EP2851469B1 - Improved self-locking concrete tile - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of the road surfacing industry and the like, in particular concrete pavers and relates to a block of self-locking concrete.

Currently, there are different types of concrete pavers for producing surfaces for vehicular traffic or simple surfaces intended for passages, only periodic, vehicles or for parking purposes. Such pavers are generally provided with interlocking means allowing their locking in two directions in the horizontal plane, these means being often geometric shapes provided on the edges of said pavers and having an inverse symmetry between the parallel edges of the pavers.

In addition, the known pavers are equipped with spacers elements also provided on their edges and to ensure the formation of a separation seal to be filled by a sand filling.

The known pavers make it possible to respond relatively correctly to the requirements for blocking and anti-dislodging out of a laid surface in cases where very strict circulation criteria can be fulfilled, namely relatively low speeds of movement generating very weak vibrations.

Indeed, the existing pavers, self-locking type or not, have perfectly vertical edges, as well as the spacers with which they are equipped, so that the grouting sand only allows to achieve, by vibration, an effective blocking, following both directions in the horizontal plane.

We also know, by DE-U-202 01 877 a block provided with spacers having a decreasing section from the base to the apparent face and which do not have a point contact of their base with that of the adjacent blocks. In addition, there is a longitudinal and transverse clearance that does not allow to obtain an effective block blocking. In addition, the shoulder provided in this document does not allow closure of the seal at the laying bed, so that the seal sand can pour into the laying bed during vibration. Finally, the spacers are not in contact at all their height.

Otherwise, EP-A-1,036,882 describes a type of block similar to that described in the previous document and calls the same remarks. This block also does not allow to obtain a resistance "anti-pulling", the spacers being only intended to ensure positioning during installation and destroying during the vibration of the laid surface.

DE-U-297 21 360 discloses a block provided with locking means, but without interpenetration, wherein the spacing elements are only provided on a part of the height from the base, thus ensuring a uniform apparent seal does not appear said distancers.

However, in the case of a large circulation and at a relatively high speed on such paving stones, the induced vibrations tend to successively cause faults of very small width on the parallel edges, so that each passage said blocks realize a corresponding micro displacement. It follows that after a shorter or longer period of service, the grouting sand between the pavers tends to move partially under the latter to obtain a clearance with neighboring blocks. In addition, this game can be increased due to an erosion up the cobblestones due to mechanical and meteorological demands, which has the consequence, during a passage of a vehicle, lifting said pavers by an effect pneumatic suction cup said vehicles on the outer surface of said pavers. This results in a rapid deterioration of the square surface and the formation of spurious noises due to the clash following vibrations and the clash, or even loosening of said pavers, which is particularly painful for residents.

Finally, we know, by WO-A-0009808 a block having on two consecutive sides spacers that can interlock each other to ensure "anti-pulling". However, such blocks are made by extremely difficult molding and require a specific fitting by interlocking sides, practically unrealizable with laying machines and causing a sliding problem on the sand bed, without driving the latter, when manual installation. Finally, the manufacture and installation of such pavers are cost price incompatible with industrial implementation.

In addition, it was proposed by EP-A-1,705,289 , a block of self-locking concrete, provided on its longitudinal and transverse edges means in the form of a truncated pyramid or truncated cone, wherein said spacing means are arranged on either side of semi-cylindrical spacers and join in pairs, by their base, the generatrix of the corresponding spacer most away from the block, each distance means being, in the interpenetration of the pavers in the laying position, in contact by a point with the longitudinal or transverse edge of the neighboring block and by a point with a corresponding spacing of the neighboring block, the spacers being in contact all their height with the corresponding edge of the neighboring block by a line.

Such a block makes it possible to largely obviate the majority of the disadvantages of the pavers existing to date, but can not guarantee for a long time an absolute locking against tearing, due to possible wear of the spacers at their contact points causing a migration of grouting sand to the laying bed and thus a game between neighboring blocks.

