FR2965451A1 - ASSEMBLY FOR REALIZING OR REALIZING A VEGETABLE SURFACE - Google Patents

Abstract

This assembly (101) is intended to produce or produce a vegetated surface on a structure such as roof, frame, terrace, wall, inclined wall of any building or fixed or mobile construction, such as building, house, cottage, cabin, bungalow , pergola, mobile home. It consists of modular elements (102) for receiving a substrate and plants growing on this substrate, the elements (102) being able to be arranged or arranged on the following structure at least one corridor oriented from top to bottom, means being provided for the evacuation of the water towards the bottom of the assembly (101). The elements (102) are each constituted by a bottom (104) to which are connected two side walls (105) opposite one another, the bottom (104) and the side walls (105) receiving said substrate and the plants pushing on it, with connecting means elements (102) placed end to end by their open sides to form a corridor in which the water can flow from top to bottom for drainage. At least one device for holding / retaining the substrate is arranged transversely to the corridor, said device comprising at least one passage allowing drainage

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for producing or producing a vegetated surface. Planted surfaces, especially green roofs, are now very popular because they contribute to the aesthetics of the houses or buildings on which they are built and which, from the ecological point of view, constitute a real " green lung, "releasing oxygen and fixing CO2. The realization of these surfaces however poses difficulties in particular because the water which sprinkles the plants planted in substrates generally placed in tanks must be able to be drained. Therefore, many embodiments of green roof bins provide for openings for the evacuation of water. It is then necessary to provide between the cover of the roof and the bottoms of the tanks devices to guide the water without jeopardizing the tightness of the cover. However, none of the known devices of the present applicant on the market is satisfactory. Anyway, if a seal fault appears, it is generally inconvenient to repair it. However, US Pat. No. 4,800,675 and International Application PCT 2007050042 disclose sealed containers for green roofs. However, these bins are relatively complex in shape. The applicant has sought a solution to these problems in order to be able to propose an assembly that is easy to manufacture and put into place from waterproof modular elements, with an effective draining system for the evacuation of water. For this purpose, according to the present invention, modular elements are provided, each having the general shape of a flattened U, arranged to be able to fit together simply in both directions in order to form a network of parallel corridors in which are disposed the substrate and plants growing on it. These corridors are sloped to follow the slope of the existing roof. They will be vertical or substantially vertical in the case of a green wall. In the case where it is desired to equip a flat roof or a terrace, it will be arranged so that the corridors formed by the modular elements follow a slope, even very slight (for example by 5%) to ensure the flow water down. Water is collected in the rainwater drainage system of the roof.

The bottom of these corridors can advantageously comprise nipples allowing a good distribution of water, so excellent drainage. The assembly according to the invention is completed by removable plates for holding / retaining the substrate that can be placed at various locations chosen as required, such plates having notches and / or openings in the lower part for the passage of the water. At least one plate per lane shall be provided, placed in the lower position thereof.

To better illustrate the object of the present invention and to bring out other advantages, two particular embodiments will be described below, with reference to the appended drawing.

The present invention therefore relates to an assembly for producing or producing a vegetated surface on a structure such as roof, frame, terrace, wall, inclined wall of any building or fixed or mobile construction, such as building, house, cottage, cabin, bungalow, pergola, mobile home, said assembly being constituted by modular elements for receiving a substrate and plants growing on said substrate, said modular elements being able to be arranged or arranged on said structure along at least one oriented corridor from top to bottom, means being provided for the evacuation of the water downwards from said assembly, characterized in that the modular elements are each constituted by a bottom to which are connected two opposite side walls one to the other, said bottom and said side walls receiving said substrate and the plants growing thereon, with means for connecting the modul elements They are placed end to end by their open sides to form a corridor in which water can flow from top to bottom for drainage; and at least one device for holding / retaining the substrate is disposed transversely to the corridor, said device comprising at least one passage allowing drainage. According to a first particular feature of the invention, the bottom of each modular element internally has bosses and / or pins distributed on it to form obstacles slowing the flow of water and homogenizing this flow over the entire width of the modular element, said bosses and / or pins advantageously participating in the rigidity of the latter. Advantageously, the side walls of a modular element may comprise stiffening means or reinforcement of internal and / or external ribs type. According to another particular feature, the side walls are each folded outward along their opposite edges to the bottom to form parallel flanges at the bottom, said side walls and said flanges being further formed to allow interlocking said "in pool cue "of a modular element on an adjacent element in the corridor, with superposition of the bottoms and side walls of the two neighboring elements in the nesting regions. The modular elements may include means for their connection to adjacent elements of a neighboring corridor.

