, which are now composed of six times the basic size 2. Accordingly, there are three spacer cams 6 next to each other on a stone side, which then shows that the effective side length of the mean basic size corresponds to the actual length section 21 of the stone side there, because no distance cams 5 follow this length section in the direction of this stone side.

FIG. 6 shows, based on stones of the type described with reference to FIG. 1, a possibility of forming a larger number of such stones as a uniform, in the present case L-shaped laying unit. For this purpose, three such stone parts 22, 23, 24, where they would normally adjoin each other via spacing cams 5, 6, are connected to one another by bridges 25 or the unit is divided by joints 26, 27, so that after only one operation If the unit is installed, the impression of three stones laid side by side according to FIG. 1 is created. In this way, considerable time can be saved during the laying work.

FIG. 7 shows a hexagonal stone 30 with sides of equal length and cams 31 of the type corresponding to cams 5 and 6 according to FIG. 1. For the size of the effective length 32 of the smallest side surface length, the statements made with reference to FIG. 1 apply here accordingly, the effective Length 32 only insofar is shorter, as is caused by the angle of 90 ° between adjacent sides of the stone 30. The statements made with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 also apply correspondingly to the design and positioning of the spacing cams 31.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows some of the stones 30 according to FIG. 7 in a form laid next to one another. Again, the pairings of spacing cams shown between the three stones could be replaced by bridges in accordance with the embodiment according to FIG. 6.

Claims (11)

Artificial stone, in particular made of concrete, for fastening traffic areas outdoors, the stone being provided with integrally molded spacing cams that are completely identical to one another, the superimposed free end faces, on its side faces directed perpendicular to the laying plane and essentially parallel to one another, to form wide joints between adjacent stones the spacing cam in the direction of the laying plane and the associated side surfaces next to one another have a tooth and a recessed contact surface for the tooth of the adjacent stone, in a direction of rotation of the stone the sequence of tooth and contact surface is the same for all spacing cams, in the case of a stone that facing the laying plane parallel effective length of the individual side surfaces is the simple or integer multiple of a smallest effective length, each side surface section having the smallest effective length with one r spacing cam is provided and the center axis of all spacing cams, which is between the tooth and contact surface and parallel to the laying plane and perpendicular to the assigned side surface, lies on the center of the associated side surface section,
characterized,
that the contact surfaces are designed as a tooth size (11, 18) corresponding to the size of the tooth (10, 17) and encompassing this on both sides in the direction parallel to the laying plane, that the flanks of the tooth (10, 17) pointing in the mentioned direction on the one hand and the tooth gap (11, 18) on the other hand enclose an angle (40, 41) of at least 90 °, and that the bisector (42, 43) of this angle (40, 41) for perpendicular to the associated side surface (3, 4) essentially is arranged in parallel. Artificial stone according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the flanks of the tooth (10, 17) and the tooth gap (11, 18) enclose an angle (40, 41) of 90 °. Artificial stone according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the flanks of the tooth (10) and the tooth gap (11) have a straight course. Artificial stone according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the flanks of the tooth (17) and the tooth gap (18) have a course deviating from a flat surface, and that the average inclinations of the flanks enclose the angle of at least 90 °. Artificial stone according to one or more of claims 1 to 4,
characterized,
that the end face of the tooth (10, 17) and corresponding to the tooth gap (11, 18) of the spacer cams (5, 6, 15, 31) parallel to the laying plane has an acute-angled, frustoconical or arcuate course. Artificial stone according to one or more of claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that the spacing cams (5, 6, 15, 31) are offset from the upper edge of the stone (1, 13, 16, 20, 30) facing away from the laying plane in the direction of the laying plane. Artificial stone according to one or more of claims 1 to 6,
characterized,
that the stone has a square (1, 13, 16), rectangular (20), hexagonal (30), L-shaped (22 to 24), Z-shaped, T-shaped or double-T-shaped cross section parallel to the laying plane . Artificial stone according to one or more of claims 1 to 7,
characterized,
that the stone is divided by at least one wide joint (24, 25) and that the stone parts (22 to 24) thus formed are connected to one another by firmly formed common bridges (25). Artificial stone according to claim 8,
characterized,
that the bridges (25) are designed in accordance with the arrangement of the spacer cams (5, 6, 15, 31). Artificial stone according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized,
that the stone parts (22 to 24) have a different size. Artificial stone according to one or more of claims 1 to 10,
characterized,
that it is combined with other stones of the same or different sizes to form a laying unit.

Images