Finally, we know, by EP-A-2,527,533 a block of self-locking concrete, provided on its longitudinal and transverse edges means distance, arranged on both sides of spacers. This block has polygonal base-shaped pyramidal trunk spacers that cooperate, in shape, with the base of the spacing means of the neighboring blocks, during the interpenetration of the blocks in the laying position, and the spacers are arranged in the median vertical axis of the means spacers, have a form of half-truncated cone or half-truncated pyramid, whose large base extends at the polygonal base of the corresponding spacing means, partially projecting relative thereto, each spacer cooperating with a corresponding vertical recess, provided in the edge of the neighboring block and whose section is equal to that of the large base of the spacer and constant over the entire height of the block.

Such a block of self-locking concrete ensures a self-locking position, both in the plane of the laying surface perpendicular to this plane, that is to say, avoiding tearing in traffic conditions.

However, the visible presence of the spacers at the joints is not compatible with certain aesthetic requirements, including linear continuity of the joints.

The subject of the present invention is a self-locking concrete paver which, like the paving stone according to EP-A-2,527,533 on the one hand, to simultaneously ensure self-locking in both directions of the horizontal laying plane, as well as locking in position against tearing, by eliminating any play between blocks and, on the other hand, to achieve a linear continuity of the joints, while being a simple implementation and manufacturing.

For this purpose, the block of self-locking concrete, provided on its longitudinal and transverse edges with means spacers, arranged on either side of spacers said spacers being arranged between the means and spacers cooperating, by form, with said means distancers neighboring blocks, during the interpenetration of the pavers in the laying position, is characterized in that the distance means are each constituted by a pair of vertical tabs with a polygonal base or a portion of a circle projecting from the edge of the pavement and whose apex is in the form of a truncated pyramid or portion of a truncated cone, and in that said vertical tongues delimit between them, on the edge of the pavement, a vertical recess of constant section and of receiving a corresponding spacer protruding on the edge of the neighboring pavement

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un pavé conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en plan, à plus grande échelle, du pavé ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en élévation du pavé suivant la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en plan d'un ensemble de pavés posés, avec deux agrandissements partiels au niveau de la jonction de pavés voisins ; et
• la figure 5 est une vue en élévation à plus grande échelle représentant le joint entre deux pavés posés, en coupe.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which refers to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a pavement according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of the pavement;
• the figure 3 is an elevation view of the pavement following the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a plan view of a set of pavers laid, with two partial enlargements at the junction of neighboring pavers; and
• the figure 5 is an elevational view on a larger scale showing the joint between two laid pavers, in section.

The Figures 1 and 2 appended drawings are a self-blocking paver 1 made of concrete intended to be laid on traffic lanes, parking areas or other. This block 1 is provided on its longitudinal edges 2 and transverse 3 with distance means 4, arranged on either side of spacers 5, arranged between the distance means 4 and cooperating, by form, with said means 4 spacers neighboring blocks, during the interpenetration of the pavers in the laying position ( figure 4 ).

According to the invention, the distance means 4 are each constituted by a pair of vertical tongues 41 having a polygonal base or a portion of a circle projecting from the edge of the pavement and whose apex is in the form of a truncated pyramid or portion of truncated cone, and in that said vertical tabs 41 delimit between them, on the edge of the block 1, a vertical recess 42 of constant section and receiving a corresponding spacer 5, projecting from the edge of the block neighbour ( Figures 1 to 4 ).

The distance means 4 and the spacers 5 are arranged on said longitudinal and transverse edges 2 3 in inverse symmetry, respectively with respect to the transverse central axis and the longitudinal median axis. Thus, it is possible to obtain a paver apparatus 1 by which the transverse edges and the longitudinal edges of pavers 1 adjacent by their longitudinal edges and by their transverse edges are perfectly aligned ( figure 4 ). In addition, this arrangement also allows a staggered laying, with longitudinal offset of the blocks 1, and a laying at right angles, a block 1 being arranged perpendicularly to another block 1, with alignment of the longitudinal edge of the one with the transverse edge of the other.