The flanges of a modular element can be folded towards the bottom along their free edges to form returns to the bottom, constituting means of interlocking with the adjacent modular element by covering the edges of the two adjacent modular elements , the one intended to be placed on the other being of greater width, said flanges being also likely to come to bear on a chevron framing a roof for example of a house or a pergola, all then forming the roof itself. According to another particular characteristic, at least one substrate holding / retaining plate can be adapted to fit at least in the lower modular element of a passage, at least one opening and / or indentation being made to the part bottom of each plate to allow drainage. The side walls of a modular element may include grooves for insertion of the holding / retaining plates by the two opposite side edges thereof. A modular element may be adapted to receive a holding / retaining plate at or near each of its open sides and optionally at least one retaining plate / retainer between these two end plates. A substrate holding / holding device may be composed of transverse wall elements raised from the bottom and arranged to provide a labyrinth path of the drainage water, a modular element possibly comprising at least one such holding device. retained, in particular three of these devices disposed in the vicinity of the side edges of the element and in the center thereof, a holding / retaining device may consist of two transverse wall elements not joined together in their central part, and by two wall elements facing said central portion and at a distance therefrom. A modular element may comprise, along each of its transverse edges, elements respectively male and female hooking modular elements together, with the interposition of fixing means or complementary attachment. A male fastening element may consist of a transverse rib and a female fastening means, a transverse groove, one or spaces that can be provided between groove and rib in the mounting position for insertion of a seal or glue. . According to another particular characteristic, the modular elements have received a draining substrate and, where appropriate, plants, said draining substrate advantageously comprising at least one mineral component chosen in particular from perlite, vermiculite, pozzolan and pumice and at least one organic component selected in particular from pine bark, for example maritime pine bark, coconut bark, sphagnum moss, composted bark such as composted maritime pine peel, fibrous blonde peat, fibrotourb, vegetable fibers, Baltic blonde fiber, hemp. A modular element may be made by molding a rigid plastic material such as polypropylene, said element being capable of being cut with a cutting tool to form the last shortened element of a corridor if this element is too long compared to the plan to be covered by the vegetated surface. When the assembly according to as defined above is intended to produce or produce a green wall, grids, for example metal grids or galvanized metal grids or plastic grids, may be provided to be placed on the floor. substrate in each modular element disposed vertically or substantially vertically.

On this drawing :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention being installed on the rafters forming the frame of a pergola roof;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular element of the assembly of Figure 1, for receiving the culture substrate and plants; Figure 3 is, on a larger scale, a plan view of the modular element of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the modular element of Figure 2, High side; FIG. 6 is, on an enlarged scale, a view of detail A of FIG. 1; - Figure 7 is a front view of a separator plate; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modular element according to a second embodiment of the present invention shown in the empty state in its receiving position of the culture substrate and plants, the bottom transverse side. being the one at the bottom of Figure 8; Figure 9 is a view of the element of Figure 8 in an inverted position; - Figure 10 is, on a larger scale, a top view of the modular element of Figure 8; Figures 11 and 12 are sectional views respectively along C-C and D-D of Figure 10; Figure 13 is an end view of the modular element of Figure 8, High side;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 1 of an assembly formed from modular elements as shown in Figures 8 to 13;

- Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the detail A of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a cutaway face of the assembly of Figure 14 mounted no longer on the frame of a pergola roof but against a vertical wall, a substrate fixing grid being in this case associated with each modular element only two of these grids being shown in Figure 16; and

Figure 17 is, on a larger scale, a partial longitudinal sectional view along the center line of the assembly mounted in the overlap portion.

With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that 1 has been designated as an assembly for producing a vegetated surface on the roof, for example, of a pergola, by setting up modular elements. 2 on the rafters 3 of the pergola. The elements 2 are intended to receive a substrate layer and the plants growing on this substrate. These elements 2 will generally be set up the state filled by the substrate, with the plants already installed on the latter. However, in the drawing, the elements 2 have been shown in the empty state to better see their structure. As can be seen in FIG. 2, an element 2 consists of a molded part made of a relatively rigid plastic material, such as polypropylene, comprising a bottom 4 of generally rectangular shape, folded upwards if we consider the position shown, along its two longitudinal edges, to form two side walls 5 flaring slightly outwardly from the vertical plane. Each of the walls 5 is folded outwards, forming a flange 6 substantially parallel to the bottom 4, each flange 6 being itself folded down straight at 7.