This arrangement of the pavers 1 is ensured by the cooperation of the spacers 5 with the corresponding vertical recesses 42 delimited between the vertical tongues 41 constituting the spacing means 4 of the neighboring blocks, as shown in FIG. figure 4 attached drawings. It results from this interpenetration that each distance means 4 is in contact, by the vertical tongues 41, on the one hand, with a spacer 5 and, on the other hand, with a longitudinal edge 2 or transverse 3 of a neighboring block 1 . This arrangement of the distance means 4 and the spacers 5, projecting on the transverse edges 3 and the longitudinal edges 2 of the blocks 1 allows to obtain a linear continuity of the joints between the blocks 1, said spacer means 4 and spacers 5 s extending entirely into the jointing space between pavers 1.

In addition, the gap 7 delimited between the truncated pyramid-shaped peaks or truncated cone portion of the tongues 41 defines a corner filled with grouting sand preventing tearing of pavers 1 laid.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the distance means 4 and the spacers 5 advantageously have a height less than that of the block 1, their vertex preferably extending below the level of the upper edge of said block 1. Thus, in the position of installation and after sandblasting the joints, said spacer means 4 and the spacers 5 are completely covered and thus invisible, which contributes to a noticeable improvement in the visual appearance, by producing perfectly linear joints.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one spacer 5 of each longitudinal edge 2 and transverse 3 has a degressive section from the base of the block 1 to the upper end of the spacer 5, thus determining, with the vertical recess 42 delimited between the vertical tongues 41 of the corresponding spacing means 4, a vertical gap 6 'forming a grouting space by sand, with a progressive section from the lower face of the blocks 1 towards their upper face, producing a self compression under a pulling or sagging effort. Thus, the filling of grouting sand not only achieves a stabilization of the blocks in the horizontal plane, but also forms a means of self-locking in cooperation with the distance means 4 and the spacers 5.

The formation of this self-locking means results from the fact that an attempt to tear off a block has the effect of inducing a displacement of the grouting sand at the spacers 5 and distance means 4, which has the effect a simultaneous compression of the grouting sand, this compression being effected, in fact, in cascade and resulting in a total blocking preventing tearing.

Because of the conformation of the spacers means 4 and the spacers 5 pavers 1 laid are fully in mutual contact by their base resting on the laying bed, the vertical gaps 6, between the distance means 4 and section spacers 5 (and / or width) constant, filled with grouting sand to perfect the holding pavers against any risk of shifting or tilting, which could cause destabilization of the set of pavers laid.

In addition, because of the contact of the bases of the blocks 1 over virtually their entire length and width and the penetration of the spacers 5 in the means 4 spacers, an initial tilting of the blocks, which would be due to an initial game at said bases is made impossible, so that a tearing or loosening of a pavement, by a complementary clamping effect on one side during a tearing attempt or following a suction effect caused by a tread moved at a high speed on a surface thus paved, is completely avoided. Indeed, not only the blocks 1 can not move in a horizontal plane, because, on the one hand, the interpenetration of the distance means 4 and spacers 5 and, on the other hand, because of the filling of vertical interstices 6 by the grouting sand, which prevent pivoting of the blocks 1 relative to each other and, in this way, tearing or sagging, especially mechanically.

To perfect the resistance to subsidence, particularly in the case of heavy traffic, it is provided, according to another characteristic of the invention and as shown by the Figures 1, 3 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, that the block 1 is provided, on at least two opposite faces of the longitudinal edges 2 and / or transverse 3, at least one distance means 4 ', at least one vertical tongue 41' is shorter than the vertical tongues 41 of the means 4 spacers and whose apex extends to a level lower than that of the vertical tongues 41, determining a corresponding vertical gap 7 'between the vertical tongue 41 of the means spacer 4 previous and that (tab) 41', of the distance means 4 '.

Preferably, a distance means 4 'of smaller height is advantageously provided at one end of each longitudinal and transverse edge 3 3, the corresponding end of the transverse edge 3 and longitudinal 2 being provided with a succession of spacers 5 and means distance 4 ( Figures 1, 3 and 5 ). To facilitate understanding, the figure 5 represents, hatched, the distance means 4 and 4 ', and the stiffeners 5 of a block, while the spacer means 4 and 4' and the stiffeners 5 of the other block are shown with a grid mark. The difference in height between the tongue 41 'of the distance means 4' and that of the tongue 41 adjacent is thus very clearly visible.

In other words, and as we clearly see on the figure 5 at least one tongue 41 'of a block cooperates with a tongue 41 of the neighboring associated block.

In order to obtain a more advantageous sand flow, provision is therefore made to produce a tongue 41 'with an acute angle at the apex more pointed or weaker than that of the opposite tongue 41. The vertex of the tongue 41' therefore descends lower before reaching a portion where the section or width of the rectangular base of the tongue 41 'is constant.

The top of the tongue 41 stopping at a level higher than that of the tongue 41 'thus leaving a larger rectangular base forms a kind of asymmetrical funnel for the flow of grouting sand.

Thanks to the elements 41 and 41 'of different geometries (in the form of trapezoid rectangles), one obtains, once the jointing done (cf. figure 5 ), a kind of corridor or channel which narrows down and prevents the pavement from sagging, the sand flowing therein filling the space between said elements 41 and 41 'by blocking the element 41' in an upward direction and the member 41 in a downward direction.

The provision of at least one such distance means 4 'on at least two opposite edges of the block 1 makes it possible to obtain an offset in height between a vertical tongue 41 and a vertical tongue 41' causing the formation of a portion of truncated cone or pyramid shifted downwardly relative to the means 4 spacers and therefore the possibility of a faster throttling of the grouting sand in the corresponding vertical gap 7 '( figure 5 ). By the very fact of the arrangement of the distance means 4 'each time at a corner of the block, it is possible to achieve almost instantaneously preventing the flow of grouting sand at the ends of the block and, thus, to avoid completely the risk of collapse of the latter under a high stress, a collapse of the end subjected to stress being prevented by the jamming of the filling sand in the corresponding vertical gap 7 between the vertical tongue 41 of the means spacer 4 previous and that, 41 ', of the distance means 4'.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to make a self-locking concrete block to ensure a self-locking position, both in the plane of the laying surface and perpendicular to this plane, that is to say avoiding all grubbing and subsidence under traffic conditions, while allowing drainage of runoff water at the base.

In addition, this block can be achieved by implementing the usual molding techniques, that is to say with the use of a single mold, monobloc, and the pose is also achievable simply and quickly.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, especially from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. Self-locking concrete paving block (1) provided on its longitudinal (2) and transverse (3) edges with distancing means (4) arranged on either side of spacers (5), the said spacers (5) being arranged between the distancing means (4) and cooperating, by shape, with the said distancing means (4) of the adjacent paving blocks during interpenetration of the paving blocks in the laid position, characterized in that the distancing means (4) are each constituted by a pair of vertical tongues (41) with a base which is polygonal or in the form of a portion of a circle, the tongues projecting from the edge of the paving block and the top thereof being in the form of a truncated pyramid or of a truncated cone portion, and in that the said vertical tongues (41) delimit between them, on the edge of the paving block (1), a vertical recess (42) of constant cross section for receiving a corresponding spacer (5) projecting from the edge of the adjacent paving block, and in that the paving block is provided, on at least two opposite faces of the longitudinal (2) and/or transverse (3) edges, with at least one distancing means (4') of which at least one vertical tongue (41') is shorter than the vertical tongues (41) of the distancing means (4) and of which the top extends at a lower level than that of the vertical tongues (41), determining a corresponding vertical gap (7') between the vertical tongue (41) of the preceding distancing means (4) and that (41') of the distancing means (4').
2. Paving block according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distancing means (4) and the spacers (5) have a height which is less than that of the paving block (1), their top preferably extending below the level of the upper edge of the said paving block (1).
3. Paving block according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one spacer (5) of each longitudinal (2) and transverse (3) edge has a cross section which is degressive from the base of the paving block (1) towards the upper end of the spacer (5), thus determining, with the vertical recess (42) delimited between the vertical tongues (41) of the corresponding distancing means (4), a vertical gap (6') forming a space for pointing with sand, which space has a cross section which is progressive from the lower face of the paving blocks (1) towards their upper face, producing auto-compression under a pull-out or settlement force.
4. Paving block according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a distancing means (4') of lesser height is provided at an end of each longitudinal (2) and transverse (3) edge, the corresponding end of the transverse (3) and longitudinal (2) edge being provided with a succession of spacers (5) and distancing means (4).

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