The bottom 4 internally carries nipples 8 whose role is indicated below. The walls 5 each have three grooves 9 inwardly, namely a groove in the vicinity of each of the free edges of the wall 5 and a central groove. These grooves 5, whose role is indicated below, start from the bottom 4 and extend to the upper part, where they open into the associated rim 6. They are formed by external bulges 10 of the walls 5 (see Figure 2).

The latter also internally comprise reinforcing ribs 11 between the grooves 5, these ribs 11 being formed by inward bulges 12 (see also FIG. 2). Furthermore, triangular reinforcements 13 bearing against both the bottom 4 and against a wall 5 are formed in the bottom of the modular elements 2. It can also be mentioned that the funds 4 widen slightly from a free edge to the bottom. the other, the first being indicated by the word "UP" inscribed on the bottom 4 and the second, by the word "BAS", also inscribed on the bottom 4. In effect, this allows a nesting type "pool cue" Modular elements 2 by their free end regions, a border marked "HIGH" cooperating with a border marked "BAS", with sufficient overlap of the bottoms 4, walls 5 and flanges 6 to ensure sealing. It goes without saying that nipples 8 are not formed along these borders to allow this nesting of adjacent modular elements 2 while maintaining the sealed lane formed by the succession of modular elements 2. Moreover, as can be seen on 6, the flange 6 on one side of an element 2 is wider than the flange 6 on the other side to allow the attachment of the elements 2 forming a corridor on the elements 2 of the neighboring corridor. The assembly 1 according to the invention also comprises plates 14 for holding / retaining the substrate, one of which is shown frontally in FIG. 7. These plates 14, also made of rigid plastics such as polypropylene, are here in general form. rectangular, and have three indentations 15 along their lower longitudinal edge 16 in the use position. Their side edges 17 are obliquely upwards in correspondence with the inclination of the walls 5 and their lower corners 18 are chamfered. The plates 14 are adapted to be inserted by their edges 17 in two opposite grooves 9 of an element 2. It goes without saying that there are no pins 8 in the regions of the funds 4 on which the plates 14 are likely to come to bear. The chamfers 18 facilitate the insertion of the plates 14.

In general, the plates 14 are introduced at least into the end regions of the modular elements 2 and the substrate is placed in the bottom of these elements. Plants are planted and grown in nurseries for example for 6 to 12 months. It is possible to provide a substrate thickness of 8 to 15 cm and more. If one wants to constitute a green roof on a pergola, one comes to place the modular elements 2 with their plates 14 and their plants to constitute the parallel corridors connected to each other laterally as illustrated in Figure 1, the edges 6 being able in this case hang on the rafters 3. It is possible if you wish to remove or add plates 14 according to the characteristics of the installation to be performed, for example its length, its slope, etc. In any case, keep the bottom plate. The water will then flow through the indentations 15 of the plates 14. As indicated, each corridor ends with a plate 14 and the water flowing from it will be directed into the system of collection and evacuation of water which usually equips a roof. The presence of the nipples 8 allows a distribution of water over the entire width of the substrate and therefore good irrigation plants.

It can also be noted that the last element 2 at the base of a corridor could be cut transversely if it proved to be too long. It is possible to produce green roofs with a weight of between 50 and 130 kg / cm 2, by way of example elements 2 with dimensions of 950 mm in length x 530 mm in width and a height of around 100 mm. .

Referring to Figures 8 to 13, it can be seen that a modular element according to a second embodiment of the present invention has been designated by 102.

The parts of the element 102 which are similar to the parts of the element 2 have been designated with the same numbers each time to which 100 has been added. Only the differences between the element 102 and the element 102 will now be described. element 2.

The bottom 104 of an element 102 has different inward bulges so as to form three labyrinthine regions in which the flow of the water is to be slowed down and distributed well distributed over the entire width of the labyrinth. element 102. These regions are located at the center of the element 102, and each of the two others in the vicinity of a transverse border of said element 102. Each region has two elongate bulges 119 (seen recessed in Figure 9) arranged in the transverse direction of the element 102, each leaving a side wall 105 and each ending in the vicinity of the mean longitudinal line of the element 102. The two bulges 119 each form an upstanding wall 120 projecting from the bottom 104 of the element 102, the two upstanding walls 120 being separated by a space 121 of water passage. The two upper corners facing the walls 120 are chamfered, which makes it possible to save material and guide the water falling on the element 102.

On both sides of these two walls 120 and parallel to them are formed two transverse wall elements 122 also from bulges 123 (Figure 9).

These transverse wall elements 122 extend in front of the space 121 but over a greater length, forming with the two associated upstanding walls 120 a labyrinth region allowing, as indicated above, the slowing down and distribution of the the entire width of the element 102. It may be noted that the transverse wall elements 122, with the exception of those situated at the edge of the element 102, extend at their base, opposite the 121, by a bulge 124 inwardly forming a boss 125 of reinforcement (Figure 9). Another inward bulge 126 (FIG. 9) forming a reinforcing boss 127 extends transversely between two facing bosses 125 at mid-distance therebetween. In the vicinity of the edge marked Top of the element 102, is formed a transverse rib 128 joined at its two ends by a gusset 129 to the side walls 105.

In the vicinity of the bottom bottom edge of the element 102, is formed a transverse groove 130 joined at its two ends by a gusset 131 to the side walls 105. When one overlaps two elements 102, the bottom edge of one just cover the top edge of the other (Figure 17). As can be seen in this Figure, the rib 128 is received in the groove 130, spacings 132 being formed on either side of the rib 128, these spacings 132 being intended to receive a seal or glue during assembly . The assembly 101 that can be formed with the elements 102 may be a roof but preferably a green wall as shown in Figure 16.

In this case, the elements 102 comprising substrate and plants are covered by grids 133 having orifices for the passage of plants, these grids being fixed on the elements 102 by screws 134.

In Figure 16, there is shown a grid with a particular form of orifices but it will be understood that there are many possibilities of shape and distribution of these holes. At the base of the plant wall mounted, we can have a strike-guard (not shown in the drawing). The cooperation of the grooves 128 and the ribs 132 is important to constitute a plant wall of great strength, which can support the weight of the substrates and plants over a great height.

Moreover, as indicated above, the passage of water is correctly distributed from top to bottom of the plant wall. The substrates must be the most draining possible and the following formulas A to D can be cited for these substrates:

Formula A: 10 cm thick substrate for green roof

25 - 25% composted maritime pine peel 0/20 25% fibrous blonde peat 5/40 50% perlite Fertilization: 2kg of organic fertilizer 5 / 3.5 / 8 approved organic farming 30 - pH = 5.5-6 EC = 0.8 ms / cm Formula B: 10 to 15 cm thick substrate for green roof

- 30% fibrotourbe 5/30 5 - 20% vegetable fiber 5/25 - 50% perlite - pH 6

Formula C: substrate more than 15 cm thick for 10 green roof

- 40% fibrotourbe 5/30 - 30% vegetable fiber 5/25 - 30% perlite 15 - 2 kg organic fertilizer 5 / 3,5 / 8 approved organic farming - pH 6

Formula D: substrate more than 15 cm thick for 20 green roofs

- 40% Baltic blonde fiber 5/90 - 20% fibrotourb 5/30 - 20% vegetable fiber 5/25 25 - 20% perlite - 2 kg organic fertilizer 5 / 3.5 / 8 approved organic farming - pH 6

Plantable plants that can be planted are, for example, sedums, semperivirums, perennials, grasses, ferns, mosses, preferably varieties resistant to spray, drought and strong frosts. Apart from its aesthetic and ecological results, a green roof according to the invention allows the regulation of rainwater and improves the thermal and sound protection of the building. It is understood that the embodiment which has been described above has been given as an indication and not limitation and that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, in particular: the modular elements 2 and the plates 14 could be made of a metallic material; the mounting of the modular elements 2 on an existing structure 15 is carried out by any means; the modular elements 2 can be placed on an existing roof or an existing flat structure, in which case the flanges 6 of adjacent elements 2 are interlocked with each other and can, if necessary, be secured by any means, such as screws, etc. 25

Claims (15)

CLAIMS1 - Assembly (1; 101) intended to realize or realizing a vegetated surface on a structure such as roof, frame, terrace, wall, inclined wall of any building or fixed or mobile construction, such as building, house, cottage, hut , bungalow, pergola, mobile home, said assembly (1; 101) being constituted by modular elements (2; 102) for receiving a substrate and plants growing on said substrate, said modular elements (2; 102) being suitable to be arranged or arranged on said structure according to at least one corridor oriented from top to bottom, means being provided for discharging the water downwards from said assembly (1; 101), characterized in that the modular elements (2; 102) each consist of a bottom (4; 104) to which are connected two opposite side walls (5; 105) to each other, said bottom (4; 104) and said side walls (5; 105) receiving said substrate and the vegeta ux pushing on it, with means for connecting the modular elements (2; 102) placed end to end by their open sides to form a corridor in which water can flow from top to bottom for drainage; and at least one device for holding / retaining the substrate is disposed transversely to the corridor, said device comprising at least one passage allowing drainage. 2 - assembly (1; 101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (4; 104) of each modular element (2; 102) has internally bosses (125; 127) and / or pins (8; 108) distributed thereon to constitute obstacles slowing the flow of water and homogenizing this flow over the entire width of the modular element (2; 102), said bosses (125; 127) and / or pins ( 8; 108) advantageously participating in the rigidity of the latter. 3 - assembly (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the side walls (5; 105) of a modular element (2; 102) comprise stiffening means or reinforcement type internal and / or external ribs. 4 - assembly (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side walls (5; 105) are each folded outwardly along their opposite edges to the bottom (4; ) to form flanges (6; 106) parallel to the bottom (4; 104), said side walls (5; 105) and said flanges (6; 106) being otherwise formed to allow snug fit Of a modular element (2; 102) on an element (2; 102) adjacent in the corridor, with superposition of the bottoms (4; 104) and lateral walls (5; 105) of the two elements (2; 102) neighbors in nesting areas. 5 - assembly (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the modular elements (2; 102) comprise means for their connection to adjacent elements (2; 102) of a neighboring corridor . 6 - assembly (1; 101) according to claims 4 and 5 taken simultaneously, characterized in that the flanges (6; 106) of a modular element (2; 102) are folded towards the bottom (4; 104) the along their free edges to form returns (7; 107) to the bottom (4; 104), constituting reciprocal hooking means with the adjacent modular element (2; 102) by overlapping flanges (6; ) of the two adjacent modular elements (2; 102), the one intended to move on the other being of greater width, said flanges (6; 106) being also likely to bear on a chevron (3; 103) of frame of a roof for example of a house or a pergola, the assembly (1; 101) then forming the roof itself. 7 - assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one plate (14) for holding / retaining the substrate is adapted to be inserted at least in the lower modular element (2) a corridor, at least one opening and / or indentation (15) being made at the bottom of each plate (14) to allow drainage. 8 - assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the side walls (5) of a modular element (2) comprise grooves (9) for insertion of the holding plates / retaining (14) by the two opposite side edges thereof. 9 - assembly (1) according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that a modular element (2) is adapted to receive a holding plate / retaining (14) at or near each of its sides open and optionally at least one holding / retaining plate (14) between these two end plates (14). 10 - assembly (101) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a device for holding / retaining the substrate is composed of transverse wall elements erected from the bottom (104) and arranged to ensure a labyrinth path of the drainage water, a modular element (102) possibly comprising at least one such holding / holding device, in particular three of these devices arranged in the vicinity of the lateral edges of the element (102) and in the center thereof, a holding / retaining device which can be formed by two transverse wall elements (120) not joined together in their central part (121), and by two wall elements (122) facing said central part ( 121) and away from it. 11 - assembly (101) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a modular element (102) comprises, along each of its transverse edges, respectively male and female element hooking elements modular with each other, with the interposition of fixing means or complementary fixing. 12 - assembly (101) according to claim 11, characterized in that a male coupling element consists of a transverse rib (128) and a female coupling means, a transverse groove (130), one or spaces (132) may be provided between groove (138) and rib (128) in mounting position for insertion of a seal or glue. 13 - assembly (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the modular elements (2; 102) have received a draining substrate and optionally the plants, said draining substrate advantageously comprising at least a mineral component chosen in particular from perlite, vermiculite, pozzolan and pumice and at least one organic component chosen in particular from pine bark, for example maritime pine bark, coconut bark, sphagnum moss, composted bark like composted maritime pine bark, fibrous blonde peat, fibrotourb, vegetable fiber, Baltic blonde fiber, hemp. 14 - assembly (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a modular element (2; 102) is made by molding a rigid plastic material such as polypropylene, said element (2; 102) being capable of being cut with a cutting tool to form the last shortened part of a corridor if this element is too long compared to the plane to be coated by the vegetated surface. 15 - assembly (1; 101) according to one of claims 1 to 14, for producing or producing a green wall, characterized in that grids (133), for example, metal grids or galvanized metal grids or plastic grids are provided to be placed on the substrate in each modular element arranged vertically or substantially vertically.